Making Flaky Pizza Crust Recipes

FLUFFY YET CRUSTY PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE

Steps:

• Add all the dry ingredients into the bread machine pan; add the oil and then pour the warm water over. Set cycle to dough settings and allow the bread machine to do its thing. (My cycle was 1 hour and 30 minutes.)
• DIRECTIONS FOR STAND MIXER: Dissolve the yeast in warm water and set aside. Place the dry ingredients into the bowl of the mixer; add the oil. Turn the mixer on low speed and slowly pour in the water/yeast mixture. Knead the dough for 10 minutes. Cover and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until doubled. Roll the dough out; top with toppings and allow another hour or so to rise before baking.
• Cut out two (16" wide) pieces of parchment paper. Place on a flat surface; dust with flour and set aside.
• Once the dough cycle has finished (or when the dough has finished rising after kneading) transfer dough onto a floured surface.
• Cut the dough into two equal pieces and flip over. Take the ends of each piece and pinch together to form a ball.
• Roll the dough out into an 11"-12" circle. Transfer onto parchment paper; top with desired toppings and allow prepared pizzas to rise for 45 min.
• Place two baking sheets upside down onto the bottom rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 415 degrees F with the baking sheets inside. While the oven is preheating allow the dough to rise an additional 15 min (about the time the oven preheats.)
• Slide the parchment paper with the pizza on top onto a large tray or cutting board. Then carefully slide the parchment paper onto the hot baking sheets and bake one pizza at a time for 14-16 minutes.
• Remove the pizza by dragging the parchment paper onto a cutting board and slice.

PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine. While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough forms into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.
• Grease a large bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 hour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Cover each with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for 10 minutes.

THE BEST PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar; add yeast and whisk until dissolved. Let stand until bubbles form on surface. In a large bowl, whisk 3 cups flour, salt, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and, if desired, dried herbs. Make a well in center; add yeast mixture and oil. Stir until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead, adding more flour to surface as needed until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes; transfer bowl to refrigerator and chill overnight. Allow dough to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes, before rolling.

FLAKY THIN CRUST CHICAGO INSPIRED PIZZA

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the cubed, chilled butter and using your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it is mostly incorporated, you want to have small butter lumps. Add the chopped garlic. In a large measuring cup, combine the warm water and instant yeast. Add to the flour mixture and, using a fork, combine until the mixture is evenly moistened. Knead the dough in your hands or on a lightly floured surface for one minute or so until the dough is smooth. Divide the dough in two, shape into balls, cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
• While the dough sits, you can start on the tomato sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for about 30 seconds. Add the herbs, salt, and both black and red peppers, and cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, wine and sugar, and bring it all to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens, usually 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sauce cool before using.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (or as hot as your oven will get). Seriously, the hotter the oven, the better. If using a pizza stone, preheat it along with the oven.
• It's time to shape the dough. Take one piece of dough and shape into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. I use a rolling pin to make it completely even, but you can also just use your hands (use a light touch). With a fork, prick the entire surface of the dough and bake for approximately 8-10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, and let it cool for 5 minutes. Top with tomato sauce, and add your favorite toppings. Going TOO thick on toppings may result in a soggy crust so be careful. Return to the oven and bake for another 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and begins to brown. Repeat with the second half of dough or store it in your fridge for later!

QUICK AND EASY PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baker's peel dusted with cornmeal. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.

THE REAL CHICAGO DEEP DISH PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water in a bowl. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam.
• Combine yeast mixture, flour, corn oil, and kosher salt in a large stand mixer with a hook attachment; knead until dough holds together but is still slightly sticky, about 2 minutes.
• Form dough into a ball and transfer to a buttered bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with a towel and allow dough to rise at room temperature until double in size, 6 hours.
• Punch down dough and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Press dough into a 10-inch deep dish pizza pan.

MAKING FLAKY PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• 1. On dry work surface, roll dough into 15- by 12-inch rectangle. 2. Spread softened butter over dough leaving 1/2-inch border along edges. 3. Starting at short end closest to you, roll dough into tight cylinder. 4. Flatten cylinder into 18- by 4-inch rectangle. Halve crosswise. 5. Fold each dough piece into thirds; pinch seams to form balls. 6. Let balls rise in refrigerator 40 to 50 minutes to chill butter. 7. Roll out each ball into 13-inch disk about 1/4 inch thick. 8. Transfer disks to pans; press into corners and up sides.