Ingredients
- 1 package active dry or fresh yeast
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 cup warm water, 105 to 115 degrees
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for brushing
- Toppings of your choice
Directions
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in 1/4-cup warm water.
In a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour and the salt. Add the oil, the yeast mixture, and the remaining 3/4 cup of water and mix on low speed until the dough comes cleanly away from the sides of the bowl and clusters around the dough hook, about 5 minutes. (The pizza dough can also be made in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse once or twice, add the remaining ingredients, and process until the dough begins to form a ball.)
Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead by hand 2 or 3 minutes longer. The dough should be smooth and firm. Cover the dough with a clean, damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes. (When ready, the dough will stretch as it is lightly pulled).
Divide the dough into 4 balls, about 6 ounces each. Work each ball by pulling down the sides and tucking under the bottom of the ball. Repeat 4 or 5 times. Then on a smooth, unfloured surface, roll the ball under the palm of your hand until the top of the dough is smooth and firm, about 1 minute. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let rest 15 to 20 minutes. At this point, the balls can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Place a pizza stone on the middle rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
To prepare each pizza, dip the ball of dough into flour, shake off the excess flour, place the dough on a clean, lightly floured surface, and start to stretch the dough. Press down on the center, spreading the dough into an 8-inch circle, with the outer border a little thicker than the inner circle. If you find this difficult to do, use a small rolling pin to roll out the dough. Lightly brush the inner circle of the dough with oil and arrange the topping of your choice over the inner circle.
Using a lightly floured baker's peel or a rimless flat baking tray, slide the pizza onto the baking stone and bake until the pizza crust is nicely browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Remember that the oven is very hot and be careful as you place the pizza into and out of the oven. Transfer the pizza to a firm surface and cut into slices with a pizza cutter or very sharp knife. Serve immediately.
















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By truwhite_11011746
Somis, CA
on October 16, 2012
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I have been using this recipe for over 10 years. I have been making pizza at home for over 30 years. I have tried other recipes, including complicated ones using a biga, or prefermented starter dough on one day and finishing the dough up the next day. A biga is supposed to add a more complex flavor and a more open texture to the dough. I found that if I just let the dough made with this recipe sit, covered carefully with plastic wrap and coated with EVOO, in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days, I get the same, or a better flavor and texture than the more complicated recipes, crispy bottom crust yet chewy texture. You need to let the dough come up to room temp before you use it for pizza, It is still great made and used on the same day. A pizza stone makes a huge difference. Make sure you preheat your stone for at least 1 hour for the best results. Great recipe!
By Boardfly
Lincoln, CA
on May 19, 2011
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This was an easy reciepe to make. I definately need to work on my dough working/shaping. I'll use it again. Thank you
By automata
Deer Park, TX
on January 30, 2011
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Very easy recipe, makes a great, tasty pizza dough. I don't use a dough hook but mix everything by hand. Works out just fine.
Read all 35 reviews