Pizza Dough

This is from Marilee Leishman. It was the lightest and yummiest pizza dough ever!

1 pkg. yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons

2 Tbsp. sugar

3 cups flour (split in half)

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. oil

1 cup warm water

In a seperate little bowl, combine sugar, yeast and the warm water. If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast and if the water is too cold, it won't activate the yeast. After about 5 minutes of sitting the yeast should have started "growing."

While the yeast is activating, mix 1 1/2 cup flour, salt, and oil. Mix for 2 minutes. Then add the yeast mix and add the last 1 1/2 cup of flour. Once it gets hard to mix, use your hands to knead it. Don't overknead just make it into a ball and cover with a damp, warm towel. Let it rise for 15 minutes. Turn on the oven to 400 degrees. The dough may not rise a whole lot but it should be malleable to work with (easy to tug and pull on). Roll it out into the shape of your pizza pan.

Top the pizze with your sauce and toppings and bake for 10-15 minutes.

This usually makes enough for 1 large pizza. I usually double the recipe so we have a lot of leftovers.