Easy Pizza Dough (Kathleen Daelemans)

3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
2 packages active dry yeast
1 tsp coarse grained salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1/2 tsp olive oil

Place flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a mixer fitted with a dough hook. While mixer is running, gradually add the water; knead on low speed until dough is firm and smooth, about 10 minutes. Turn mixer off. Pour oil down the side of bowl. Turn mixer on low once more for 15 seconds to coat inside of bowl and all surfaces of dough with the oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.

Preheat oven to highest setting (500 or 550). Place pizza stone in oven during preheat, if using. Punch dough down and cut in half if making two thick crusted pizzas or 8 if making mini pizzas or calzones.

On a floured surface, stretch dough into a circle and roll out to desired thickness. Add cornmeal to cookie sheet or pizza peel (if using) and place rolled out dough on top. Add toppings and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Makes 2 12-inch thick crusted pizzas, 4 10-inch Thin crusted pizzas or 8 calzones.
8 servings.

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user DAISYDOL.