Homemade Pizza- Making the Pizza Dough

A great pizza dough recipe is key to a great pizza. I have tried many different recipes but this one from Cook's Illustrated is the best one I have found.

Ingredients:

½ cup warm water (about 110°)
1 envelope (2 ¼ tsp.) instant yeast
1 ¼ 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 ½ tsp. salt
olive oil or non-stick cooking spray for greasing the bowl

Step by Step 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.

5. Stop the mixer and replace the paddle with the dough hook. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5-8 minutes.

6. Spray a bowl with oil. I like this spray from Crisco.

7. 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. It helps to weigh out the flour but I don't have a kitchen scale and go by feel alone.

8. 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 ½ to 2 hours.

9. The dough should double in size. At this point, you'll want to punch down the dough to deflate it.

10. Then transfer it to a lightly floured work surface and knead it slightly. Divide the dough in half. If you are not using right away, wrap it in plastic wrap and place in a gallon size freezer bag and place in the freezer. If you are using right away, cover it with plastic and let it rest for 10-20 minutes.

After the dough rests, you may use it to make your pizza.