A Homemade Life: Homemade Italian bread shells

My daughter Carrie, over at Life on a Back Road, is starting something new on her blog -- a feature called A Homemade Life, complete with a Mr. Linky, where people can share their ideas and links for homemade goodies of all kinds. I want to get in on this, and I imagine some of my readers and friends will want to join in, too. If you don't have your own blog, no problem -- Carrie shares the details of how you can still get involved.

Recently, I tried a pizza recipe that called for an Italian bread dough shell -- the usual brand name is Boboli®. I just rebel against spending money for such items if it's possible to make them at home. I went looking on the internet and found this one, which I adapted slightly. It worked out really, really well, tastes delicious and looks just like the kind you can buy. I didn't total up the price of the two crusts made from the recipe, but it has to be a whole lot cheaper than the $3.19 for one price at my local supermarket!

Rachel asked if I would share the recipe, so here it is.

Boboli®- Type Pizza Crust

This is a bread machine recipe. If you happen not to own one, just prepare this as you would a standard yeast dough.

1 cup water
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Additional shredded Parmesan cheese for tops of crusts

Add all ingredients except additional Parmesan cheese to bread machine in order listed. Set bread machine on dough setting.

When dough cycle finishes, form two crusts on pizza pans, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese, cover and let rise again.

Bake 5 to 10 minutes at about 450º until light brown.

Cool. Use right away or package in plastic bags and freeze until you are ready to make the pizza.

Yield: 2 crusts.

So, if you are interested in more homemade goodness, go on over to Life on a Back Road and see what others have shared. Be sure and share your own ideas, too!