This easy pizza dough recipe is for the kids to make with you. Since it's Good Friday, I've included a free devotional to go along with each step of the pizza making process. I hope you enjoy this treasured family recipe and feel the love of God as you make and eat pizza together. Here's to making fun memories with your kids!
We are going to be making a simple version of my beautiful, Italian grandma’s tasty recipe for homemade pizza and use it to discuss how Jesus, the Bread of Life, suffered, died and rose again for our sins as we make our pizza. Btw, this pizza recipe is more of a “deep dish” version, and it is yummy!
Goal: By the end of our time together, we will be eating homemade pizza with the delicious aroma of bread filling our homes, and we will have learned how to make pizza and how this symbolizes God’s great love for us.
Time: The time you will spend dough making is only about 20 minutes. But it will need to rise 1 hour. Then you will punch it down (your kids will especially love that part), reshape it into two pizzas, and it will need to rise 1 more hour (2 total hours to rise). Next, it will be ready to decorate with sauce, cheese, toppings and bake in the oven 25 minutes. So plan to be eating pizza roughly 3 hours after you begin. But of course the prep time is only about 30 minutes.
Parenting Tip: Before you begin this activity, communicate your expectations to your kids. Perhaps the child with the most positive attitude who is the kindest and does the best job participating and helps clean up gets to eat the first slice of pizza. Be sure to thank them as they display that positive attitude you want to see more of. Kids need encouragement more than you think.
STEP 1: SCAVENGER HUNT INGREDIENTS
Here are all the ingredients you need. Tell your kids you are having a scavenger hunt and give them the list and have them bring it to your kitchen counter for you! It can even be a contest to see who grabs their ingredients first. Make it kids vs. you. They’re on the same team. Let them learn to work together. If you have multiple kids, divide the list up so everyone can search for different ingredients or they might be fighting over who grabs the flour first : )
Pizza Bread Ingredients:
· ½ cup milk
· 3 tablespoons sugar
· 2.5 teaspoons salt
· 3.5 tablespoons butter
· 2 packets dry yeast
· 1 ½ cup warm water (approx 105-110 degrees)
· 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
Pizza Sauce and Toppings Ingredients:
· 1 can or jar of your favorite pizza sauce or marina sauce
· 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
· A pinch (or 1 teaspoon) of oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper to sprinkle on top of each pizza
· Your choice of favorite pizza toppings to add if you want.
Other Materials needed for pizza bread making:
· Small saucepan
· Mug
· Large mixing bowl & mixer or Kitchen Aid Mixer
· Flat baking sheets or pizza pans
· Aprons
· Soap to wash your hands!
· A Bible if you want to go through the devotional with your kids, though I included scriptures on here so you don’t need to.
· Clean Blanket or Towels to place on outside and top of bowl to keep dough warm when bread is rising.
Before we proceed to Step 2, here’s a devotion you can do with your kids if you want:
STEP 1: DEVOTION
Scripture:
John 6:35
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Reflection Question:
Why do you think Jesus is called the Bread of life? What does that mean for you? How often do you think you need Jesus? How often do you think Jesus wants to make himself available to you?
Prayer:
Prayer: Jesus thank you that you are the Bread of Life. Just as we can’t live without food or bread, today we remember how we cannot live without you or your words. Teach us today more about who you are, how much you love us, and bless this pizza we make, our family and our time together.
STEP 2: MAKE PIZZA DOUGH
Now for making the Pizza Dough:
1.) Mix butter, milk, salt and sugar in small saucepan on low heat, stir till butter melts, and sugar and salt is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool till lukewarm.
2.) Dissolve yeast in a mug or small bowl with warm water.
3.) In a big mixing bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid mixer) add your dissolved yeast and water mixture. Next, add lukewarm milk/butter mixture to same bowl. Now stir in 4 cups of flour. Mix on low speed. One mixed add the rest of the flour about ½ cup at a time until dough sticks to bowl. Keep kneading until dough seems smooth and sticky.
STEP 2: DEVOTION
Scripture:
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
John 3:16-17
“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”
Reflection Question:
Why do you think Jesus is a gift God gave the world out of love? What do you think Jesus is saving you from?
Prayer:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you love us so much that you gave us the gift of Jesus. Today, I remember how Jesus suffered and died on a cross for my sins, so that whoever believes in him can have eternal life. Help me to share your love with others.
STEP 3: COVER DOUGH IN DARKNESS
Now that we have made our dough, it is time to let it rise.
4.) Once all mixed together, place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with some towels or blankets and place in a warm place until it doubles. About 1 hour.
STEP 3: DEVOTION
Scripture:
1 Peter 3:18
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Reflection:
Why did Jesus have to suffer on the cross? What does that mean for you?
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for taking on the full punishment for my sins so I can be forgiven. Thank you for paying the price and full punishment that I deserved so I can stand completely righteous before you. I don’t have to live guilty anymore. Thank you that you call me your child. Help me to live each day for you.
STEP 4: PUNCH DOUGH, DIVIDE, LET RISE AGAIN
5.) Punch the dough. Divide in half.
6.) Take two halves and shape into pizzas. Each on their own flat, greased, pan.
7.) Place on greased flat baking sheet or pizza pie pan. Cover and let it rise another hour (so it can rise more).
STEP 4: DEVOTION
Scripture:
Isaiah 53:5
“5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Reflection:
What is one thing you would like to thank Jesus for?
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of your own life so that I can be completely forgiven and have a close relationship with you and spend eternity with you in Heaven. Teach me how to walk closer with you. Teach me to read your word and hear your voice.
STEP 5: DECORATE PIZZA with RED SAUCE
8.) After the hour, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
9.) Go grab your favorite pizza sauce and add that sauce to your pizza.
10.) Add oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder.
11.) Sprinkle on top mozzarella cheese as much as you like.
12.) Add toppings of your choice.
13.) Bake pizza at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes
STEP 5: DEVOTION
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ... Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation."
Reflection:
What do you think the red sauces on the pizza represents?
What do you think the white cheese represents?
Prayer:
Thank you Jesus that your blood, like the red sauce, washed over me and makes me white as snow before you, like the mozzarella cheese. Thank you that I am a new creation in Christ. Just like this cooked pizza. And that I can do all things through you!
STEP 6: EAT
14.) As my Italian grandmother would say, Mangia! Mangia! (Eat! Eat!) and ENJOY!
STEP 6: DEVOTION
Scripture:
John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
Reflection:
What does Jesus being the resurrection and life mean for you?
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, that you are the resurrection and the life. I give my life to you and I ask you to use it for your full glory.
I hope you enjoy that pizza and making the most of an opportunity to make a memory with your kids. If you liked this post and pizza, leave me a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear from you.
In Christ,
Laura Stavlas