Step 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Lightly grease a pizza baking sheet and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer, mix together the yeast, sugar, and warm water and allow to sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

Step 3

Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture.  Then, using the dough hook on your stand mixer, or a sturdy spoon if using a bowl, mix in the flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough has started to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 4

If using a stand mixer, mix the dough with the dough hook for 3 minutes on medium speed until the dough has completely pulled away from the sides and is smooth.

Step 5

If you are not using a stand mixer, place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth.

Step 6

Shape the dough into one ball, and slice in half evenly. At this point you can roll out both balls of dough for two 10 -12-inch pizzas. Or, store the remaining dough in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or the freezer for up to one month.

Step 7

Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and transfer to prepared pan.  Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes.

Step 8

While the pizza is in the oven, melt the two tablespoons of butter and stir in the garlic powder and salt.

Step 9

Remove the pizza from the oven and top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings as desired, leaving 1/2 inch of the crust without toppings.  Brush the 1/2 inch edge of crust with garlic butter.

Step 10

Place the pizza back in the oven and continue baking pizza 10-15 minutes until crust is golden and crispy, and cheese is melted.