New York-Style Pizza Crust

DIRECTIONS

• Combine water and sugar in small bowl; stir to dissolve sugar.
• Sprinkle yeast on top; stir to combine.
• Let stand 5 to 10 minutes or until foamy.
• Combine flour and salt in medium bowl.
• Stir in yeast mixture.
• Mix until mixture forms soft dough.
• Remove dough to lightly floured surface.
• Knead 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic, adding additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed.
• Place dough in medium bowl coated with nonstick cooking spray.
• Turn dough in bowl so top is coated with cooking spray; cover with towel or plastic wrap.
• Let rise in warm place 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
• Punch dough down; place on lightly floured surface and knead about 2 minutes or until smooth.
• Pat dough into flat disc about 7 inches in diameter.
• Let rest 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pat and gently stretch dough from edges until dough seems to not stretch anymore.
• Let rest 2 to 3 minutes.
• Continue patting and stretching until dough is 12 to 14 inches in diameter.
• Spray 12- to 14-inch pizza pan with nonstick spray; sprinkle with commeal, if desired.
• Press dough into pan.
• Preheat oven to 5OOF.
• Follow directions for individual recipes, baking pizza on bottom rack of oven.