Cooking with Chef Bryan - Mixed Cheese Pizza with a 75% Hydration Crust

Indulge in the perfect pizza with a homemade 75% hydration crust that’s crispy on the outside and wonderfully chewy on the inside. Topped with a luxurious blend of cheeses, this pizza is a cheese lover’s dream come true.

INGREDIENTS

For the Dough: 4 cups bread flour (500g)

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons water (375g)

2 teaspoons salt (10g)

1/2 teaspoon instant yeast (2g)

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (20g)

For the Toppings: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

1/2 cup pizza sauce

Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Olive oil for brushing

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, and instant yeast. Slowly add the water, mixing with your hand or a spoon until a rough dough forms. Add the olive oil and continue mixing until the dough comes together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

2) Knead the Dough: After resting, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours or until doubled in size.

3) Shape the Dough: Preheat your oven to 500F with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a round pizza base, about 12-14 inches in diameter. Transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper for easy handling.

4) Assemble the Pizza: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, and crumbled blue cheese evenly over the sauce.

5) Bake the Pizza:Carefully slide the parchment paper with the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

6) Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Brush the crust with a bit of olive oil for extra flavor and shine. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, slice, and enjoy!