Pizza Crust

[Minnie_Purl]

1 1/4 Cup Warm Water
1/4 Cup Dark Karo Syrup
1 Package Dry Yeast
1 Egg
½ Cup Instant Plain Oatmeal
½ Cup Med. Rye Flour
½ Cup Whole Wheat Flour
½ Cup Packed Brown Sugar
½ Cup Crisco (regular)
White Flour – Start with 2 Cups and increase to approx. 3 Cups – depends on humidity

Combine yeast, karo and warm water and mix. Add brown sugar, egg (slightly beaten) and oatmeal and stir. Add Crisco and stir again. Proceed to adding medium rye flour and whole wheat flour and mix. Lastly, start adding white flour, start with 2 Cups and gradually add until dough is the right texture, knead until silky to the touch. Do not add too much flour or knead too long; will make the dough tough.

Lightly coat dough with vegetable oil (or you can lightly spray) and let rise for 1 hour in covered mixing bowl. Punch down and spread on rectangular cookie sheet, cover and let rise for 1 hour. Bake at 350° F, for approximately 15 minutes. Do not let dough start to brown. (The pizza crust can be made up to one day in advance before toppings are added and baked again.)

Add toppings and bake at 350° F until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Preferred toppings:

Delgrosso Deluxe Pizza Sauce (do not use Ragu) – Fresh Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms – 8 oz. ball of Mozzarella – Deli Pepperoni/Summer Sausage – season as usual (Celery Salt, Garlic Powder, Parsley, Oregano, and Pepper (Season All - optional))
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Happy Knitting ~Aunt Minnie Purl~