San Diego Mama Favorite: Pizza Dough Recipe

I love homemade pizza. Especially using the following homemade pizza dough recipe. It is easy to make, quick cooking, and just the perfect thickness and texture. Here are a few of our favorite ways to dress up this tasty dough:

• You can't go wrong with homemade pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella and pepperoni
• Top it with BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, red onions, pineapple and your cheese of choice
  
• Drizzle it with olive oil, fresh chopped basil, chopped garlic, and fresh Parmesan (serve with marinara)
  

Pizza Dough
(Makes 2 lbs of dough or 3 (12 inch) pizzas. I split the recipe in
half to make 1 pizza to fit on a 16-inch pizza stone)

4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 1/4 tsp. yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. olive oil
1 3/4 cups warm water

1. In a kitchen aid, blend the 4 cups of flour, yeast and salt with a
dough hook until combined. With the mixer running, pour the oil then
the water until a rough ball forms, 30-40 seconds. Let the dough rest
for 2 minutes then mix for 1 minute.
2. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured counter top and knead by hand
to form a smooth, round ball, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 1/4
cup of flour as needed. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl.
cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled - 1
to 1 1/2 hours.
3. Place an oven rack to the lower-middle position. Place a baking
stone in the oven and heat the oven to 500 degrees for at least 30
minutes.
4. Divide the dough into 3 even pieces. Shape the pieces into a
smooth round. Keep the pieces covered when you are not working with
the dough so they won't dry out.
5. Uncover one ball and shape it into a 12-inch round on parchment
paper, so it won't stick to the counter or the pizza stone. (You
don't have to do this step, but it works. You can just do it on the
counter with some flour.) Transfer to the pizza stone and add the
sauce and toppings. Bake 8-13 minutes, until the crust is brown and
the cheese is golden in spots

Enjoy!