Friendly’s Italian Pizza Dough

1.In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and Italian seasoning.

3.Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the egg yolks and olive oil.

4.Pour the foamy yeast mixture into the well. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

5.Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour as needed.

6.Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.

7.Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

8.Punch down the dough to release air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide into 2–4 equal portions, depending on desired pizza size.

9.Shape each portion into a ball. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes before stretching or rolling out for pizza.

10.Top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake as desired.