Authentic Detroit Style Pizza Dough Recipe for the Best Pizza

As a self-proclaimed pizza enthusiast, I have tried countless pizza styles from around the world. However, one style that has recently captured my attention is Detroit-style pizza. Originating in the Motor City in the 1940s, this unique and delicious pizza has gained popularity across the United States and beyond.

The history of Detroit-style pizza is fascinating. Gus Guerra first created it at Buddy’s Rendezvous restaurant in 1946. The story goes that Gus used steel automotive parts trays as baking pans for his pizzas, giving them their distinctive rectangular shape and crispy edges. This innovative pizza-making approach quickly caught on with locals, who loved its thick yet airy crust and generous toppings.

In recent years, Detroit-style pizza has experienced a resurgence in popularity across the country. Its rise can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, food enthusiasts always seek new culinary experiences and unique flavors. The distinct characteristics of Detroit-style pizza make it stand out from other traditional styles like New York or Chicago deep-dish.

Key Takeaways

• Detroit-style pizza is a unique and delicious pizza style that originated in Detroit, Michigan.
• Authentic Detroit-style pizza dough requires a few key ingredients, including bread flour, yeast, water, and salt.
• To make perfect Detroit-style pizza dough, it’s essential to follow the step-by-step instructions carefully and pay attention to details like kneading and rising times.
• Once your dough is ready, store it in the fridge or freezer for later use, or prepare it for baking with your favorite toppings on a seasoned pizza pan.
• With practice and attention to detail, you can impress your friends and family with your homemade Detroit-style pizza.

What Makes Detroit-Style Pizza Unique?

Detroit-style pizza is known for its distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other pizza styles. Firstly, its crust makes it unique – thick yet light and airy on the inside while crispy on the outside due to being baked in well-oiled pans or trays.

Another defining feature of this style is how toppings are arranged on top of the cheese rather than underneath it, like traditional pizzas. This allows for a delightful contrast between gooey melted cheese and caramelized edges where sauce meets crust.

Additionally, Detroit-style pizzas often have a generous amount of cheese that extends to those crispy edges that become beautifully caramelized during baking – creating an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Authentic Detroit-Style Pizza Dough

You’ll need a few critical ingredients for the dough to create an authentic Detroit-style pizza. These include flour, yeast, water, salt, and oil.

When it comes to flour, it’s essential to use high-protein bread flour as it provides the necessary structure and chewiness to the crust. Yeast is vital for leavening the dough and giving it that light and airy texture. Water is needed to hydrate the dough, while salt adds flavor and helps regulate fermentation. Lastly, a small amount of oil is used in the dough and pan to create that signature crispy crust.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Dough

Now that our ingredients are ready let’s make an authentic Detroit-style pizza dough from scratch.

1. Mixing the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of bread flour with 2 teaspoons of instant yeast and 2 teaspoons of salt.

2. Kneading the Dough: Slowly add 1¾ cups of warm water while stirring with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Then transfer it onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

3. Letting It Rise: Place your kneaded dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, then let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size, a crucial step for pan pizza recipes.

4. Shaping The Dough: Once your dough has risen, punch down gently on its surface to release any trapped air bubbles before transferring it onto an oiled baking sheet or pan – preferably rectangular-shaped like traditional Detroit-style pizzas.

Tips for Perfecting Your Dough

To ensure your Detroit-style pizza turns out perfect every time, here are some tips:

1. Measuring Ingredients Accurately: Use measuring cups or kitchen scales when measuring ingredients, as accuracy is vital in achieving consistent results.

2. Using the Right Type of Flour: As mentioned earlier, bread flour with a high protein content is crucial for achieving that chewy and airy texture in the crust. Please don’t use all-purpose flour; it won’t produce the same results.

3. Kneading The Dough Properly: When kneading the dough, you stretch and fold it to develop gluten strands that give structure to your crust.

4. Letting It Rise For The Right Amount of Time: Pay attention to the rising time indicated in the recipe, as it can vary depending on factors such as room temperature and yeast activity. A properly risen dough will be light, fluffy, and doubled in size.

How to Store Your Dough for Later Use

If you find yourself with leftover dough or want to prepare ahead of time, here are two methods for storing your Detroit-style pizza dough:

1. Refrigerating The Dough: After shaping your dough into a ball for your Detroit-style pizza recipe, lightly coat it with oil before placing it in an airtight container or plastic bag. Please store it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours before using it.

2. Freezing The Dough: If you want to store your dough for extended periods, freezing is an excellent option, especially for a Detroit pizza recipe you plan to enjoy later. Divide your shaped dough into portions for your pan pizza recipe and wrap each tightly with plastic or aluminum foil before placing them inside freezer bags or containers labeled with dates.

Preparing Your Dough For Baking

Now that we have our perfectly risen and shaped Detroit-style pizza dough ready let’s prepare it for baking!

1. Spreading The Dough In The Pan: Take an oiled rectangular baking pan or tray – preferably one specifically designed for Detroit-style pizzas – then gently stretch out your risen dough until it covers the entire surface area while leaving some space around the edges where the crust will form during the baking process.

2. Adding Sauce And Toppings: Spread a generous amount of tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Then sprinkle your favorite toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, or even pineapple if you’re feeling adventurous. Finally, top it off with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Choosing The Right Toppings For Your Detroit-Style Pizza

You have endless possibilities when choosing toppings for your Detroit-style pizza, from traditional pepperoni to a lavish spread of brick cheese. However, conventional and creative options can take your pizza to the next level.

1. Traditional Toppings: Classic Detroit-style pizzas often feature pepperoni as the star topping and other favorites like green peppers and onions. These toppings add flavor and provide a beautiful contrast against the crispy crust of Detroit pizza.

2. Creative Toppings: If you’re feeling adventurous and want to experiment with unique flavors, try adding ingredients like caramelized onions or roasted garlic for an extra depth of flavor. You can also opt for gourmet cheeses like gorgonzola or goat cheese to elevate your pizza experience.

Baking Your Pizza To Perfection

Now that our dough is topped with delicious sauce and toppings let’s begin baking our Detroit-style pizza!

1. Oven Temperature And Time: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) – this high temperature is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy crust while ensuring all the toppings are cooked through. Bake your pizza on the lower rack of the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

2. Checking For Doneness: To ensure your pizza is fully cooked, insert a toothpick into its center – if it comes out clean without any raw dough sticking, it’s ready! Remember that baking times may vary depending on individual ovens, so keep an eye on it during cooking.

Serving And Enjoying Your Delicious Detroit-Style Pizza

Finally! Our perfectly baked Detroit-style pizza is ready to be enjoyed. Here are some tips for serving and pairing it with drinks:

1. Cutting And Serving The Pizza: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice your rectangular pizza into squares or rectangles – another unique aspect of Detroit-style pizzas that sets them apart from traditional round ones. Serve it hot and fresh, allowing everyone to savor the crispy crust and gooey cheese.

2. Pairing With Drinks: To complement the rich flavors of your Detroit-style pizza, consider serving it with a refreshing beverage like an ice-cold craft beer or a glass of red wine. The carbonation in beer helps cleanse the palate between bites, while wine enhances the overall dining experience.

Conclusion And Final Thoughts on Making Authentic Detroit-Style Pizza Dough

In conclusion, making authentic Detroit-style pizza dough is a rewarding culinary adventure that allows you to recreate this beloved regional specialty in your home. Following these step-by-step instructions and incorporating some helpful tips, you can achieve that perfect balance of crispy crust, airy texture, and delicious toppings.

Remember to experiment with different toppings and get creative with flavors to make each pizza uniquely yours. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply craving a slice of nostalgia from Motor City, I encourage you to try making authentic Detroit-style pizza dough at home – trust me, once you take that first bite into its crispy yet fluffy goodness, there’s no turning back!

FAQs

What is Detroit-style pizza?

Detroit-style pizza is rectangular with a thick, crispy crust that is light and airy on the inside. It is typically baked in a well-oiled, rectangular pan, and the cheese and toppings are placed on the sauce.

What are the ingredients for Detroit-style pizza dough?

The Detroit-style pizza dough ingredients include bread flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, water, and olive oil.

What is the process for making Detroit-style pizza dough?

Mix the dry ingredients to make Detroit-style pizza dough, then add the water and olive oil. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, then let it rise for several hours. Once the dough has risen, press it into a well-oiled rectangular pan and let it rise again before adding the sauce, cheese, and toppings.

What makes Detroit-style pizza different from other styles of pizza?

Detroit-style pizza differs from other pizza styles because of its thick, crispy crust and rectangular shape. It is also unique because the cheese and toppings are placed on top of the sauce rather than underneath it.

What are some popular toppings for Detroit-style pizza?

Some popular toppings for Detroit-style pizza include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives. However, you can use any toppings you like to customize your pizza to your taste.

What is the key to achieving a chewy crust in Detroit-Style Pizza?

The key to achieving a chewy crust in Detroit-style pizza is allowing the dough to ferment correctly. This helps develop flavor and texture in the crust.

Can I use a regular pizza pan to make Detroit-style pizza?

Detroit-style pizza is traditionally made in a specific Detroit-style pan to achieve its characteristic thick crust and crispy edges. Using a regular pizza pan may not produce the same results.

How do I transfer Detroit-style pizza from the pan to a cutting board?

To transfer Detroit-style pizza from the pan to a cutting board, use a spatula to carefully lift the pizza out of the pan, supporting it from underneath to prevent it from breaking.

What type of cheese is typically used in Detroit-Style Pizza?

A: Detroit-style pizza traditionally uses Wisconsin brick cheese, which has a unique melt and flavor profile that complements the other ingredients.

How should I stretch the dough for Detroit-Style Pizza?

A: To stretch the dough for Detroit-style pizza, use your fingertips to gently press the dough outward from the center, extending it to the edges of the pan to create an even crust.