Pizza Bread Dough Base

Pizza dough base

Make your own pizza with this authentic Italian recipe - it uses '00' flour to give the base a lighter, crisper texture.

Ingredients

For the dough

• 650g/1lb 5oz Italian 00 flour (strong white flour)
• 7g sachet of easy-blend yeast
• 2 tsp salt
• 25ml/1fl oz olive oil
• 50ml/2fl oz warm milk
• 325ml/11fl oz warm water

Preparation method

1. Make the dough: mix the flour, yeast and salt together in a large mixing bowl and stir in the olive oil and milk. Gradually add the water, mixing well to form a soft dough.
   
2. Turn the dough out on to a floured work surface and knead for about five minutes, until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a clean bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rise for about 1½ hours, until doubled in size.
   
   Technique: Kneading bread
   
3. When the dough has risen, knock it back, then knead again until smooth, roll into a ball and set aside for 30 minutes to 1 hour until risen again.
   
   Technique: Knocking back
   
4. Preheat the oven to its highest setting.
   
5. Divide the dough into six balls and roll each out onto a lightly floured work surface until 20cm/8in in diameter.
   
6. Spread a little passata (or homemade tomato sauce) over each pizza base and top with your favourite toppings.
   
7. Bake the pizzas in the oven until the bases are crisp and golden-brown around the edges and any cheese on the topping has melted.
   

Top recipe tip

You can freeze the dough after step 3. Divide into 6 balls and wrap each one in cling film. Defrost overnight in the freezer before proceeding with the recipe.