This post is by Leigh Ann from Intentional By Grace.
We love pizza! Now that we’re including our toddler more in the kitchen making homemade pizza dough has become a new favorite task. However, every time he enters the kitchen, no matter what we’re actually making, he thinks he’s making “can-cakes.” Everything is pancakes to him. I don’t correct him – “can-cakes” is just too cute.
Growing up we always bought the pizza dough pre-mix from the grocery store. I never knew it was possible (or so easy!) to make your own pizza dough from scratch. Homemade pizza dough even tastes better! Then again … everything you make from scratch tastes better and costs less.
The following recipe will make two pizza crusts. We usually eat one and freeze the other for later!
Easy Homemade Italian Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups almost hot water
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon active yeast
- 4-4.5 cups freshly ground soft white pastry wheat berries
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
Method:
In a standing mixer, combine the almost hot water, yeast, and honey. Let it stand until the yeast is bubbly (about 5 minutes). In the meantime, combine salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder with 2.5 cups of freshly ground flour.
Once your yeast is activated, add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients in your mixer and set the speed to about medium. My mixer has a “knead dough” setting – that’s what you’re going for here. Once your wet and dry ingredients are combined, slowly add more flour. Your goal is to keep your dough wet and moist so don’t over do the flour. Just add a little at a time and then let your dough knead for about 3-5 more minutes. I have to continue adding a little flour here and there to keep it from sticking to my mixer.
After about 5 minutes of kneading, turn out onto a floured surface and knead several more times (about 2 minutes). I usually just let my toddler have a go at it.
Grease a large mixing bowl (I just use butter) and place the dough ball inside; cover and let it rise until double. This takes about an hour depending on the room’s temperature.
Once it’s big and puffy let your toddler punch it down. Then together knead the dough until all the air bubbles are gone. I usually knead another minute or two for good measure.
Now you can split your dough into two pieces. Roll out onto a pizza pan (we use cast iron). Let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes for best results. Poke a few holes and bake your pizza dough for about 7 minutes at 400 degrees. At this point, you’re ready to add all your toppings! Our favorite right now is Homemade Chicken Alfredo Pizza!
You can use both pizza crusts, or freeze one for later.
Enjoy!
