Garlic Bread Pizza Crust

02/18/2013

Looking for a fun, inexpensive family meal that can be fairly healthy (compared to the alternative of ordering in pizza!) then check out this great garlic bread pizza crust recipe.  We enjoy this pizza for lunch or dinner.  The dough can be made and frozen ahead of time as well which makes for a quick lunch or supper.  I have also made pizza kits for my freezer with some pepperoni and mozza cheese all ready to go, since both ingredients arent something that I always have in my fridge.  We have also experimented with a bit of whole wheat flour too.  You can use this dough recipe for delicious garlic bread sticks too!  As with many of my great recipes, I originally found this one through Pinterest on the How Sweet Eats Blog

Garlic Bread Pizza Crust

makes one pizza

1 1/8 cups warm water (100-105 degrees)

3 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried basil

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 garlic cloves, pressed or very finely minced

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

In a large bowl, combine water, yeast, honey and olive oil. Mix with a spoon, then let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add in 2 1/2 cups flour, salt, garlic powder and dried basil, stirring with a spoon until the dough comes together but it still sticky. Using your hands, form the dough into a ball and work the additional 1/2 cup flour (you don’t need to use all if it is not needed) in to the dough, kneading it on a floured surface for a few minutes. Rub the same bowl with olive oil then place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and place in a warm place to rise for about 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

After the dough has risen, punch it down and place it back on the floured surface. Using a roll pin or your hands, form it into your desired shape (sometimes I use baking sheets and do rectangles or free form pizzas). Place the towel back over the dough and let sit in the warm place for 10 minutes. While the dough is rising again, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Mix it with the garlic and 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese.

Bring the dough back out and using a spoon or pastry brush, douse the outside edges with the butter and garlic mixture. You can spread the butter all over, just make sure to focus on the edges. Use it all up! Continue to make your pizza with your desired toppings. Bake the pizza for 23-25 minutes (or longer if needed, depending on your toppings), or until crust and cheese are both golden. While pizza is baking, melt remaining butter and combine with the last tablespoon of parmesan.

Remove pizza from over and immediately brush the outside edges with parmesan butter, using it all up. Sprinkle a bit of parmesan over top if desired. Serve!

The dough has risen and has garlic button all over it! Next, add the toppings.

Fresh out of the oven and ready to inhale!