I never buy pizza crusts. They are easy to make and inexpensive compared to store-bought. You can also vary them with different flours, or herbs. This recipe is very forgiving as long as your water is not too hot (it kills the yeast).

Yield: Makes 2 crusts 

Ingredients

1 Tbsp active dry baking yeast 

3 Tbsp maple syrup 

1¼ cup warm water (about 110 degrees F) 

2½ cups whole-wheat bread flour, more as needed 

½ tsp sea salt

Directions

1. Add the yeast and maple syrup to the warm water and whisk them together. Let the mixture sit until it starts to foam.
2. Add the salt and, using a whisk, stir in 1 cup of the flour. 
3. Beat the dough for 3 minutes, slowly adding in more of the remaining flour.
4. When the dough becomes too stiff to use a whisk, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it by hand, adding more flour until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
5. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it sit in a warm place until it has doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. 
6. Punch it down and let it rise again, about 15 minutes. 
7. Divide the dough into two pieces and shape into two round, flat crusts. 
8. Let it rest, covered, for 15 minutes before using it in your pizza recipe.