, simply pinch the dough back together. Once the dough is stretched to your desired size, transfer it to the prepared pan.
Adding Toppings:
Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Add your favorite toppings, such as shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, or any other ingredients you like.
Baking:
Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking.
Serving:
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade pizza!
Homemade Doughnuts
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works well)
Glaze (optional):
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Proofing The Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
Mixing The Dough:
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and eggs. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together. Then, increase the speed to medium and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
First Rise:
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Shaping The Doughnuts:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or two different-sized round cutters (one for the outer edge and one for the hole) to cut out doughnut shapes. Place the cut doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them with a towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Frying The Doughnuts:
Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add a few doughnuts to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Glazing (Optional):
In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip each doughnut into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, then place them on a wire rack to set.
Serving:
Serve the doughnuts warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your homemade doughnuts!
Variations, Tips, and Storage for Homemade Pizza and Doughnuts
Homemade Pizza Dough
Variations:
- Whole Wheat Pizza Dough:
Replace 1 cup of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, healthier crust. Add a bit more water if the dough feels too dry.
- Gluten-Free Pizza Dough:
Use a gluten-free flour blend and add 1 tsp of xanthan gum to help bind the dough.
- Herb-Infused Dough:
Add 1-2 tbsp of fresh herbs (like basil, oregano, or rosemary) to the dough for extra flavor.
- Cheesy Crust:
Roll the edges of the dough in shredded Parmesan or mozzarella before baking for a cheesy, crispy crust.
- Sweet Dessert Pizza:
Skip the Italian seasoning and add 1-2 tbsp of sugar to the dough. Top with Nutella, fruits, or cinnamon sugar for a dessert pizza.
Tips:
- Use a Kitchen Scale:
Weighing ingredients (especially flour) ensures consistency and perfect dough every time.
- Don’t Overproof:
Overproofing can make the dough collapse. If it doubles in size before 30 minutes, move to the next step.
- Warm Environment:
If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in the oven with the light on to help it rise.
- Stretching Dough:
Use your hands to stretch the dough instead of a rolling pin for a more rustic, airy crust.
- Preheat the Oven:
A hot oven (450°F or higher) is key to a crispy crust. Use a pizza stone or steel for even better results.
Storage:
- Refrigerator:
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will keep for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before using.
- Freezer:
Divide the dough into portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
- Pre-Baked Crust:
Par-bake the crust for 5-7 minutes, let it cool, and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
Homemade Doughnuts
Variations:
- Baked Doughnuts:
Instead of frying, bake the doughnuts at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes. Use a doughnut pan for shaping.
- Filled Doughnuts:
After frying, use a piping bag to fill the doughnuts with jam, custard, or chocolate ganache.
- Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts:
While still warm, toss the doughnuts in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
- Chocolate Glaze:
Replace the vanilla glaze with a chocolate glaze by adding 2-3 tbsp of cocoa powder to the powdered sugar mixture.
- Savory Doughnuts:
Skip the sugar in the dough and add herbs, cheese, or garlic powder. Serve with dips like marinara or ranch.
Tips:
- Oil Temperature:
Use a thermometer to maintain the oil at 350°F (175°C). Too hot, and the doughnuts will burn; too cool, and they’ll absorb too much oil.
- Don’t Overcrowd:
Fry 2-3 doughnuts at a time to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
- Even Thickness:
Roll the dough evenly to ensure the doughnuts cook uniformly.
- Test Fry:
Fry a small piece of dough first to check the oil temperature and adjust if needed.
- Glazing:
For a thicker glaze, dip the doughnuts while they’re still warm. For a thinner glaze, let them cool slightly.
Storage:
- Room Temperature:
Store unfrosted doughnuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Glazed or frosted doughnuts are best eaten the same day.
- Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freezer:
Freeze unfrosted doughnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Reheating:
Warm doughnuts in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness.
General Tips for Both Recipes:
- Fresh Yeast:
Always check the expiration date on your yeast. If it doesn’t foam during proofing, it’s likely dead.
- Experiment with Toppings:
Get creative with toppings and fillings to make each batch unique.
- Practice Patience:
Don’t rush the rising process. Properly proofed dough makes all the difference in texture and flavor.
Enjoy your homemade pizza and doughnuts! 🍕🍩