Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey
- 1 1/4 cups of warm water (110 degrees)
- 1 pack (1/4 ounce) of dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups of white flour
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
Directions:
1. Dissolve the sugar in the warm water and add the yeast. Stir gently until the yeast is dissolved, about 1 minute. Let it stand until the yeast foams slightly, approximately 5 minutes. This step ensures that the yeast is active and will help the dough rise properly.
2. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of white flour and the salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and add the olive oil, if using. Begin kneading the mixture, gradually adding enough of the remaining 1/4 cup of flour so that the dough is no longer sticky. Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in an oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat it with the oil. This prevents the dough from sticking to the bowl as it rises. Let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, which usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the yeast and the room temperature.
4. After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any trapped air. Then, shape the dough into 1 or 2 pieces, depending on your preference. This recipe makes enough dough for two 12-inch pizzas.
5. To shape the dough, you can either use your hands or a rolling pin. Stretch the dough out as necessary to achieve a thin crust. For a lighter crust, let the shaped dough sit for about 30 minutes before constructing the pizza and baking it.
By following these steps, you will have a delicious whole wheat dough ready to be topped with your favorite ingredients and baked to perfection. Enjoy your homemade whole wheat pizza!
