Basic Pizza Dough

Recipe courtesy Alex Guarnaschelli

Show: The Cooking LoftEpisode: By the Slice

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (13)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(13)

Prep Time:
25 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 (6-inch) pizzas

Times:

Prep: 25 min
Inactive Prep: 1 hr 30 min
Cook: --
Total:: 1 hr 55 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for rolling dough
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 scant tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus some additional for coating the bowl/greasing the trays

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Stir to dissolve the yeast and allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes.

Using a sieve or strainer, "sift" about half of the flour over the yeast mixture and blend until smooth with your hands. Add the salt, pepper and honey and mix to blend. Sift in the remaining flour and mix to blend.

Lightly flour a cutting board or flat surface. Turn the pizza dough onto the floured area and knead for 3 to 5 minutes. The flour should feel smooth and the ingredients fully integrated. Place the dough inside a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place, about 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in volume.

Press gently on the dough and turn it onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts, rolling each quarter into a loose ball. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rest for an additional 15 minutes. Flatten each ball, 1at a time, and roll into a 6-inch round. Place each round in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Tip for topping the pizza: Brushing the dough with olive oil can create a barrier that will help to prevent the topping from making the crust soggy.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

Buffalo Wing Pizza Roll-Up (team Robert version)

Photo: Basic Pizza Dough

Similar Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Comments & Reviews

recipe Basic Pizza Dough
Julie new york, NY 11-15-2009
Flag

first timer
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

i've never made my own pizza dough before and this was totally easy and fun. and delicious (despite my less than stellar... cooking techniques). there are definitely things i'd do differently next time. i would roll it thinner so as to get a thinner/crispier crust and i'd probably cook it longer. the recipe with the broccoli rabe pesto tells you to turn off the heat as soon as you put the dough in the skillet-- ultimately i found that silly and ended up turning the heat back on to finish the cooking. should have browned the crust longer though -- either in the oven or on the stove. the honey is nice -- i didn't use the pesto topping, rather used caramelized onions and figs. next time i would consider whether i was doing savory topping or a sweeter topping (like the onion/fig) and might omit some of the honey if i were going for a sweeter topping. i didn't need so much sweetness. lastly, i think i will try just popping the skillet in the oven after i do the pan fry thing (the pesto recipe doesn't call for this -- you're supposedto transfer to a baking sheet). eliminating additional dishes is always a good thing in my opinion. Read more
recipe Basic Pizza Dough
Jessica Minneapolis, MN 11-15-2009
Flag

Great pizza crust!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This crust was very good. Crispy on the outside and soft & fluffy inside! Delicious topped with marinara & tons of veggies.... Cheese isn't even needed.Read more
recipe Basic Pizza Dough
keith bokeelia, FL 11-11-2009
Flag

taste great and easy to make
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My picky wife even likes it. I cut it in four parts and refrigerate three to use at different days. I use them all in a... weeks time.Read more
recipe Basic Pizza Dough
Sara Forest Hills, NY 08-23-2009
Flag

Perfect
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I loved this pizza dough. Easy to make and it is delicious. I used it in her oven fried pizza recipe. Amazing!!
recipe Basic Pizza Dough
Evelyn Eugene, OR 07-10-2009
Flag

It's a keeper!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have tried so many times to find the right pizza dough recipe and this is it! When I went to put the dough onto an oiled... pan and spread it out, it didn't keep springing back like most doughs do. After I put the toppings onto the dough, it only took 13 minutes in a 425 degree F oven to be perfectly cooked through and light brown and crispy on the bottom! Delicious flavor! It just doesn't compare to store bought. (I changed it slightly: I put in granulated sugar instead of honey) -GREAT RECIPE! :)Read more
recipe Basic Pizza Dough
Donna saratoga springs, NY 06-30-2009
Flag

Super Light Pizza Dough
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've tried many homemade pizza dough recipes, and this recipe was noticeably lighter than all the others. I would attribute... this to the sifting of the flour into the yeast mixture. It rose beautifully and was light and delicious. Give this one a try! (I left out the honey, though - and it still was fantastic).Read more