Pizza Dough All-American Style

Indulge in the heavenly delight of a richer and more tender pizza crust with this specially enriched dough. Inspired by one of Peter Reinhart’s American Pie pizza dough recipes, this version incorporates sugar and milk to create a truly exceptional pizza base. The result is a dough that boasts a delightful texture and flavor, taking your homemade pizzas to a whole new level. With easy-to-follow instructions and the flexibility to use it the same day or let it rest for an even more flavorful experience, this pizza dough recipe is a must-try for all pizza lovers!

YIELD: Makes three to four 10–12 inch pizzas

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 5 cups (500 grams) unbleached flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ cup olive or vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk (1 or 2 percent or whole milk)
• ¾ cup room temperature water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Turn the dough onto your work surface and cover it with the mixing bowl for at least 5 minutes. Once ready, knead the dough until you achieve a gluten window, indicating proper gluten development.
2. Shape the dough into a smooth ball and place it in a well-oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for 1 hour. During this time, the dough will not double in size but will expand slightly.
3. If you plan to use the dough on the same day, divide it into four equal pieces and place them on a well-oiled pan.
4. Gently pat the surfaces of the dough balls with oil and cover them. Let them rest for at least 20–30 minutes before shaping them into pizzas.
5. For next-day use, gently push the dough down, cover it, and place it in the refrigerator.
6. The following day, remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface, covering it with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Allow at least 2 hours to warm the dough to room temperature before use.
7. Once the dough reaches room temperature, shape it into balls, cover them, and let them rest for at least 30 minutes before shaping them into pizzas.

TIPS:

• Enriching the dough with sugar and milk contributes to a softer, more flavorful crust that pairs beautifully with a wide range of pizza toppings.
• To achieve the perfect texture, knead the dough until you can create a gluten window, which indicates the gluten has developed adequately.
• Allowing the dough to rest and rise is essential for better texture and flavor. For same-day use, rest the dough for an hour after shaping it into a ball. If you plan to use it the next day, store it in the refrigerator overnight, and let it warm to room temperature before shaping.
• For a more convenient option, divide the dough into smaller balls and freeze them for future use. Simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before shaping.

With this rich and tender pizza dough recipe, your homemade pizzas are destined to be unforgettable culinary delights. Enjoy the process of creating these delicious pizzas and savor every bite of the sumptuous crust!