Homemade Pizza Dough

We are DEFINITELY a family that KNOWS and LOVES pizza!  Our dad ran and owned a pizza business and, actually, the first half of our sisters and brothers worked for him making pizzas and helping out with the business.  Whenever my mom didn't feel up to, or was unable to make dinner (how can you blame her with 8 children to take of?), she would often call up and order between 4-5 pizzas to feed our large troop.  

Pizza is still a FAVORITE of ours, no matter how many times we had it for dinner growing up.  This is one of my favorite pizza dough recipes, and the great thing about it is that it makes enough dough for 2 pizzas.  After making and allowing the dough to rise, I always cut the dough in half and freeze the second portion for later use.  That way I ALWAYS have pizza dough on hand!  

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C warm water

1 T brown sugar

4 1/2 t dry yeast

1 t salt

1/4 C vegetable oil (or canola)

4 1/2 C flour

Directions:

Mix the warm water with the brown sugar.

Add the yeast to the water mixture and allow to stand about 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.

Add the salt and oil; mix.

Add the flour and mix until dough is firm and tender.  

Place in oiled bowl and allow dough to rise for 1-1 1/2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Cut dough in half and roll out, using extra flour, into a circle.

Place on pizza pan and allow the dough to rise an extra 30 minutes.

*Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

**Place desired toppings on top and bake until crust is brown on the edges.

*My next recipe that I am going to be posting is Barbeque Chicken Pizza on the Grill.  It is my favorite way to make pizza, and once you try baking your pizza on a grill, you will NEVER go back to using your oven when it comes to pizza making. 

**Make sure you check out our family's favorite pizza toppings with my next post!  I make it EVERY weekend for our little date night (once we put our little kiddo to bed of course!).