The Ultimate "Crazy Dough" Recipe: One Dough for Pizza, Cinnamon Rolls, Bread, and Dinner Rolls

Imagine a dough so versatile, it works for pizza, cinnamon rolls, bread, and even dinner rolls! Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, welcome to the world of Crazy Dough—a dough that lives up to its name by adapting to whatever you throw at it. Whether you're craving a cheesy pizza, a warm, buttery cinnamon roll, or the perfect loaf of bread, this dough can handle it all.

Once you master this recipe, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with different doughs for each of these treats. Best of all, it’s simple to make, doesn’t require much hands-on time, and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, making it even more convenient for busy days.

Let’s dive in and learn how to make this crazy dough step by step, and how you can use it for multiple recipes!

Why Crazy Dough?

What makes Crazy Dough so special is its adaptability. This dough can be used for so many different types of baked goods, yet it doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture. The basic ingredients are simple, and the method is foolproof, whether you're making pizza, bread, cinnamon rolls, or dinner rolls. It’s all about building the dough to have the perfect balance of elasticity and flavor while ensuring it works with a variety of toppings and fillings.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we get started, gather these basic ingredients that form the foundation of Crazy Dough:

  • Warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
  • Active dry yeast
  • Sugar (this helps activate the yeast)
  • Flour (all-purpose flour works great, but you can use whole wheat or bread flour depending on your preferences)
  • Olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • Salt
  • Milk (adds softness and moisture to the dough)
  • Optional: egg (for a slightly richer dough, especially for sweet rolls or bread)

Step-by-Step Method for Making Crazy Dough

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

The first step in making this dough is activating the yeast. This is crucial for getting the dough to rise properly.

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water with 1 tablespoon of sugar.
  2. Sprinkle 2 ¼ teaspoons (one packet) of active dry yeast over the surface of the water.
  3. Stir gently to dissolve the yeast and sugar, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is foamy. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired or the water too hot or cold, and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Once the yeast is activated, you can add the remaining liquid ingredients.

  1. Add ½ cup of milk to the yeast mixture. Milk softens the dough and gives it a slight richness.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or vegetable oil). This will help the dough stay moist and tender as it bakes.
  3. If you're making the dough for something like bread or cinnamon rolls, you can also add 1 egg at this stage to enrich the dough.

Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Now it’s time to bring the dough together with the dry ingredients.

  1. In a separate bowl, combine 4 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon of salt.
  2. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while stirring gently. You can do this with a wooden spoon or using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
  3. As the flour begins to incorporate, the dough will come together into a shaggy mass. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a little more water.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Once your dough is mixed, it’s time to knead it to develop the gluten, which gives it structure and elasticity.

  1. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead on low speed with the dough hook for about 5-7 minutes.
  2. If the dough is too sticky, add a little flour as needed, but be careful not to add too much. The dough should be slightly tacky to the touch but not overly sticky.

Step 5: Let the Dough Rise

Once kneaded, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.

  1. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
  2. If you’re making the dough in advance, you can place it in the fridge at this point. It will rise slowly in the fridge over the next 24 hours, and it will develop even better flavor as the yeast ferments the dough. Just remember to let it come to room temperature before you use it.

Step 6: Shape the Dough for Your Desired Recipe

Now that your dough has risen, you’re ready to shape it for whatever delicious dish you’re making. Here’s how you can use this dough for different recipes:

For Pizza:

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
  2. Punch down the dough to release the air, then divide it into two equal portions if you’re making two pizzas.
  3. Roll out each portion into a round shape on a lightly floured surface.
  4. Transfer to a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Add your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings, and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy.

For Cinnamon Rolls:

  1. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle.
  2. Spread melted butter over the surface of the dough, then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
  3. Roll the dough up tightly into a log, then slice it into 1-inch rolls.
  4. Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
  6. Drizzle with cream cheese frosting once cooled slightly.

For Bread:

  1. After the dough has risen, punch it down and shape it into a loaf.
  2. Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan.
  3. Cover and let it rise for another 30-60 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
  4. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes, or until it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

For Dinner Rolls:

  1. After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into small, equal portions (about 12-16 balls for a standard batch of dinner rolls).
  2. Place the balls into a greased baking dish, arranging them close together.
  3. Let them rise for 30 minutes, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden and puffy.
  4. Brush the rolls with butter for an extra touch of flavor.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Once your Crazy Dough creation is baked and cooled (if necessary), it’s time to enjoy your delicious homemade dish. The beauty of this dough is that it can be customized to your liking, whether you’re adding toppings to pizza, filling cinnamon rolls with sugary goodness, or simply enjoying warm, soft dinner rolls.

Storing Leftover Dough

If you have leftover dough (or if you just want to make the dough in advance), you can store it in the fridge for up to a week. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. When you're ready to use it, take it out of the fridge, let it come to room temperature, and proceed with your recipe.

Conclusion

The Crazy Dough is truly a game-changer in the kitchen. With just one dough recipe, you can create everything from pizza and cinnamon rolls to bread and dinner rolls. Once you make it, you’ll never go back to juggling multiple dough recipes again. Keep this simple, versatile dough recipe in your back pocket, and you'll always have a go-to base for all your baking needs!