Reindeer Pizzas and the Best {EASY} Pizza Dough Yet!

I have tried a lot of pizza doughs since I started the blog. Some are whimisical, adding in different vegetable purees to color the dough.  Some are easy.  Some are time consuming.  Some are food chain knock-offs.  All were delicious.

But this one knocks them all out of the park!

I was saving up this recipe for next fall (I have a great Halloween pizza all ready for you!)  But I had a request for the recipe sooner and I’ve been dying to share it with you!

Homemade pizzas are actually our Christmas Eve (and Halloween) tradition.  They're quick, easy, and customizable.  And they kid friendly.  So when the kids are practically jumping out of their skin waiting to open presents or listen for the Polar Express or trying to catch Santa Clause, you can still get some food into those little tummies.

Okay, quick tangent and a super cute story...

A few weeks ago, I pulled out all of the Christmas books, including the Polar Express, and read it to the kids.  That night, Spud (age 4) ended up going to bed a bit before Dude (they share a room).  When we went into the bedroom to put Dude to bed, we sound Spud curled up on the floor with his blankie.  We woke him up and with a sleepy little voice he said, "I though I heard the Polar Express coming to get me!"  AHHH!  Cuteness overload!  Incidentally, we do live relatively close to some train tracks, so he probably really did hear a train.  I just love childhood iinnocence don't you?

Because of the spur of the moment post, we’ll have to make do with some hastily snapped cell phone photos!

But they’re sweet little reindeers, so maybe you can forgive me?  Be sure to scroll down below the dough recipe, where I’m also sharing my very favorite easy pizza sauce recipe!

Easy Pizza Dough

Adapted from Miss Information

4 cups flour, divided

4 ½ tsp instant/quick rise/pizza yeast (2 envelopes)

2 tsp sugar

1 ½ tsp salt

1 1/3 cup warm water (120 degrees F)

6 tbsp olive oil

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and place a baking stone (if using) in the oven to heat up.

Combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add the water and oil and mix on low until combined.

Slowly add in the remaining flour until the dough forms a ball.  Switch to the dough hook, continuing to mix on low, for 4 minutes.  Keep adding flour, bit by bit until the dough is no longer stick (lightly tacky is ok).

Alternately, mix the ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon.  Then turn out onto a countertop and slowly knead the remaining flour into the dough, kneading for an addition 6 minutes.

Sprinkle a pizza peel with cornmeal.  Roll the dough thin and add desired toppings (for reindeers, keep small pieces of dough aside and roll into anters and ears).  Bake for 8-12 minutes or until the crust is browned and the cheese is melty.

Make 2 medium pizzas

Easy Pizza Sauce

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

Place all of the ingredients into a bowl.  Stir to mix.  Spread on pizza.

Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers in a labeled container.