Homemade Pizza and Doughnuts

Homemade Pizza and Doughnuts – Perfect Dough for Crispy Pizza and Fluffy Doughnuts

Making homemade pizza and doughnuts from scratch is a rewarding experience. It all starts with the perfect dough—versatile, easy to handle, and capable of delivering a crispy pizza crust and light, airy doughnuts. Whether you’re having a pizza night or indulging in fresh doughnuts, mastering this dough recipe is the secret to success.

Ingredients:

For the Perfect Dough (Base for Pizza and Doughnuts):

3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast or instant yeast
1 cup (240ml) warm water (110°F or 45°C)
2 tbsp olive oil (for pizza) or melted butter (for doughnuts)
2 tbsp sugar (increase to ¼ cup for sweeter doughnuts)
1 tsp salt
1 egg (optional for pizza dough, essential for doughnuts)

Optional Additions:

For Pizza Dough: Herbs (oregano, basil), garlic powder, or Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
For Doughnuts: Nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract, or citrus zest for enhanced taste.

Tips for Success:

Use warm (not hot) water to activate the yeast properly.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free environment until doubled in size.
Knead the dough well to develop gluten, ensuring elasticity and chewiness.
For extra fluffy doughnuts, let the dough rest overnight in the fridge.

Directions:

Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil (or butter), and egg (if making doughnuts). Stir until a sticky dough forms.

Step 3: Knead the Dough
Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4: Let It Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.

For Pizza:

Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
Roll out the dough and top with sauce, cheese, and toppings.
Bake for 10–15 minutes or until golden brown.

For Doughnuts:

Roll out the dough to ½-inch thickness and cut into circles. Let them rise for 30 minutes.
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry doughnuts for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels and coat with sugar, glaze, or chocolate.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Pizza Dough (Per Slice, Without Toppings): ~150 calories, 3g protein, 1.5g fat, 30g carbs
Doughnuts (Per Doughnut, Without Toppings): ~250 calories, 4g protein, 10g fat, 35g carbs

Conclusion and Recommendation:

Whether you’re in the mood for a cheesy homemade pizza or craving a warm, fluffy doughnut, starting with a great dough is essential. Experiment with different flavors, toppings, and fillings to make each recipe uniquely yours.

Embracing Healthful Indulgence:

Enjoying homemade treats doesn’t have to mean overindulgence. Use whole wheat flour for a fiber boost, try baking doughnuts instead of frying, or load your pizza with fresh veggies. The beauty of homemade baking is the ability to balance health and flavor to suit your lifestyle.