How to Make the Perfect Pizza Dough

Making delicious dough for homemade pizza, calzones or focaccia is a lot easier than you may think! Follow these simple steps to master the art of pizza with our clever tips!

Ingredients:

• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 10 mL (2 tsp) sugar
• 500 mL (2 cups) warm water
• Appx. 1.5 L (6 cups) flour
• 30 mL (2 tbsp) olive oil
• 5 mL (1 tsp) salt

Directions:

1. Dissolve the yeast and sugar in a bowl of 250 mL (1 cup) warm water. Let sit for 15 minutes, until the yeast foams.
2. Add 1.25 L (5 cups) of flour into a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
3. Pour the yeast mixture, the rest of the water, the oil and the salt into the well, then mix.
4. Transfer onto your workspace and knead vigorously for 12 minutes, adding flour as needed.

Tip: Never add all the flour at once. Always keep a little to add as you knead, but only if the dough sticks to your fingers and palms. The dough must remain supple, elastic and soft under your fingers.



5. Place the ball of dough in a clean, oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for around 90 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
6. Fold the dough onto itself and knead for two minutes.
7. Place the ball of dough in a clean, oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap again.
8. Let the dough rise for around 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
9. Preheat the oven to 190 °C (375 °F).
10. Shape the dough as desired. You can opt for an oval or square pizza, or even a focaccia. Transfer onto a baking sheet and let rise for 15 minutes.



11. Add toppings to create the recipe of your choice. Bake in the middle of the oven for around fifteen minutes, or according to your recipe, until the crust becomes golden.