Homemade Pizza Crust

This soft homemade pizza crust is for the deep dish bread lovers. It can also be stretched to fit a cookie sheet. This easy and delicious crust is sure to be a frequent winner in your recipe box. Say good-bye to frozen pizza! 

This homemade pizza crust recipe came from my home economics class back in the 1900s, as they say, but let’s not think about how long ago that was. It has been a staple in my recipe box, and my mom’s, and who knows how many around my home town, for several decades. This homemade pizza crust recipe escapes the recipe box every week for Pizza Friday.

How to Make Homemade Pizza Crust

In a large mixing bowl, measure very warm water and stir in the sugar. The water should be very warm, but not scalding or the yeast will die. Ask me how I know… If your skin can stand it, so can the yeast.

Sprinkle the yeast over the sugar water. Let stand 10 minutes. Sometimes if my house is cool I put it in the oven with the light on. The yeast will grow on the warm water and “eat” the sugar. Stir the grown yeast into the water.

Stir in the salt, oil and 1 ½ cups of flour. Sometimes I use 1 cup of whole wheat flour, and ½ cup all purpose flour at this step. I often add a tablespoon or two of herbs to the dough here as well. Garlic, basil, oregano and thyme work well. I grew lots of basil and dried it all, so that’s usually my go to! Beat until smooth.

Stir in the additional flour, a little at a time. Knead until smooth and not sticky. Stop when the dough just starts to become stiffer. Let the dough rest at least five minutes. This will make stretching the dough much easier.

Lightly grease the pizza pan. Place dough in the center and work gently with your fingers from the center to the outside. Do not pull or stretch.

Spread the dough with sauce. Regular pizza sauce in a can is easy. Seasoning it with some oregano is tasty.  We have used bbq sauce or ranch dressing as well, but the favourite in our house, though, is Alfredo sauce!

You can make your own Alfredo sauce by whisking together a tablespoon of flour or corn starch in a cup of milk. Melt a teaspoon of butter or lard in a small saucepan. Add salt and pepper, minced garlic, and the milk mixture.

Bring to a boil on medium heat, whisking often, until sauce thickens. Voila! Add to the pizza crust.

Add toppings. What kind of pizza is your favourite? We love ham and bacon with mushrooms, leek or onion and pickled jalapenos.

Sometimes it’s pre-fried ground meat and onions, with pickled jalapenos for the heat lovers.

A special treat when we make pizza with our friends is shrimp and farmer sausage or bacon (all pre-cooked) on Alfredo sauce!

No pineapple on pizza in this house!

Don’t forget extra cheese! Nothing beats classic mozzarella, but sometimes we just have marble or cheddar. Cheddar is the choice for a cheeseburger style pizza!

Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, until crust and cheese are golden.

Gather around and dig in! Enjoy your homemade pizza crust with your favourite toppings!