Casey’s Favorite Homemade Pizza Crust

I have tried lots of homemade pizza crusts, and this one makes me the happiest! It is simple to make, and has a sort of “boboli” type texture to it and it can be changed up depending on your mood – all the seasonings are based on an italian, garlic flavored pizza crust, but you could change the seasonings into anything that suits your fancy! We try to make homemade pizza frequently around here. I originally found this on an email list I belonged to called, “The friendly Freezer” Her directions were for making it in the bread machine, I adapted it to work in my Kitchen Aid Mixer instead, but it can also very easily be handmade.

I think we should use the comment section for posting our favorite topping combinations!! I dare ya!!

 

Casey’s Favorite Homemade Pizza Crust:

INGREDIENTS

1 C Water                                         1 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp Olive oil                             2 Tbsp parmesan cheese

3 C all purpose flour                     1/2 tsp italian seasoning

1 tsp minced garlic                        2 and 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (or one packet)

1 tsp salt                                          Parmesan Cheese to sprinkle over the edges of the crust

 

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1. Add all the  dry ingredients except for the second parmesan cheese to the kitchen aid.
2. Make a well and add the wet ingredients (it’s a good idea to put the garlic down inside the flour so it doesn’t slow the yeast)
3. knead with the dough hook on low speed (2-3) for several minutes (if by hand, 5-10 minutes) until nice and elastic
4. If placing in a breadmaker, set for dough setting.
5. Grease two round pizza pans or 1 large cookie sheet. I like to use butter – it gives an amazing taste!
6. When finished kneading, form two crusts on two round pizza pans. Roll with a rolling pin, or try your hand at “tossing”
7. Cover and let rise in a warm place. Bake for 5-10 minutes on 450* before topping. You can freeze it at this point if you make small personal pizza sized ones!
8. Top and bake as you normally would your favorite pizza!

 

NOTES/TIPS:

***To make with a  kitchen aid, put the warm water in a pre-warmed mixer bowl. Add yeast and sugar and let it dissolve and begin to get a little foamy. Add the oil, then remaining ingredients, mix with the dough blade on setting “2” until the dough comes together and then for 2 more minutes.

*** I was in a hurry once to get dinner on the table, so I didn’t even let it rise for more than the time it took me to chop ingredients for the toppings. It turned out just fine!