CRACKER CRUST PIZZA RECIPES

Steps:

• In a heavy-duty stand mixer (e.g., KitchenAid) fitted with dough hook, add the water, oil, yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix thoroughly until yeast has fully dissolved. Add flour and mix on low speed until all of the flour and water have mixed and a stiff dough ball forms, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stop mixing as soon as the dough ball forms as this type of dough should not be kneaded.
• Place the dough ball into a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 24 hours in the refrigerator before using.
• Preheat your oven to 500 °F about one hour before you plan to bake the pizza.
• Turn the dough out onto a large surface and dust with flour. Using a heavy rolling pin (or dough sheeter), roll the dough out very thin to form a 24-inch or larger circle. If you're using a cutter pizza pan (recommended), dust the pan lightly with flour, place the dough in the pan and dock. Use the rolling pin to trim off the excess dough drooping over the sides of the pan. If you wish to cook the pizza directly on a pizza stone (not using a pan), then place the dough on a dusted pizza-peel, dock, and fold the edge over 1-inch all the way around and pinch it up to form a raised lip or rim.
• Optionally, pre-cook the crust for 4 minutes before adding any sauce or toppings. Remove the crust from the oven and pop any large air pockets that may have formed. Add the sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings. Continue baking, on the lowest oven rack, rotating the pan half way through so that it cooks evenly, until crust is sufficiently browned and crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven and slide pizza out of cooking pan onto a large wire cooling rack or cutting board. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving pan. This step allows the crust to stay crisp while it cools, otherwise the trapped steam will soften the crust.

Steps:

• To prepare crust, combine 5 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon oil, and yeast in a bowl. Let stand 2 minutes. Weigh or lightly spoon 5 ounces bread flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Sprinkle bread flour over yeast mixture. Add semolina flour, rosemary, and salt. Stir until just combined. Turn dough onto counter; knead 1 minute. Place dough in a medium bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and place in a warm place, free from drafts, 40 minutes.
• Position an oven rack in lowest setting. Place a pizza stone on lowest rack. Preheat oven and pizza stone to 500°; leave stone in oven 30 minutes.
• To prepare topping, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons oil; swirl. Add mushrooms; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic and pepper; sauté 3 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough out to a thin 14-inch circle. Transfer dough to a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal. Brush the dough with 1 teaspoon oil. Slide dough onto the preheated pizza stone, using a spatula as a guide. Reduce oven temperature to 475°; bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Spread sauce over crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border; top with mozzarella cheese, mushroom mixture, and Parmigiano. Bake 4 minutes or until crust is browned. Slice pizza into 8 wedges.