Bread Machine Pizza Crust

Yields 2 thick crusts - one for tonight and one to freeze!

Time: 1 hour in bread machine, 10 minutes to prepare, 30-60 minutes to rise, 20 minutes to cook

1 2/3 cup water (luke warm)

2 Tbl oil

2 Tbl sugar

2 tsp salt

2 Tbl dry milk

4 1/2 cups bread flour (or regular)

2 tsp active dry yeast

Put all into bread machine pan and mix on a dough cycle. Dough will be very sticky. Put on floured surface and add flour and kneed until dough can be spread. Divide into two. Spread each half by holding the edge and letting the weight of the dough stretch it. Put in pan and push dough out to fill the space in the pan. If freezing one crust, spread in a 9 by 13 or similar pan with a lid. Let rise until dough is desired height, 30-60 minutes. Cook for 8-10 minute at 425 degrees. While cooking, prepare sauce, cheese, meat, and vegetables. Top pizza and cook another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

To freeze: Cook pizza crust only for 10 minutes. Let cool while preparing and eating other crust and then put in the freezer. When you want to use it, add toppings and cook 15-20 minutes at 425 or until the cheese is melted.

Note: I’ve tried different variations of freezing/cooking/adding toppings and they have all worked. Just make sure you get the dough cooked all the way through.

-Marian Adamson