Recipe: Pizza Hut Style Dough Mix

'Pizza Hut' Style Dough Mix

The secret ingredient here is baking powder. Extensive testing has revealed that baking powder plus yeast in a pizza dough yields a chewy, tender crust. Baking powder also produces a near-instant oven rise.

Each batch makes 1 16-20 inch round pizza, or a 17 by 11 inch rectangle, or a variety of smaller, free form individual pizzas.

8 cups unbleached bread flour
4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup stone ground cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons salt (note: amount reported as too salty - maybe try 3 teaspoons or add to taste instead)
3 tablespoons baking powder

In a large bowl, whisk together bread flour, all purpose flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder very well. Store in well sealed plastic bags. Keeps 4 months.

To make pizza dough:
1 cup water
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons fast-rise yeast
3 cups dough mix
2 tablespoons olive oil

If you like your pizza crisp, use the lesser amount of yeast. For a fluffier, breadier pizza, use the larger amount (and do not roll out too thin). Depending on the yeast you choose (i.e. brands differ in performance as do fast or active dry varieties), the fermentation may vary somewhat.

his dough can be kneaded by hand, in a mixer with a dough hook or in a bread machine (on dough cycle, following manufacturer instructions). For the mixer, place water in a bowl with yeast. Mix a moment and allow mixture to sit about five minutes, to allow yeast to expand. Add pizza mix and oil, then knead, until smooth and elastic on slow speed - about 5-7 minutes. Once dough is made, cover well with oiled plastic (or refrigerate) and allow to rest one hour. Deflate before proceeding.