Homemade Pizza Dough

Homemade pizza dough is easy to make and this recipe creates a tender, chewy crust. Not too thick, not too thin. Best of all, you can top your homemade pizza dough with whatever pizza toppings you like best!

I have two of the most awesome cats in the world. They are unlike any other cats Ive ever know. They have the best personalities. I love that they never snub me and don't scratch or bite *unless being played with.* They come when called, play fetch and are all around cute, adorable lights of my life.

But some days... Some days their over aggressive awesome personalities drive me up a wall. Sewing machine + cat that must be in your lap = fail. Every time I put one down today the other popped into my lap. There was non-stop nudging to be pet. Non-stop mews. Non-stop kitty cuddle time... And all I wanted was to knock out a few projects today. Only one got done before I realized any more stunt sewing with cat in lap would end in tragedy and I threw in the towel. And now, as I sit here writing this post about my frustration at my cats, they are no where to be found. Cuddled and content with their doings for the day....

So tonight, I considered making Chinese.... >.> but made homemade pizza dough and gobbled up a personalized pizza instead.

Homemade Pizza Dough

recipe from a secret test kitchen

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup water (as hot as you can get it from the tap), then add by Tablespoonfuls if you need to
• 4 cups unbleached white flour (all-purpose)
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste- you really don't need the full amount)

Directions:

1) Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup of the water. Yeast should become foamy (5-10 minutes). Add to 1 cup warm water.

2) Add flour to bowl and make a well in the center. Gradually stir the yeast and water mixture into the well. Add the olive oil and salt. Gather the dough and knead it until it comes together and forms a ball.
*You may have to add more flour and/or water depending on if it's sticky or too dry- you will know by how it feels. Do not overknead.

3) Let the dough double in bulk in a lightly oiled bowl (overnight in the refrigerator is best). Punch the dough down and let it rest on a lightly floured surface covered with a damp towel. Let it come to room temperature. ** Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. If you are using a baking stone, put it in the oven now.

4) Stretch the dough gently with your hands into desired shape. Let the dough rise in a warm place, covered, for 15 minutes before topping or filling and baking.

5) Lightly oil baking pans if they are metal or use a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal (trust me, this works better than flour) and a baking stone already preheated in the oven.  Add any sauces and/or toppings to the top of the dough. Bake pizzas until they are done (this can be anywhere from 7-15 minutes).

6) Eat and enjoy!

I've got a long way to go before I can title myself a homemade pizza dough expert.

The dough came out fine, but needs to be kicked up, the sauce and cheese were all just bland. I will have to do some more research and chat with my BFs mom who makes a good pizza - not to mention the secret test kitchen recipe provider for what I could do better.

Told ya they were cute. 🙂