Crazy Dough Recipe for Pizza, Cinnamon Rolls, and More!

 

🍞 Crazy Dough Recipe: One Dough to Rule Them All

If you’ve ever dreamed of having one master dough recipe that can transform into pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, breadsticks, naan, focaccia, or even donuts, you’re about to be thrilled. Meet Crazy Dough—a wildly popular and flexible dough recipe that lives up to its name.

It’s called crazy for a reason. This dough is:

• Easy to prepare in a single bowl

• Flexible enough to be stored in the fridge for days

• Freezable for up to a month

• Usable for both sweet and savory creations

---

👩‍🍳 Why Crazy Dough is a Game-Changer

Imagine waking up and using the same dough to make cinnamon rolls for breakfast, then rolling out some pizza crust for dinner, and baking cheese breadsticks for snacks in between—all from one big batch of dough.

That’s the beauty of crazy dough: it’s reliable, adaptable, and made with pantry staples. You don’t need separate recipes for each type of bread. Whether it’s airy pizza crust or gooey rolls drenched in frosting, this dough delivers every time.

---

🧾 Ingredients for Basic Crazy Dough

Yield: 2 pounds of dough (enough for 2 large pizzas or 16 cinnamon rolls)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rising Time: 1–1.5 hours (plus optional overnight fridge proof)
Total Time: 2 hours (or longer if proofed overnight)

🥣 Dry Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar

• 2 teaspoons (10g) salt

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast or active dry yeast

🧪 Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (110°F / 43°C)

• 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt or sour cream

• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil or melted butter

• 1 large egg

🧠 Note: The yogurt makes this dough incredibly soft and pillowy. It also helps add a slight tang, similar to enriched doughs.

---

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast (if using active dry)

If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk with the sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy. If using instant yeast, you can skip this step and mix it directly into the flour.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

• Yogurt

• Oil

• Egg

• Warm milk (with yeast if proofed)

Make sure everything is at room temperature or slightly warm. Cold ingredients will slow down yeast activity.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, combine:

• Flour

• Salt

• Instant yeast (if you didn't bloom it earlier)

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Once combined, knead the dough:

• By hand: On a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes.

• With a stand mixer: Using a dough hook for 6–8 minutes on medium speed.

You're aiming for a soft, slightly sticky dough that springs back when poked.

🧠 Tip: If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of milk. If too wet, dust with more flour a little at a time.

Step 5: First Rise

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.

• Let rise for 1–1.5 hours in a warm, draft-free spot.

• It should double in size.

Optional: For even better flavor and texture, place the covered dough in the refrigerator overnight for a cold rise.

---

🧊 Storing Crazy Dough

Once the dough has risen:

• Use immediately, or

• Wrap tightly in plastic and store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or

• Freeze in an airtight bag for up to 1 month

To use from frozen: thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.

---

🍕 1. Pizza Crust with Crazy Dough

Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Transfer to a greased pizza pan or baking stone. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings.

🍕 Baking Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C)

• Bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.

🧠 Tip: For extra crispiness, pre-bake the crust for 5 minutes before adding toppings.

---

🍬 2. Cinnamon Rolls with Crazy Dough

Roll out dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.

🍯 Filling:

• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1/4 cup (60g) softened butter

Spread the butter over the dough, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly, then roll up tightly from the long edge. Slice into 1.5-inch rolls.

⏲️ Baking Instructions:

• Place rolls in a greased 9×13 pan

• Cover and let rise 30 minutes

• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes

🍥 Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla

Spread frosting on warm rolls for gooey perfection.

---

🍞 3. Dinner Rolls or Sandwich Buns

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls and place in a greased baking dish.

Let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

🧈 Baking Instructions:

• Brush with melted butter or egg wash

• Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes until golden

Add sesame or poppy seeds on top for extra flair.

---

🔥 4. Flatbreads & Naan

Divide dough into golf ball-sized pieces. Roll into thin ovals or circles.

Cook on a hot skillet (no oil needed) over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes per side.

Brush with garlic butter and parsley for amazing homemade garlic naan!

---

🧁 5. Donuts

Roll out dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut out circles with a donut cutter. Let rise on a floured tray for 30 minutes.

Frying Instructions:

• Heat oil to 350°F (175°C)

• Fry 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown

• Drain on paper towels and dust with sugar or glaze

---

🎨 Variations and Customization

Dough Type	Add-In Ideas	Adjustments
Sweet Rolls	Raisins, chocolate chips, orange zest	Add extra 2 tbsp sugar
Savory Buns	Cheese, garlic, herbs	Reduce sugar to 1 tsp
Pizza Crust	Olive oil + Italian seasoning	Add garlic powder to dough
Naan/Flatbread	Yogurt, minced garlic, cumin seeds	Roll thinner for faster cooking
Braided Bread	Pesto, sun-dried tomato, feta cheese	Braid and bake at 350°F for 30 mins

---

🧠 Troubleshooting Tips

• Dough too sticky? Dust with a bit more flour while kneading.

• Dough not rising? Your yeast may be expired, or your environment may be too cold. Try placing the bowl near a warm oven.

• Dense final product? Don’t skip kneading—gluten development is key.

• Browning too fast? Tent with foil halfway through baking.

---

🍽️ Final Thoughts

Crazy Dough lives up to its reputation. It’s:

• Budget-friendly

• Time-saving

• Beginner-proof

• Freezer-friendly

Once you try it, you’ll never go back to keeping ten different dough recipes on hand. With its pillowy texture, adaptable flavor, and reliable rise, this dough becomes the foundation for countless delicious creations.

---

📌 Summary Recipe Card

Crazy Dough Base

Ingredients:

• 4 cups flour

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 2 tsp salt

• 2¼ tsp yeast

• 1 cup warm milk

• ½ cup yogurt

• ¼ cup oil

• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Mix dry and wet ingredients.

2. Knead until smooth.

3. Let rise until doubled.

4. Use immediately or store/freeze.

5. Shape as needed (pizza, rolls, donuts, etc.).

6. Bake or fry accordingly.

🍞 Crazy Dough Recipe: One Dough to Rule Them All

If you’ve ever dreamed of having one master dough recipe that can transform into pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, breadsticks, naan, focaccia, or even donuts, you’re about to be thrilled. Meet Crazy Dough—a wildly popular and flexible dough recipe that lives up to its name.

It’s called crazy for a reason. This dough is:

• Easy to prepare in a single bowl

• Flexible enough to be stored in the fridge for days

• Freezable for up to a month

• Usable for both sweet and savory creations

---

👩‍🍳 Why Crazy Dough is a Game-Changer

Imagine waking up and using the same dough to make cinnamon rolls for breakfast, then rolling out some pizza crust for dinner, and baking cheese breadsticks for snacks in between—all from one big batch of dough.

That’s the beauty of crazy dough: it’s reliable, adaptable, and made with pantry staples. You don’t need separate recipes for each type of bread. Whether it’s airy pizza crust or gooey rolls drenched in frosting, this dough delivers every time.

---

🧾 Ingredients for Basic Crazy Dough

Yield: 2 pounds of dough (enough for 2 large pizzas or 16 cinnamon rolls)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rising Time: 1–1.5 hours (plus optional overnight fridge proof)
Total Time: 2 hours (or longer if proofed overnight)

🥣 Dry Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar

• 2 teaspoons (10g) salt

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast or active dry yeast

🧪 Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (110°F / 43°C)

• 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt or sour cream

• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil or melted butter

• 1 large egg

🧠 Note: The yogurt makes this dough incredibly soft and pillowy. It also helps add a slight tang, similar to enriched doughs.

---

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast (if using active dry)

If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk with the sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy. If using instant yeast, you can skip this step and mix it directly into the flour.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

• Yogurt

• Oil

• Egg

• Warm milk (with yeast if proofed)

Make sure everything is at room temperature or slightly warm. Cold ingredients will slow down yeast activity.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, combine:

• Flour

• Salt

• Instant yeast (if you didn't bloom it earlier)

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Once combined, knead the dough:

• By hand: On a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes.

• With a stand mixer: Using a dough hook for 6–8 minutes on medium speed.

You're aiming for a soft, slightly sticky dough that springs back when poked.

🧠 Tip: If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of milk. If too wet, dust with more flour a little at a time.

Step 5: First Rise

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.

• Let rise for 1–1.5 hours in a warm, draft-free spot.

• It should double in size.

Optional: For even better flavor and texture, place the covered dough in the refrigerator overnight for a cold rise.

---

🧊 Storing Crazy Dough

Once the dough has risen:

• Use immediately, or

• Wrap tightly in plastic and store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or

• Freeze in an airtight bag for up to 1 month

To use from frozen: thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.

---

🍕 1. Pizza Crust with Crazy Dough

Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Transfer to a greased pizza pan or baking stone. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings.

🍕 Baking Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C)

• Bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.

🧠 Tip: For extra crispiness, pre-bake the crust for 5 minutes before adding toppings.

---

🍬 2. Cinnamon Rolls with Crazy Dough

Roll out dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.

🍯 Filling:

• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1/4 cup (60g) softened butter

Spread the butter over the dough, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly, then roll up tightly from the long edge. Slice into 1.5-inch rolls.

⏲️ Baking Instructions:

• Place rolls in a greased 9×13 pan

• Cover and let rise 30 minutes

• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes

🍥 Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla

Spread frosting on warm rolls for gooey perfection.

---

🍞 3. Dinner Rolls or Sandwich Buns

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls and place in a greased baking dish.

Let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

🧈 Baking Instructions:

• Brush with melted butter or egg wash

• Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes until golden

Add sesame or poppy seeds on top for extra flair.

---

🔥 4. Flatbreads & Naan

Divide dough into golf ball-sized pieces. Roll into thin ovals or circles.

Cook on a hot skillet (no oil needed) over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes per side.

Brush with garlic butter and parsley for amazing homemade garlic naan!

---

🧁 5. Donuts

Roll out dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut out circles with a donut cutter. Let rise on a floured tray for 30 minutes.

Frying Instructions:

• Heat oil to 350°F (175°C)

• Fry 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown

• Drain on paper towels and dust with sugar or glaze

---

🎨 Variations and Customization

Dough Type	Add-In Ideas	Adjustments
Sweet Rolls	Raisins, chocolate chips, orange zest	Add extra 2 tbsp sugar
Savory Buns	Cheese, garlic, herbs	Reduce sugar to 1 tsp
Pizza Crust	Olive oil + Italian seasoning	Add garlic powder to dough
Naan/Flatbread	Yogurt, minced garlic, cumin seeds	Roll thinner for faster cooking
Braided Bread	Pesto, sun-dried tomato, feta cheese	Braid and bake at 350°F for 30 mins

---

🧠 Troubleshooting Tips

• Dough too sticky? Dust with a bit more flour while kneading.

• Dough not rising? Your yeast may be expired, or your environment may be too cold. Try placing the bowl near a warm oven.

• Dense final product? Don’t skip kneading—gluten development is key.

• Browning too fast? Tent with foil halfway through baking.

---

🍽️ Final Thoughts

Crazy Dough lives up to its reputation. It’s:

• Budget-friendly

• Time-saving

• Beginner-proof

• Freezer-friendly

Once you try it, you’ll never go back to keeping ten different dough recipes on hand. With its pillowy texture, adaptable flavor, and reliable rise, this dough becomes the foundation for countless delicious creations.

---

📌 Summary Recipe Card

Crazy Dough Base

Ingredients:

• 4 cups flour

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 2 tsp salt

• 2¼ tsp yeast

• 1 cup warm milk

• ½ cup yogurt

• ¼ cup oil

• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Mix dry and wet ingredients.

2. Knead until smooth.

3. Let rise until doubled.

4. Use immediately or store/freeze.

5. Shape as needed (pizza, rolls, donuts, etc.).

6. Bake or fry accordingly.