100% Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

A bit of warning to those who may decide to try this recipe.  It's healthy.  If you are wanting that greasy, no-good-for-you type of pizza, this is NOT it.  But if you want pizza and don't want to feel guilty after downing some slices, then this crust is a good place to start.  I made it into a veggie pizza for us to nosh on while watching the NFC/AFC championship games, and it came out so pretty, that I just had to take a picture!  It tasted pretty good too!

2 cups whole wheat flour (plus more for kneading)

1 package active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 Tablespoon olive oil

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons dried Italian seasoning

1/2 to 1 Tablespoon garlic powder (adjust measurement according to how garlicky you want your crust)

In a small mixing bowl, combine water, sugar and yeast.  Let it sit for 5 minutes.

In large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.  Make a well in the center and pour in olive oil and yeast mixture.  Stir until it just comes together.  Then, knead by hand 5 to 10 minutes.  Add flour as you knead until the dough no longer sticks to your hands.

Shape dough into a ball, place in greased bowl and cover the bowl with greased plastic wrap.  Allow to rise for 2 hours in a warm spot.  If it has not doubled in size, let it keep rising!   

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Push out dough on your pizza pan and make a crust.  Pre-bake it for 5-10 minutes (this keeps the crust from being soggy in the middle).  Then top with your favorite toppings.  My veggie pizza had roma tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, green pepper and spinach, along with pizza sauce and cheese.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.  

(Recipe adapted from here.)