Before you mix anything, get everything organized. Measure out your warm water, honey, sugar, and yeast. This ensures that everything is ready when it’s time to dive into the mixing. The warm water should feel like a cozy bath—if it’s too hot, it could kill the yeast.

In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water, honey, and sugar. Stir it gently to dissolve them. Then, sprinkle the yeast over the surface. Let this mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes. You’ll see the yeast bubbling and foaming, which is a good sign that it’s activated. This step is crucial. Without active yeast, your dough won’t rise properly.

In another bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups of bread flour, flaky sea salt, and garlic powder. You can add more flour later if needed, so don’t worry if you don’t use it all right now. The garlic powder gives a subtle flavor that makes a difference.

Once the yeast is activated, pour the olive oil into the yeast mixture. Then, gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form. You can use a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 5-7 minutes. This is where you get to put some muscle into it. You want it smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour.

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. This is a great time for a kitchen dance break while you wait.

After an hour, the fun part begins. Punch down the dough to release the air. This helps prevent large bubbles in your crust. Divide it into two equal portions if you’re making a couple of pizzas. Shape each into a ball.

Let the dough balls rise again for about 30 minutes. Cover them as before. During this time, you can gather your toppings and get excited about the pizzas you’re about to create.

After the second rise, you can roll out the dough. Dust your work surface with a bit of flour and use a rolling pin or your hands to stretch it into your desired pizza shape. Make it as thick or as thin as you like.

Before adding your toppings, it’s a good idea to pre-bake the crust for about 5-7 minutes at 475°F. This way, you’ll have a recipe that’s sure to please.