Kitchen Aid Pizza Dough

Method

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine all ingredients.

2. Using the dough hook, mix on a low speed, until a loose dough forms.

3. Gradually increase the speed to medium until a ball forms. This should take about 30 seconds. If the dough does not release from the sides of the bowl, add a pinch of flour. If the dough is very dry and floury, add a small amount of water.

4. Once the dough forms into a ball, allow the mixer to knead for 8 minutes at medium-high.

5. After the kneading is finished, divide the dough in half. Using floured hands, gently shape each dough into a boule. Set each boule on a floured surface and dab with a little bit of olive oil to keep moist. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise for 1 hour.

6. Place pizza stone on the middle shelf of oven. Turn oven on to 250o C.

7. To stretch the dough, pick up the risen dough and gently shape it into a circle. Do not over-work or fold the dough. Drape the dough over both of your knuckles and rotate it around, allowing gravity to stretch it into a circle. If the dough starts to resist stretching, put it down and allow it to rest for a few minutes, at which point it will stretch more easily.

8. Place the stretched dough onto a sheet of baking paper and quickly add toppings.

9. Using the peel, place the pizza (still on baking paper) onto the pizza stone in the oven.

10. About 3 minutes after the pizza goes into the oven, quickly pull the baking paper out from under the pizza, leaving the pizza directly on the pizza stone.

11. Depending on the fillings, the pizza will take 8-10 minutes to cook

Notes