- 1¾ C (125 ml) warm water, about 110 degrees (divided)
- 2¼ TSP (1 packet) instant yeast
- 2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 C (500 g; 22 OZ) bread flour
- 1½ TSP salt
- Measure ½ cup of the warm water into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Sprinkle in the yeast and let stand until the yeast dissolves and swells, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 1¼ cups water and oil and stir to combine.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula while you gradually pour in the liquid mixture. The dough should come together into a shaggy mass and be mostly moistened; you may not need all of the liquid, so hold back a few tablespoons and then add if necessary.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead by hand for a few minutes to form a smooth, round ball (it will a very soft dough). Put the dough into an oiled bowl, turn to coat the dough, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Place in a draft-free area and let rise until doubled in size, about 1½ hours.
- Place a pizza stone on a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat the oven to 500° F for at least 30 minutes.
- Press the dough to deflate it, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Use a chef’s knife or dough scraper to divide the dough into two pieces. Form each piece of dough into a smooth, round ball and cover it with a damp cloth. Let the dough relax for at least 10 minutes but no more than 30 minutes.
- Working with one piece of dough at a time and keeping the other covered, shape the dough into a 14-inch circle, then transfer it to a pizza peel or pan that has been lightly dusted with semolina.
- Top your pizza as desired and slide the dough onto the heated stone. Bake until the crust edges brown and the cheese is golden brown in spots, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven, cut into wedges, and serve immediately. Repeat with the remaining piece of dough.
Yields 2 large (14″) pizza crusts.
Calories: 1070kcal | Carbohydrates: 187g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1767mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3mg