Basic Pizza Crust

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
• 13 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (about 3 cups), divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal

Preparation

1. 1. Dissolve sugar and yeast in water in a large bowl, and let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly. Weigh or lightly spoon 12.15 ounces flour (about 2 ¾ cups) into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add flour, salt, and olive oil to yeast mixture; stir to form a soft dough.
2. 2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes); add enough of remaining 1.13 ounces flour (about ¼ cup), 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.
3. 3. Place dough in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat. Cover dough with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray; let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)
4. 4. Punch dough down; divide in half. Roll each half into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Place dough on 2 (12-inch) pizza pans or baking sheets each coated with cooking spray and sprinkled with 1/2 tablespoon cornmeal. Crimp edges of dough with fingers to form a rim. Cover; let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, for 30 minutes.