Homemade Pizza Crust

    

Some of my favorite memories as a child were when my father was in the kitchen making a fresh, homemade pizza.  He would make it for football games, slumber parties, and other special occasions around our house.  He was a pro, very meticulous in his work, especially when forming the crust.  He would sprinkle it with oil and oregano and then he would proof it in a partially opened oven.  Then he would add the toppings and we would wait while the pizza baked in our oven...I can still remember our excitement when he told us that it was ready!

     As I became an adult, my husband and I still enjoy a fresh baked pizza.  The kids love it when they can make their own and choose their toppings.  I let them roll out their own dough, dress their pizza with whatever they want, and we still watch the oven door as the dough rises and bakes.  It is a heavenly smell! 
     There are times when we order a pizza and have it delivered, but for the most part, we make our own.  Here is a quick breakdown of what I spend when I make a pizza versus having one delivered. 

1 (8oz) can of tomato sauce per pizza ($.25)
12-16 slices of pepperoni ($.50)
1/2 cup of chopped onions, mushrooms, olives, peppers, or any other pizza topping that you prefer (approximately $.80)
1 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ($.90) 

Pizza Crust- Makes 2 (12 in.) pizza crusts or 1 (16  in) and a small

1 1/4 cup warm water (tap water...minimal cost)
1 package of active dry yeast (or 2 tsp. yeast) ($.33)
1 tsp. sugar (minimal cost)
2 tbsp. oil (I use canola) ($.15)
1/2 tsp. salt (minimal cost)
3 1/2 to 4 cups all purpose flour ($.60)

Total pizza crust cost is approximately- $1.08 give or take...my breakdown is based on approximations.  There are approximately 10 cups of flour in a 5lb bag and I paid $1.55 at Aldi.  Therefore each cup is about $.15. 

The total cost for one 16 inch round pepperoni pizza is about $2.73.  I usually have to make two pizzas and I always add additional toppings so my total cost when we eat pizza is about $6.00.  If you compare that to the cost of ordering a pizza you are saving a ton of money!  Who says that you can't enjoy delicious, healthy food, on a budget!  No more frozen pizzas for this family! 

Making pizza dough is easy!  Probably the least threatening yeast based dough ever...it is extremely forgiving! 

First-combine the water, sugar, and yeast and let them stand

for about 5 minutes.  Watch the amazing science behind yeast as it begins

to foam and grow!

(This is my son's favorite part!)

When the yeast and water is nice and frothy, combine the flour, oil, and salt into a large bowl.

Add the yeast & water to the four and mix well. 

I use a stand mixer, but my dad did all of this by hand.

 

I knead my dough with a dough hook attachment on my mixer for about 5 minutes on medium speed.  I watch the dough and add a little flour if it seems a little too sticky.

 

If you knead it by hand on a lightly floured surface, this process takes about 8 minutes. 

 

Grease a large bowl and out the pizza dough in it.  Cover with saran wrap and place in a warm area until it is doubled in size, about 30 minutes. 

 

 

 

Roll out into desired shape and size.  I use my hands, but a small rolling pin is okay too.

I sprinkle a little cornmeal on the pan that I am using, in this case I used an air bake cookie sheet.

I brush the edge of the crust with a little oil and sometimes I sprinkle it with garlic salt.  Yum Yum!

 

 

Bake at 450 for 20 minutes or until the crust is brown and the cheese is melted. 

 

Delicious, homemade pizza, made in just a little over an hour! 

Isn't that how long it takes for most pizza deliveries? 

 

How do you like your pizza?  Do you have any tricks or tips to share?  We would love to hear from you!