St￭ Crust Pizza

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¾ cup warm water (110°F or 43°C)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, string cheese or cubed
• 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni (or any other desired toppings)
• ½ cup bell peppers, diced
• ½ cup onions, diced
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes or until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is alive.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to ensure it's hot enough for baking pizza.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large circle about 12 inches in diameter. Place the cheese sticks or cubes around the edge of the rolled-out dough.
7. Fold the edge of the dough over the cheese, press down to seal, and create a st￭ crust. Make sure there are no holes for the cheese to escape during baking.
8. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Layer your favorite pizza toppings on top.
9. Carefully transfer the pizza to a baking sheet or pizza stone. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
10. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice and serve warm, garnished with fresh basil if desired.

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