Master Instructions

1. Prepare dough as directed in pizza recipe. Adjust rack to middle-low position and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush about ¹/₂ tablespoon oil over bottom and sides of 14-inch pizza pan that measures 2 inches deep. Turn punched-down dough directly into greased pan.

 

2. Oil hands and press dough with fingertips to fit evenly into pan. While pressing dough, build up 2-inch-high lip around edges of pan. Let dough rest 5 to 10 minutes, during which time lip will fall a bit. With oiled hands, build up lip once again. When pizza goes into oven, lip should be about 1 inch high. The rest of dough should have even thickness of about ¹/₄ inch.

 

3. Prick dough all over with fork and bake without toppings in preheated oven until crust is set, about 4 minutes. Remove pan from oven. Brush crust with 1 tablespoon oil, prick any bubbles with fork, and add toppings as directed in specific recipes.

 

4. Return pizza to oven and bake until bottom of crust is lightly browned and toppings are sizzling, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove pizza from oven, and serve immediately.