Homemade Pizza Dough

Homemade Pizza Dough

 

1 pkg active dry yeast (or ¾ T jar yeast)

1 C warm water

½ t salt

1 t dried oregano

2 t olive oil

2  ½ C- 3 ½ C AP flour

If you do not own a Kitchen Aid (or other stand mixer) DO NOT FEAR! This is so easy, and totally worth the time spent kneading. 

Disolve yeast in warm water in a warmed mixer bowl. Turn your oven on to 500 degrees.

Add salt, oregano, olive oil and 2 ½ C flour. 

Attach bowl and dough hook to mixer. Turn to Speed 2 and mix 1 min. If you don't have a mixer, take your trusty wooden spoon and stir until the flour is combined. Turn the oven OFF!

Add remaining flour, ½ C at a time and mix on Speed 2 until dough clings to hook and cleans side of bowl, about 2 min. Knead on Speed 2 about 2 min longer. Without a mixer, continue to stir with your spoon until it becomes too difficult to stir. Add remaining four and mix with your hands. Lift the dough from the bowl and sprinkle some flour onto the bottom. Replace dough and knead, by hand, for 8-10min until dough no longer sticks to your hands and cleans the sides of the bowl. Add flour as needed. The texture of the dough should be similar to play-doh when it is ready. Form dough into a ball.

Grease your same mixer bowl (why dirty another dish?) and plop your dough down in the center.  Cover & let rise 1 hour in your warmed oven.  When dough has doubled in bulk, punch it down. Cover and let it rest while you gather your sauce, toppings and cheese.

Brush pizza pan with oil. Press dough across bottom. Add toppings. Bake at 450 for 15-20min.