Pizza Dough - Basic Dough For Pizza Or French Bread Recipe

How to make it

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• Put water, half of the flour, and all of the yeast into bowl. Using dough hook attachment, mix until just combined; let sit for approx 15 - 30 minutes.
• Add the rest of flour, olive oil and sugar to dough mixture. (Optional: can add herb seasonings if you'd like)
• Mix on low speed just until combined. Scrape down sides of bowl. Turn mixer back on, and mix on medium speed for 3 - 4 minutes; this is when dough will develop. (* If dough is too sticky, add more bread flour). Dough must form a ball around the hook. None of dough mixture should be stuck on sides of mixing bowl All of the dough should be formed around the hook.
• Remove dough and place into a bowl coated with olive oil; place a clean kitchen towel over the bowl. Dough must rest until it doubles in size. (I suggest placing bowl on warm stove-top. This will help dough to rise.) Once dough has doubled, punch in the middle, making sure all of the air has been released. Fold over and form into a tight ball. Return to warm stove-top, cover with towel and let rise one more time.
• Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
• Using a pastry brush, coat a half-sheet pan with olive oil. Place dough onto pan, and working with your fingers, spread dough all over bottom and sides of pan. Work dough up and over top edges of pan. Let sit/rest for 5 minutes.
• After dough has rested for 5 minutes, LIGHTLY coat with olive oil using a pastry brush. Place pan on middle oven rack, and bake just until you see the crust has a light golden color.
• Remove from oven and assemble your pizza with sauce, seasonings, cheese, and toppings of your choice.
• Return pan to oven, placing pan on top of a pizza stone. Bake for another 15 - 20 minutes., OR until BOTTOM of crust is a light golden color. (crust has a much nicer texture with the stone, but if you don't have one it's okay. I do suggest purchasing one if you don't)
• Let sit for 10 minutes before cutting.
• * This recipe will make one large crust.
• * We bake this on the grill even more often than in the oven. Really good!