Best Pizza Dough Ever

This recipe is from allrecipes.com called Jay's Signature Crust. It's definitely the best pizza dough I've ever had. I don't think I'll ever use another recipe.

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water, and let sit for 10 minutes.  Stir the salt and oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour. Turn dough out onto a clean, well floured surface, and knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out. Use for your favorite pizza recipe. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). If you are baking the dough on a pizza stone, you may place your toppings on the dough, and bake immediately. If you are baking your pizza in a pan, lightly oil the pan, and let the dough rise for 15 or 20 minutes before topping and baking it. Bake pizza in preheated oven, until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Cake Mix Cut-Out Cookies

Makes: 3 dozen

• 1 Box Cake Mix
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Stick Softened Butter
• 1 t Vanilla

Instructions

1. Mix ingredients well.
2. Chill dough for 2 hours
3. Roll out on floured surface and cut with cookie cutters.
4. Decorate as desired.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes on a greased/lined cookie sheet

I'm not sure if American cake mixes are different than ours, I used a Betty Crocker Cake mix, but I had to add quite a bit of flour to make a stiff dough. Unfortunately, I didn't measure, I just kept adding it until it was roll-able. Otherwise the cookies were delicious! Can't wait to try other flavours.

Carrot & Zucchini Bars

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens cook book

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrot*
• 1 packed cup shredded zucchini*
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 Tbsp flax seed meal (optional)

*After shredding your carrots and zucchini lightly pat dry with a paper towel if they seem too damp

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350* F.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, ginger and baking soda.
3. In another large bowl stir together eggs, carrot, zucchini, brown sugar, raisins, oil, honey and vanilla.
4. Add carrot mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined.
5. Spread batter in an ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan. (Optional: sprinkle flax seed meal evenly over the top of the bars before baking-- it makes the bars less sticky, I use powdered sugar)
6. Bake about 25 min or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean (I usually bake until 20 and then test it from there).
7. Cool in pan and then cut into bars, or whatever shape desired. 

 This recipe came from Momables , check out their site for many other great recipes! They also offer a menu plan/recipe subscription.

Pancakes

• 2 cups  homemade biscuit mix
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Mix all ingredients together until moistened. Be careful not to over-mix the batter.
2. Drop by cupfuls onto a hot griddle.

Homemade Bisuit Mix

• 20 cups flour
• 3/4 cup baking powder
• 1 Tbsp cream of tartar
• 2 Tbsp salt
• 5 cups Lard
• 4 cups dry milk powder

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.
2. Using a pastry blender, cut in the lard until it resembles corn meal.
3. Store the mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 months 

To Make Biscuits:

• 3 cups baking mix
•  3/4 cup milk or water

1. Mix together biscuit mix and milk.
2. Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking stone, cast iron skillet, or greased cookie sheet.
3. Cook at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Add 1/3 cup shredded cheese and chopped herbs to dough for a cheesy herb biscuit


For rolled biscuits I start with 1/2 cup of water and work in more as needed to make a roll-able dough