Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast, granulated sugar, and warm water. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes, or until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, combine the flour and salt.
3. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
4. Stir the mixture together until a rough dough forms.
5. If using a stand mixer, knead the dough on low speed for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
6. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.
7. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning to coat.
8. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
9. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions for thin crust pizzas or leave it whole for thicker crust pizzas.
10. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
11. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza pan or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
12. Add your favorite toppings and bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are bubbly and cooked through.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Rise Time: 1-2 hours | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: Makes enough dough for 2 medium pizzas or 1 large pizza