Skillet Pizza Dough

You can prepare this skillet pizza dough up to 1 day in advance. Refrigerate the covered bowl of dough and let rise overnight for up to 24 hours. When ready to use, punch down the dough and allow an extra 30 minutes to 1 hour for the second rise in the skillet. For whole wheat dough, use 3/4 cup whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. You will need a cast iron skillet to bake this dough. Recipe is from Rachael Ray. Rising time is not included in the prep and cooking time.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 1 pound

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup  lukewarm water
• 1  tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

1. In small bowl, stir together the lukewarm water, yeast and sugar.
2. Let stand until foamy, 3-5 minutes.
3. Using a standing mixer, mix the flour and salt at a low speed.
4. Mix in the yeast mixture and olive oil until a shaggy dough forms.
5. Change to the dough hook attachment and mix at medium speed until smooth, about 6 minutes.
6. Transfer the dough to a greased, large mixing bowl, turning to coat; cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Punch down the dough before using.
8. Press the pizza dough into a greased 9-inch to 10-inch cast-iron skillet and let rise until double in size, 20-30 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
10. Top about 1 T additional olive oil over the dough.
11. Top pizza dough with your favorite pizza toppings, leaving a 1/2-inch border (do not add the cheese yet).
12. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
13. Sprinkle the cheese and any seasonings you might like on top and bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
14. Let cool in pan for about 20 minutes before serving.
15. This will make one 9 to 10-inch skillet pizza dough.