Make Your Own : Pizza Dough

On my never-ending quest to cook from scratch, I really wanted to try to make pizza. I got a great pizza dough recipe from my buddy Kate and have been using that ever since!  We have made several varieties of pizza, including a pear/brie pizza! Mmmm!

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Recipe yields one 12″ pizza crust, serves 2-6

• 1 packet active dry yeast (1/4 oz. or 1 1/2 tsp.)
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar, divided
• 2/3 c. warm water, divided
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vital wheat gluten (I got mine at Whole Foods but have seen it at Giant, too)
• 1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/2 c. white flour (plus extra)
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1-2 T. melted butter and 1 tsp. jarred minced garlic – optional

In a small mixing bowl, combine the packet of yeast with 1/2 tsp. of sugar. Add 1/3 cup warm water and let sit about 5 minutes until foamy/bubble.

In a large mixing bowl, sift well: 1 tsp. sugar, salt, vital wheat gluten, whole wheat flour and white flour. Mix in 2 T olive oil and remaining 1/3 cup warm water. Add yeast and mix.

Turn dough out onto floured work surface and knead until dough is smooth, elastic and not so sticky.

Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and set aside in a warm, dry place with a towel over it (I use my unheated oven). Let dough rise for 45 minutes to an hour, or until about doubled.

“Punch” dough down and turn out onto floured work surface. Roll dough out to about 15″ – I like a flatbread style crust, but feel free to roll the dough up a little here for a thicker crust.

Transfer dough to pizza peel or baking sheet and prepare to build. If you don’t mind a few extra minutes at the gym, brush melted butter around the edge of the dough and sprinkle that edge with a little minced garlic. Oh, the secret to any great recipe is butter – much as I try to deny it


This dough makes for a very hearty pizza, especially if you load on a lot of veggies!


Kate~ my husband, daughter and house guests THANK you for this recipe:):):)!!!