Classic Pepperoni Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza Crust

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 1/4 cup room temperature water
• 2 1/2 tsp active yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cup all purpose flour

Pizza Sauce

• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp fresh oregano – chopped OR ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp fresh basil – chopped OR ½ tsp dried basil
• 1 clove garlic – minced
• pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• salt
• pepper

Toppings

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cup mozzarella cheese – grated
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese – finely grated
• 30 slices pepperoni
• 2 tbsp fresh basil – OR oregano leaves
• pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Direction

Pizza Dough

1. In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, add warm water and yeast. Sprinkle sugar over top and allow to sit for 5-7 minutes or until the mixture begins to puff. Add the oil and the room temperature water. Whisk gently to combine.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine salt, flour, and water mixture. When the dough begins to form a ball, remove the paddle attachment and replace it with the dough hook. With mixing speed on low, knead dough for 2-3 minutes or until a ball begins to form and the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Remove dough from the bowl and place it in a large well-greased bowl (I prefer using olive oil, but you can also use Pam). Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 2 hours. You can also do a “quick-rise” method and stick the bowl in an oven that has been heated to 200°F (93°C) and then TURNED OFF (that way it’s nice and warm in there, but please make sure your oven is actually off before sticking the dough inside). Let it rise for 1 hour.
4. To deflate the dough, punch with a fist. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two or three balls (depending on how big and how many pizzas you want to make… I make 2). Form into pizza shells to fit the size of your pan (or refrigerate the other dough for up to 48 hours). Place on a lightly greased pan (or one that has been dusted with flour or cornmeal).

Pizza Sauce

1. Combine all of the ingredients for the pizza sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate until needed.

Baking

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Brush the olive oil over the entire top of the pizza dough. Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the pizza, leaving about 3/4″-1″ of dough around the edges for the crust. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, then mozzarella. Place the pepperoni slices on, then bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, and allow to cool for 10 minutes before topping with basil or oregano (to prevent discoloration and wilting). Finally, slice and serve immediately.