Homemade Pizza Dough

Homemade Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast:
   In a large bowl, mix the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until it becomes frothy.
2. Make the Dough:
   Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead:
   Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
   (If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour—1 tablespoon at a time.)
4. First Rise:
   Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Shape & Use:
   Punch down the dough to release air. Roll it out to your desired thickness for pizza, top with sauce and toppings, and bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Homemade Doughnuts (Using the Same Dough Base!)

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup sugar (to sweeten the dough)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
• Optional: powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or glaze for topping

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   Follow the same steps for pizza dough, but mix in ¼ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons melted butter when you combine the ingredients. This makes the dough slightly sweeter and softer.
2. First Rise:
   Let the dough rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
3. Shape:
   Roll out the dough to about ½ inch thick. Use a round cutter (or glass) to cut circles, then cut smaller holes in the center for doughnuts.
4. Second Rise:
   Place the doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and let them rest for 30 minutes.
5. Fry:
   Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry each doughnut for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
6. Coat or Glaze:
   Drain on paper towels, then dust with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or dip in a simple glaze (mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla).

Tips:

• You can refrigerate the dough overnight for even better flavor.
• For baked doughnuts, bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, then glaze.
• The same dough can be used for breadsticks, garlic knots, or stuffed rolls!