“You can have the best toppings, sauce & cheese… but if the crust isn’t right – the whole thing suffers.”
“Gather your ingredients (for a 12-inch pizza):
“Mix warm water + sugar + yeast. Let sit 5-10 min until frothy. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be
“In a large bowl whisk flour + salt. Make a well, pour in olive oil + yeast mixture. Stir until rough dough
“Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead 8-10 minutes: press with heel of palm, fold, turn. Dough should become smooth & elastic.”
“Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, cover with damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let rise 1-2 hours in warm, draft-free spot until doubled.
“Punch down risen dough, divide if needed. Shape by hand (better texture) or roll out.
Optional: Pre-bake plain crust at 475 °F (~245 °C) for 4-5 min to get extra crisp base.”
“Top your crust with sauce, cheese, toppings. Bake at 475–500 °F (~245–260 °C) for 12-15 minutes, turning midway, until edges are golden and bubbling.”
“Enjoy & share! Let pizza rest 2-3 min before slicing so crust sets.