Pizza Dough

An easy recipe for pizza dough. I have played around with this recipe for a while now and I found a way to make it even easier.  This dough is perfect for baking in the oven and on the BBQ. This will make two large pizzas.  Best not to freeze this dough.  I found the original recipe on Rachael Ray's website but I have made some changes that work for me.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/4 tsp dry yeast (one 1/4 ounce pkg)
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 4 1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS - BY HAND:

1. Preheat the oven to 170F.
2. Place the water in a medium bowl. Stir in the sugar and yeast and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
3. In a large glass bowl, combine 3 cups flour and the salt.  Make a well in the centre, pour in the yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon; the dough will fell sticky and elastic.
4. Transfer to a floured work surface and dust with some of the remaining flour. Knead for 7 to 8 minutes, adding flour a little at a time as necessary until the dough is smooth and springy.
5. Turn off the oven. 
6. Wash and dry the glass bowl, then lightly grease with oil or cooking spray.
7. Return the dough to the bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the warm oven.  Let the dough rise until double.  About 30 minutes.
8. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and cut in half; wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap until ready to use.

DIRECTIONS - BY STAND MIXER:

1. Preheat oven to 170F.
2. In your mixer bowl, stir in sugar yeast and water.  Let it stand and become foamy, about 10 minutes.
3. Add salt and mix.
4. Using the dough hook on the mixer, add flour, 1 cup at a time.  You will have enough flour once the dough comes off the side of the bowl easily.
5. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and beat for 5 minutes.
6. Turn off the oven.
7. Roll the dough in a large ball and place in a grease large glass bowl.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
8. Place the dough into the warm oven.  Let the dough rise, should double in size.  This takes about 30 minutes.
9. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and cut in half; wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap until ready to use.

Pizza Dough (printable)