WHITE FLOUR MASTER DOUGH

White Flour Master Dough image

This dough requires at least 12 hours of chilling. I recommend making the dough at least 1 day ahead. On the day you plan to bake, follow the steps according to the type of pizza or focaccia you are making.

Provided by Peter Reinhart

Time 12h25m

Yield enough dough for 1 sheet pan or 2 to 3 round focaccia

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

4 1/3 cup (567 grams) unbleached bread flour
1 3/4 (11 grams) teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/4 (4 grams) teaspoons instant yeast
2 cups (454 grams) water, cool (about 60 degrees F)
2 tablespoons (28 grams) olive oil, plus more for oiling the pan and dough

Steps:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt and yeast. Add all of the water and mix on slow speed for 30 seconds or stir with a large spoon to form a coarse, shaggy dough. Add the 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, increase the speed to medium (or continue mixing with the spoon or with wet hands), and mix for another 30 to 60 seconds to make a wet, coarse, sticky dough. It may seem too wet to form a cohesive dough at this stage. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes to fully hydrate.
Increase the mixer speed to medium-high (or continue mixing by hand) and mix for another 30 to 60 seconds to make a smooth, sticky dough. It should be soft, supple and sticky to the touch, and offer a little resistance when pressed with a wet finger.
Use 1 teaspoon of the extra oil to make a 15-inch-diameter oil slick on the work surface. Rub some oil on a plastic bowl scraper and on your hands and use the scraper to transfer the dough to the oil slick. Stretch and fold the dough. Cover the dough with a bowl and let it rest for 2 to 5 minutes. Repeat the stretch and fold (rub more oil on the work surface as needed), cover the dough, and let it rest for 2 to 5 minutes. Then repeat the stretch and fold, cover with the bowl, and again let it rest for 2 to 5 minutes. Perform a fourth and final stretch and fold to make a smooth ball of dough. The dough will have firmed up after each stretch and fold and will now be soft, smooth, supple, and somewhat sticky but firm enough to hold together when lifted. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 12 to 72 hours.