| 1 | Place a baking sheet on middle rack in oven. |
| 2 | Preheat oven to 400 °F. |
| 3 | Step 1: in a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup of the flour, yeast and salt until well blended. |
| 4 | Step 2: add very warm water and shortening. |
| 5 | Mix by hand until almost smooth. |
| 6 | Step 3: gradually stir in remaining 1 ?cups flour to make firm dough. |
| 7 | Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. |
| 8 | Step 4: divide dough in half. |
| 9 | With well-floured fingers, press half the dough into each pizza pan. |
| 10 | Generously prick dough with a fork. |
| 11 | Place one pizza pan on baking sheet. |
| 12 | Prebake crust for 10 minutes or just till it starts to turn light golden brown. |
| 13 | Remove from oven. |
| 14 | Bake second crust on hot baking sheet. |
| 15 | Add desired toppings. |
| 16 | Bake at 425 deg f. |
| 17 | Until cheese melts. |
| 18 | Variations: in step 1, substitute 1 cup whole wheat flour in place of white flour. |
| 19 | In step 2, increase water to 1 ?cups. |
| 20 | In step 3, use ?cup whole wheat flour and ?cup white flour. |
| 21 | In step 1, decrease salt to ?teaspoon. |
| 22 | Add ?teaspoon pepper. |
| 23 | In step 2, decrease shortening to one tablespoon. |
| 24 | In step 3, use only 1 ?cups flour and stir in ?cup shredded cheddar. |
| 25 | In step 1, add 2 teaspoons dried italian herb seasoning. |
| 26 | In step 2, stir in 1 clove garlic, minced, into warm water. |
