Basic Pizza Dough Recipe
This basic pizza dough recipe is enough to make three small pizzas, and you can prepare it using a food processor or stand mixer.If you're using a food processor, follow the recipe as written. If you're using a stand mixer, combine the yeast, sugar and water directly in the mixer bowl. Give it a few spins with the dough hook and then let stand for five minutes before adding the flour, salt and oil.
If your oven has a "proofing" setting, you can use that. Otherwise, set the bowl somewhere warm, like on top of your oven, or anywhere that's about 85°F.
See also: How to Make a Pizza.
Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. all-purpose flour (about 4 cups sifted)
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp table salt
- 1 packet dry yeast
- 1¼ cups warm (110°F) water
Preparation:
- Combine the water, sugar and yeast in a glass bowl and stir for a few seconds. Let stand about 5 minutes or until a layer of foam appears on top and the mixture gives off a strong yeasty smell.
- Combine the flour, olive oil and salt in a food processor. Add the yeast mixture and pulse until the dough comes together in a single sticky mass.
- Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead for about a minute or until a smooth ball forms.
- Transfer the ball to an oiled glass bowl (smooth side up) and cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Place the bowl in a warm place for about 40 minutes or until the dough has doubled in volume.
- Turn the dough back onto a floured surface, punch it down, and knead for a few seconds, then form back into a ball. Return to an oiled bowl, covered in plastic, for another half hour or until it again doubles in volume.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface once again, punch it down until flat, and cut it into three equal portions. Now form each of these three portions into a ball.
- Brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil and either wrap in plastic and refrigerate or use right away.
