Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

In a large mixer bowl (I use my KitchenAid), add the water, sugar, and yeast. The sugar feeds the yeast. Add a bit more sugar if you like a sweeter crust. After the mixture is foamy—about 10 minutes—add the oil and salt.

Mix gently and then add the whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the bread flour.

Use the dough hook attachment and mix until dough starts to come together.

At this point, you can either turn out the dough onto a surface floured with the remaining bread flour or you can, like I do, leave it in the mixer and slowly add the remaining flour with the mixer on medium speed. You’ll need to stop it now and then to scrape the dough off of the hook.

If kneading by hand, keep it up until all of the flour is absorbed and the dough becomes smooth, about ten minutes or so. If you are using the mixer, mix for at least six minutes. Dough should be smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turn to coat, and loosely cover with a damp towel. Let it stand in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.

After it rises, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface.

This dough is so great. You can divide it into 2 and have two great, thick, large crusts. Or you can divide it into 3 and have thinner crusts, but still nice-sized pizzas. I divide it into 4 and have individual pizzas for each family member. The dough is thin, but not the flat thin you get at a pizza parlor—the one that makes you think you are eating cardboard or paper. Form the pieces into little balls and leave them alone for about 45 minutes or until doubled.

Preheat the oven to 425 F. You can use a rolling pin to form your crusts, but I just stretch and pull at them until flat. I like the look of homemade pizza crust, not perfectly round.

Top with anything you like!

Bake on a greased pizza pan or cookie sheet for about 12 minutes.

* The whole wheat flour gives the pizza crust a slightly nutty flavor that I have gotten many raves about. And I always feel a tad less guilty about indulging in pizza when we have whole wheat crust. Enjoy!