Pizza Dough

1 package (or 1 tablespoon bulk) active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar and salt. Gradually add flour until dough is stiff enough to handle. turn onto floured board or counter top and knead until smooth and elastic; about 10 minutes. Place in olive oil coated bowl and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Punch down and knead again briefly, then divide in half and roll out each half to make pizza. Add sauce, cheese and toppings and bake at 450 F for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and slide off pan onto counter or cutting board. Cut into slices and enjoy!

Notes: My family and I have been making homemade pizza for over 20 years now. We first started making it on a regular basis when we moved to the middle of Idaho and the closest pizza place was an hour and a half drive across the desert. Also, being from the east coast, we were shocked to learn there were no good pizza places in Idaho Falls at the time. So, we started making our own and have been doing it ever since. Eventually we started making pizza on Christmas Day instead of a turkey. Now that my kids are grown they have carried on the tradition in their own homes! This recipe is easily doubled or triples to make enough pizzas for whatever size crowd you have. One year we even made about 20 pizzas for our church's youth group! That was quite the task! We do have our own secret family pizza sauce recipe. You will just have to figure out your own! Have fun!