Homemade Pizza Dough

Get ready to embark on a dough-tastic adventure in the realm of homemade pizza! Picture this: warm, cheesy slices of heaven, crisp yet pillowy crust, and your taste buds doing the happy dance. Yes, my friend, we're about to dive headfirst into the wonderful world of making your own pizza dough. Trust me, it's a journey worth taking because nothing beats the satisfaction of biting into a slice of pizza made from scratch. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your rolling pin (or a wine bottle if that's what you have on hand), and let's create a dough masterpiece that will leave your friends and family begging for more. Get ready to knead, toss, and bake your way to pizza perfection. Let's go on this dough-licious adventure together, where even the failures taste pretty darn good!

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ¼ cups warm water (around 110°F/43°C)

Now, let's get our hands dough-y:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes frothy. Consider it the magic spell that brings your dough to life.
2. Once the yeast is all bubbly and excited, add the salt and olive oil to the bowl. Mix them in, making sure they're well incorporated with the yeast mixture.
3. Slowly add the flour, one cup at a time, while stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula. As the dough starts to come together, switch to using your hands to knead it. Embrace the dough's squishy texture and channel your inner pizza maestro.
4. Keep kneading the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add a sprinkle of flour. If it's too dry, moisten your hands with a bit of water and continue kneading.
5. Once your dough reaches its dough-lightful state, shape it into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours. This is where the dough gets its yoga on and doubles in size. Namaste, dough!
6. After the dough has risen to glorious proportions, punch it down gently (yes, it deserves a gentle punch for being so good) to release any air bubbles that have formed. (if you plan on freezing the dough for later use, stop here and read the Notes at the bottom of this article)
7. Flour a clean surface and transfer the dough onto it. Divide the dough into two equal portions if you're making two pizzas or keep it as one if you're feeling extra hungry.
8. Now comes the fun part! Dust your rolling pin (or wine bottle) with flour and roll out the dough into your desired pizza shape—round, square, or even a dinosaur shape if you're feeling adventurous. Go wild!
9. Transfer your rolled-out dough onto a baking sheet or pizza stone. At this point, it's time to let your imagination run wild with toppings. Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, fresh basil—pile them on and make it your own edible masterpiece. If you're in need of some inspiration, check out our huge collection of Pizza Recipes here!
10. Preheat your oven to a blazing hot temperature of 475°F (245°C). Pop your pizza in and bake it for 12-15 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is irresistibly bubbly.
11. Once your pizza emerges from the oven, exercise your self-control for a brief moment and let it cool for a minute or two. Then, slice it up, and get ready to indulge in the sensational creation you've just baked with love.

So, gather your ingredients, unleash your inner pizza artist, and get ready to make the most mouthwatering homemade pizza of your dreams. Remember, even if your dough toss goes a bit wonky or your crust isn't perfectly circular, it's all part of the joyous journey. Enjoy the process, embrace the imperfections, and savor every delicious bite. Bon appétit, my pizza-loving friend!

Notes

Ah, I see you're a pizza visionary, planning ahead for future cravings. No worries! If you're not planning to use the dough right away, you can absolutely save it for later pizza adventures. Here's what you can do:

Here's how you can freeze your pizza dough:

1. After Step 6 of the recipe, instead of letting the dough rise, shape it into a ball and coat it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking and drying out.
2. Place the dough in a freezer-safe bag, squeezing out any excess air before sealing it tightly. Alternatively, you can wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag.
3. Label the bag with the date and contents for easy reference in the future.
4. Pop the bag of dough into the freezer, where it will happily wait until your next pizza adventure.

Now, when the pizza craving strikes, follow these steps to thaw and use the frozen dough:

1. Remove the dough from the freezer and transfer it to the refrigerator. Let it thaw overnight or for approximately 8-12 hours. Slow thawing in the refrigerator helps maintain the dough's texture and quality.
2. Once thawed, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. This will allow the dough to come to room temperature and become more pliable.
3. Proceed with Steps 8 to 11 of the original recipe to roll out the dough, add your favorite toppings, and bake it to golden perfection.

By freezing your pizza dough, you'll have a convenient stash of dough ready to be transformed into mouthwatering pizzas whenever you desire. It's like having a homemade pizzeria at your fingertips! Just remember to keep track of the freezing date, as pizza dough is best used within 1 to 3 months for optimal quality.

So go ahead, freeze that dough and be prepared to conquer those pizza cravings like a champion. Your future self will be forever grateful for the deliciousness that awaits!