Step 1

In a small bowl, combine the water, yeast, and 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) sugar. Whisk, then set aside for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, combine 2 cups (280 grams) flour, the salt, and the remaining sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir briefly to combine, then add the olive oil.

Step 3

When the yeast water is ready, add it to the bowl. Mix, using the dough hook, for about 5 minutes on your mixer’s lowest setting. Every minute or so, pause the mixer to stir in the dry ingredients around the edges.

Step 4

Once all of the dry ingredients are incorporated into the dough, add the remaining 1/2 cup (100 grams) of flour. Mix for another 20 minutes on the lowest speed. Ideally, pause the mixer every 5 minutes or so to scrape the dough ball off the hook.

Step 5

The dough should be slightly sticky to the touch and sticking a bit to the bottom of the bowl, but dry enough that it’s not sticking to the walls of the bowl. If the dough feels too tacky or too dry after 20 minutes of mixing, add flour or water just a little bit at a time and incorporate fully.

Step 6

Remove the dough to a clean bowl, cover, and place somewhere warm for 35 to 40 minutes to rise.

Step 7

After 35 to 40 minutes, remove the risen dough from the bowl and place it onto a clean, flat surface such as a cutting board or marble slab. Knead for about a minute to remove any large air bubbles.

Step 8

Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a tight ball, ideally keeping an unbroken “skin” on the outside of the ball (pinch the bottom of the ball together to hold the skin shut).

Step 9

Lightly coat a flat surface with olive oil. If you don’t have dough trays, a cutting board or baking sheet works great! Coat each ball with olive oil, then set onto the oiled surface, pinched-skin-side down. Make sure the dough balls are several inches apart, as they’ll grow again.

Step 10

Place the dough balls somewhere warm (like on top of your fridge) for 45 minutes, or until about doubled in size.

Step 11

Your dough is now ready to use! Stretch one of the dough balls (check out this tutorial on how to stretch pizza dough if you’re not sure how), top it with your ingredients of choice, and bake until it’s delicious, gooey, and irresistible.