Homemade Pizza Dough

INGREDIENTS

480g lukewarm water

1 pinch sugar

1½ tablespoons active dry yeast

2 tablespoons olive oil

685g all-purpose flour or bread flour

1½ teaspoons salt

METHOD

1. In a large bowl (if you knead by hand) add the warm water and sugar, sprinkle the yeast on top, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then stir to combine.

2. Add the olive oil, flour, and salt, then with a fork mix until the dough starts to come together. On a lightly floured surface remove dough from the bowl and knead until dough is smooth and elastic approximately 10 minutes (if dough is sticky add a little extra flour).

3. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, roll the dough to cover lightly with the oil, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a large clean kitchen towel, leave in a warm draft free area until doubled in bulk, approximately 2 hours.

4. Pre heat oven to 250C. Punch dough down a few times and divide into 1-3 balls, let dough rest for 20 minutes.

5. Place the dough in the desired pizza or cookie sheets (lightly oiled) and shape the dough into the desired shapes (using your clean hands).

6. Top with your favourite toppings (without the cheese), bake for approximately 15-20 minutes (until crust is golden) and then top with grated mozzarella cheese and bake for three more minutes or until cheese is melted.