Best Dough
A versatile, easy-to-make dough perfect for pizza, French bread, and dinner rolls, with a soft, sticky texture and a slightly yeasty flavor that appeals to all.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Warm water in microwave for 40 to 50 seconds on High.
- Pour the warm water into a large bowl and add salt, sugar, yeast, and 1 cup of flour.
- Mix well; then add the remaining flour gradually.
- When the mixture is too thick to stir, pour it onto a heavily floured surface.
- Knead the dough until it becomes sticky but manageable.
- Place the dough back into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel.
- Let the dough rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until doubled in size.
- Knead the risen dough on a floured surface; it will be moist.
- Keep the surface heavily floured during handling.
- Roll out the dough for pizza or shape as desired for French bread or dinner rolls.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, use bread flour for a chewier texture. If you don't have yeast, you can substitute with baking powder; however, the dough won't rise as much. Ensure your water is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour gradually.
Serving Suggestions
This dough is versatile and can be used for pizza, French bread, or dinner rolls. Serve fresh out of the oven with a side of Florey'S Barbecue Sauce for dipping or pair with Nellie'S Spaghetti Salad for a complete meal. Enjoy with a light salad or a hearty soup for a perfect dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, let it come to room temperature, then roll out and bake as instructed. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before use.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Best Dough contains roughly 176 calories, with 4g protein, 44g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (73% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1804mg per serving (78% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my dough not rising?
If your dough isn't rising, it might be due to inactive yeast. Ensure that the yeast is fresh and that your water is warm (not hot). Also, consider the ambient temperature; a warmer environment helps the dough rise better.
Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Allow it to rise, then punch it down, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. It can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just let it come to room temperature before rolling out.
What can I do with leftover dough?
Leftover dough can be shaped into rolls or small pizzas. Alternatively, you can freeze it for future use. Just thaw and let it rise again before baking. This dough is also excellent for making breadsticks or even calzones.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).