Quick Mix Quick Rise Pizza Dough

This recipe has been in my little wooden recipe box for years. It's my "go to" when it's pizza time. It will give you two - 12 inch thin crust pizzas or one lovely thick crust. You can easily double it and still use the KitchenAid to mix and knead it. For a change of taste, change the flour to 1 1/2 cups all-purpose and 1 cup whole wheat.

• Ready In: 51 mins
• Yields: 2 thin crust pies

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon fast-rising active dry yeast
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  cup hot water (not boiling)
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
•  oil, for oiling pans
•  cornmeal, to sprinkle on pan

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour with yeast and salt.
2. Pour hot water and oil into flour mixture and mix well.
3. Mix in remaining flour to make a slightly sticky dough.
4. Form dough into a ball.
5. On a lightly floured surface - or using the dough hook on KitchenAid mixer - knead dough for about five minutes or until smooth and elastic.
6. Cut dough in half; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. To make later, refrigerate the rounds of dough at this point. Bring to room temperature before rolling or stretching.
7. Meanwhile, lightly oil pizza pans or sheets and sprinkle lightly with cornmeal.
8. Roll dough to desired thickness and transfer to pans, or place dough directly on pan and pat and stretch to desired shape and thickness.
9. Let rise for 15 minutes, a little longer if you are making a thick crust.
10. Add toppings.
11. Bake in 450 degree oven for 16 to 18 minutes.