Fast French Bread and also Pizza Dough (2 1/2 hours start to finish)

I have this recipe memorized and make it all the time. Below you will see it in rolls, pizza crust, and calzone form. It is super versatile!

Below has a golden color because it was brushed with an egg whisked with a bit of water.

Makes 3 regular sized loaves or 3 round pizzas. (Or 2 bigger loaves/pizzas). (Or one giant loaf/pizza).

2 ½ c. warm water
2 Tbsp active dry yeast
3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp salt (slightly less)
¼ c. oil
3 c. flour
1 egg
3 c. flour

(throw in some herbs or seasonings if you feel like it)

In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle yeast and sugar on water and let sit for 10 minutes.  Then add salt, oil, flour, and egg and mix well.  Then stir in remaining 3 cups of flour until all combined.

Let rise in warm place for 1 hour in mixing bowl, stirring it down every 20 minutes.  (Mixing bowl should be covered with a towel or plastic so that it does not dry out). 

Divide the dough into thirds and shape into loaves or pizza crusts.  If making pizza, it’s ready to top and cook in the oven at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes.

If making bread, place loaves on/in oiled pans to rise for 30 more minutes.  (Brush with egg white if desired, and slash with knife, and cover in oil-sprayed plastic wrap while rising).  Preheat oven to 400 and bake for 25 minutes.

You can make this dough a day ahead of time and keep in the fridge, stirring as needed if it rises too high.  Make sure it comes to room temperature though for the last shaping before it goes into the oven.  Great for hot pockets or calzones too.

That time we made heart-shaped individual pizzas for Valentine's day.