Easy Pizza Dough for Bread Machine

This is basically an amalgam of several basic bread recipes, simplified and adapted for use as a pizza crust. The bread machine just makes it easier. Makes a 10-14" inch pie.

• Ready In: 1 hr 51 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 pie

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 1  tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3  cups bread flour
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon bread machine quick-acting active dry yeast
• 2  teaspoons dried herbs (basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley, etc.) (optional)
• 1  teaspoon semolina (or yellow cornmeal) (optional)

Directions

1. Add ingredients to pan in order listed, set bread machine on"dough" and walk away.
2. After the cycle is completed, lightly coat dough ball in flour and roll or slap out to desired size.
3. Top with desired sauce, cheeses, meats and/or veggies and bake at 450° until cheese is golden brown.
4. Will make a 9-10" pizza of average thickness, or a 13-14" thin crust pizza.
5. For best results, bake on a preheated baking stone sprinkled with corn meal.
6. Notes: You may substitute beer for all or part of the water. I've used 3/4 cup flat beer and 1/4 water with excellent results. A teaspoon of semolina may be added as well -- it provides a nice crunchiness to the dough when baked. Corn meal can be substituted for the semolina (and likewise, semolina can be used to dust the pizza peel and/or baking stone).