Pizza Dough

Ingredients

• Yields: Enough dough to make 1 large or 2 medium pizzas
• 1/2 cup warm water (about 110�)
• 1 envelope (2 1/4 tsp.) instant yeast
• 1 1/4 cups water, at room temperature
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cups bread flour, plus (about 1/3 cup) more for dusting and as needed
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• olive oil or non-stick cooking spray for greasing the bowl

Directions

1. Measure the warm water into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Sprinkle in the yeast and let stand until the yeast dissolves and swells, about 5 minutes.
2. Place the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer* fitted with the paddle attachment. Briefly combine the dry ingredients at low-speed.
3. Add the room temperature water and oil to the yeast water and stir to combine.
4. Slowly add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and continue to mix at low-speed until a cohesive mass forms. Stop the mixer and replace the paddle with the dough hook. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5-8 minutes. Using non-stick cooking spray, spray the inside of a large bowl.
5. After 5-8 minutes in the mixer, get ready to remove the dough. Your dough should be a little sticky and springy. If it is too sticky and messy add more flour and mix to combine ingredients.
6. Once the dough is the right consistency, shape it into a ball and put it in the oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The dough should double in size. At this point, you�ll want to punch down the dough to deflate it.
7. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead it slightly. Divide the dough in half. If you are using right away, cover it with plastic and let it rest for 10-20 minutes.
8. *The directions for a stand mixer, but if you don�t have a stand mixer, you can simply knead the dough by hand.
9. *Freezer-Friendly Tip* � Wrap leftover dough twice in plastic wrap, then place in a zip-lock freezer bag and place in the freezer. To defrost, simply leave it in the refrigerator overnight or out on the counter for a few hours before use.