Dough

• Start by adding instant yeast, salt, sugar, and water to stand mixer bowl. Allow the mixture to rest for a few minutes.
• Add the bread flour and olive oil to the bowl.
• Using the dough hook attachment, knead the dough on low for about 10 minutes. A dough ball should form and all the flour should be off the bowl and mixed into the dough.
• Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and allow to rise for 2 hours. ***See note below. ***
• When ready to assemble the pizza, deflate the dough, roll into a ball, and divide into 3 equal pieces.
• Dust a large work surface with flour. Begin pulling and stretching to create a 12-inch pizza. Stretch the dough from the middle and outward in a circular shape. You can also use a rolling pin, if desired.
• Preheat oven to 425℉.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured pizza pan. Using a fork, poke holes over the top of the pizza to prevent bubbling of the crust.
• Spread pizza sauce over pizza leaving about a half inch around outside not sauced.
• Lightly brush outside crust with olive oil and sprinkle garlic powder on crust.
• Lightly sprinkle about a third of the cheese over the pizza and arrange toppings.
• Cover the pizza with the remaining cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is browned on the bottom and cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
• Remove pizza and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.