Pepperoni Pizza With Homemade Dough Recipe

Pizza Dough:

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine yeast, sugar, and ½ cup of warm water and whisk until yeast has dissolved. Allow resting for 5 minutes.

2. Add in the remaining 1 cup of warm water, olive oil, salt, and vinegar. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment, set on low speed, and slowly add in 1¾ cups of the flour and mix until combined.

3. Switch to a dough hook and slowly add in remaining 1¾ cups flour then knead mixture on medium-low speed for about 5 to 7 minutes, adding in up to an additional ½ cup of flour as needed, until dough is smooth and elastic.

4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest in a warm place until doubled for about 1½ hours.

Pizza Sauce:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Preferably let rest for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

To Assemble:

1. Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. While the oven preheats assemble the pizza. Punch down a pizza dough and divide into two equal 16-ounce portions.

2. Place a sheet of parchment paper over a pizza peel then lightly dust parchment paper with flour.

3. Pat or roll and stretch dough on the pizza peel to a 13-inch round while creating a rim along the edge of the dough.

4. Using a fork, pierce dough many times over the surface.

5. In a small bowl, stir together olive oil with garlic and brush evenly over top and edges of pizza then evenly spread about ⅔ cup of the pizza sauce over pizza.

6. Top evenly with cheeses and pepperoni slices.

7. Carefully slide the pizza on parchment paper to the preheated pizza stone in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden.

8. Remove from oven, sprinkle top with oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Cut into slices and serve.