All American Pizza Crust Recipes

PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix 1 cup of the flour, the sugar, salt and yeast. Add 3 tablespoons oil and the warm water. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough of the remaining flour until dough is soft and leaves side of bowl. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead 5 to 8 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; let rest 30 minutes.
• For Thin Crusts: Heat oven to 425°F. Grease two flat cookie sheets or 12-inch pizza pans with oil. Divide dough in half. Pat each half into 12-inch circle on one of the cookie sheets. Partially bake 7 to 8 minutes or until crusts just begin to brown. Add desired toppings; bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. For Thick Crusts: Grease two 8-inch square pans, or two 9-inch round pans with oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Divide dough in half. Pat each half in bottom of one of the pans. Cover loosely with clean kitchen towel; let dough rise in warm place 30 to 45 minutes or until almost doubled in size. Move oven racks to lowest positions. Heat oven to 375°F. Partially bake 20 to 22 minutes or until crust just begins to brown. Add desired toppings; bake about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

THE BEST PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar; add yeast and whisk until dissolved. Let stand until bubbles form on surface. In a large bowl, whisk 3 cups flour, salt, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and, if desired, dried herbs. Make a well in center; add yeast mixture and oil. Stir until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead, adding more flour to surface as needed until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes; transfer bowl to refrigerator and chill overnight. Allow dough to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes, before rolling.

THE BEST PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, sugar, dry milk, butter or margarine, yeast, and warm water. Gather into a ball. Turn out an a lightly floured surface, and knead until the dough is smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a damp cloth, and place in a warm spot for 2 hours.
• Punch down the dough. Roll out to fit a 14 inch pizza pan. Allow to rise until doubled in size.
• Bake at 375 degrees F ( 190 degrees C) until crust is a very light brown color. Remove from oven.
• Place desired toppings on the pizza. Bake for 20 minutes, or until toppings are done.

ALL-AMERICAN PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• In a mixer bowl, combine 1 cup flour, yeast and salt; mix well.
• Combine water and oil; heat to 120 - 130 F, add to flour mixture.
• Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a firm dough. Knead on floured surface 3 - 5 minutes.
• Divide dough into 2 parts. With well-floured or greased fingers, press each half into greased 12 or 14-inch pizza pan. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of your favorite shredded cheese over dough to prevent a soggy crust.
• Spread prepared pizza sauce on each pizza (approximately 3/4 cup of sauce per pizza).
• Add your favorite toppings. Cover with shredded cheese of your choice.
• Bake at 400°F for 25 - 30 minutes (see NOTE below) until edge is crisp and light golden brown and cheeses are melted. Serve immediately.
• Note: It may not take the full time. In my oven, it was about 20 minutes.

FOCACCIA PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the focaccia dough ingredients.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the warm water, honey, and yeast until combined; let stand for 5 minutes. Alternatively, use a large bowl and mix by hand.
• Add 2 1/4 cups of the flour, salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil-mix to create a shaggy dough, scraping down the bowl occasionally.
• Switch to the dough hook; add enough of the remaining 1/2 cup flour to make a sticky dough, mixing on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes, or knead with hands on a lightly floured surface. The dough should be sticky, so try to avoid adding too much flour.
• Grease a large bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, covered, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a rimmed 10 x 15-inch, or 9 x 13-inch sheet pan.
• Place the dough in the pan and let it rest for 15 minutes-this will relax the dough, making it easier to stretch and form to the pan.
• Gently stretch the dough to fit in the pan. Cover it loosely and let it rise for 20 minutes longer. Meanwhile, position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 450 F. Bake the Pizza
• Gather the toppings and the risen dough.
• Dimple the dough all over with fingertips, transfer to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
• Remove the par-baked focaccia from the oven. Evenly spread the focaccia with pizza sauce to taste. Top evenly with sliced mozzarella cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
• Return the focaccia to the oven and bake until the cheese melts and the crust is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes longer.
• Remove the pizza to a rack. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
• Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and scatter the fresh basil evenly over the pizza. Slice and serve immediately.