Vegan Pizza Dough
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1 cup warm water
2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon granulated coconut sugar
3 cups unbleached organic all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons coconut oil
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Step 1: In a measuring cup, place warm water. The water should be warm to the touch making sure it's not too hot because hot water will kill the yeast; and water that is too cold will not activate it. Pour the yeast into the water, add sugar, and stir until both ingredients dissolve and a beige mixture results. Let stand for 5 minutes, until a thin layer of creamy foam covers surface, which indicates that the yeast is effective. Tip: If bubbles/foam have not formed within 5 minutes, start over with a new package of yeast
Step 2: Combine 3 cups flour with sea salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in your yeast mixture and coconut oil. Using a spoon, stir flour into well, blending well to get rid of any lumps. Next, place dough onto a lightly floured surface. Dust your hands with flour and knead gently. Turn and repeat until the dough is silky and elastic (less than 5 minutes) Add a little Coconut oil to your hands if the dough is too dry. Tip: if you knead too much it overdevelops the gluten in the flour and results in a tough crust..
Step 3: Form dough into a ball and lightly coat with coconut oil. (Less than a teaspoon) Place dough back in mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and drape a kitchen cloth over top..
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Let the dough rise in a place warm place (68 to 72 degrees) until it has doubled in size (about 1 to 2 hours). When the dough is ready, punch it down using your fist, to eliminate the air bubbles..
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This recipe will make:
One (1) 15 to 16 inch pizza
Divide dough in half; two (2) 12 inch pizzas two (2) 9 inch deep-dish pizzas..
Divide dough into 4 to 6 equal portions. Four (4) to six (6) 9 inch individuals..
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Dough can be kept refrigerated for up to 36 hours or sealed and froze for up to a month.
Tip: Let chilled dough come to room temperature before shaping..
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Baking: Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees for 30 minutes prior to baking. Pizzas should take between 10-15 minutes to bake