Thin crust pizza dough

This is a really easy and really good dough for thin crust pizza, which is my favorite type. This recipe makes a about 3 crusts depending on the size of your pizzas.  While it is really easy you have to make sure that you plan ahead because it has to sit in the fridge over night.  It also freezes very well.  When you want to use it just let it thaw in the fridge and you are good to go.  This dough also works wonderfully for things like strombolis or calzones.


Ingredients:

• 1  package active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1  cup  warm water 
• 1 1/4  cups  cold water
• 2  tablespoons  olive oil
• 1  teaspoon  sugar
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• about 5 1/2 cups flour, divided - depending on the stickiness of your dough you may need anywhere up to 7 cups
• Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Combine 1 1/4 cups cold water, oil, sugar, and salt in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.

2. Combine 5 1/2 cups flour, yeast mixture, and cold water mixture in a large bowl.  Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball. (If you have a dough hook for your mixer feel free to use that instead)  Knead until smooth and elastic (about 2 minutes); add enough of the remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel kinda sticky).

3. Divide the dough in thirds, and place each portion in a large zip-top bag coated with cooking spray. Seal and chill overnight or up to 2 days. 

4. You can use the dough straight from the fridge and you will not have to roll it out.  Simply form it in your hands handing it by one end and let it stretch itself.  Rotate the pizza so that it is even.  Place on a pizza stone and bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Tip:  I do not preheat my pizza stone because I feel like the crusts always cooks way before the cheese is even melted that way, also the pizza tends to stick more.  I place the crust on a cool stone and just cook the pizza in a preheated oven and it has turned out perfect multiple times.  Be careful not to press down on the pizza dough when dressing it because otherwise it may stick.