Pizza Dough in the Bread Machine

I didn't quite get the crock pot stuff together, so I ended up turning the oven on for about 25 minutes to make a pizza with dough from my bread machine.  This makes a pizza that is much better than a frozen pizza from the store, and it is cheaper (or should I say less expensive, that sounds better).

Pizza dough in bread machine -  recipe - 2 lb

1-2/3 cups water

2 TB olive oil

2 TB sugar

2 tsp salt

2 TB dry milk

4-1/2  cups bread flour

2 tsp active dry yeast 

Add ingredients to bread machine in the order specified in the manual

Set on dough or pizza dough cycle

Check after about 10 minutes and scrape down sides, if dough looks too wet add flour 1 TB at a time until sticking together and forming a dough ball, if too dry add water 1 TB at a time until consistency looks right.

I like to let it knead for about 15-20 minutes in the machine, then turn it off and let it rise for a half hour.

Yields 2 thick or 4 thin 12" crusts, which can be divided and stored in the fridge for a day or two, or frozen to use later (just thaw overnight in fridge, or in an oiled bowl on the counter for a few hours). 

To Make a pizza

Set oven to 400 degrees

Flatten dough on a well floured surface and either roll out or use fingers to make a 12" round crust, or bigger if you want it super thin.  Raise up the edges to form a crust, to keep the sauce and toppings in while baking.

Place on a baking pan, or pizza pan, or this is really good in an oiled cast iron skillet (for pan pizza, you may need to add some baking time)!

Prebake crust in oven for 11-12 minutes

Remove from oven, add sauce and any toppings you want, ending with the cheese.

Sprinkle with a little olive oil and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and crust is done.

Enjoy! I like to add a TB of spices to the dough, oregano and basil are nice additions, along with crushed red pepper flakes.