pizza dough

This is the best and easiest pizza dough recipe. I always make homemade dough because it takes no time and very little effort. It makes enough for two regular size round crusts, eight mini pizzas and/or one large round or rectangular crust. It just depends on how thick you want it so you can play around with it!. I always make the dough and split it into half. I use one half for a medium thin crust and then put the other half into a zip lock bag and put it into the freezer. Then when ever I want to make a crust, bread sticks, or calzones i just take it out of the freezer a few hours before dinner to thaw, and presto.... you're ready!

Ingredients:

2-3/4 to 3-1/4 cups flour

1 pkg. active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup warm water

2 tablespoons cooking oil or olive oil

1. In a large mixing bowl combine 1-1/4 cups of the flour, the yeast, and salt; add warm water and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

2. Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. ( about 6 minutes)

3. Divide (if you want) and cover left out dough and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll out and add toppings. Bake at 425 for 12 minutes or until done.

This is what your ball of dough should look like after you have finished kneading it. Now would be the time to put half in the freezer if you wanted to save half. Roll it out and top with sauce, cheese and all your favorites!!

Yummy! Rex loves homemade pizza and asks for it often, so we always make our favorite... BBQ chicken and pineapple. It turns out great every single time!

* one time I didn't add the oil and it turned out perfect, so that is how I make it everytime! Fat free crust!