• Combine warm water, yeast, sugar and a 1/2 cup of bread flour. Whisk until smooth in a large mixing bowl. Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes. The dough should be very bubbly after.

  Mix in cool water, olive oil, salt and 2 1/2 more cups of bread flour. Mix until well incorporated and smooth. Turn dough onto a lightly floured counter and cut in half or quarters depending on how many pizzas you're making. Place dough into bowls sprayed with non-stick spray and allow to rise for at least 1 hour (2 is better!). Dough will double in size.

  You can certainly make this dough ahead, simply make, refrigerate and then allow to come to room temp and rise the day you want to bake it.

For baking pizzas

• This dough makes 2, 12" or 4 6-7" mini pizzas

  Place pizza stone (I highly recommend getting one if you don't have one!) into the oven and set oven temp to 450° Allow it to preheat for 20 minutes while you make your pizzas before baking them. I use this pizza steel now, it can handle up to 900° and I LOVE IT!

  Separate your dough. Roll pizza dough to your desired thickness.

  Place pizzas onto parchment sheets.

  Spread pizza with 1/2 cup or so of your sauce of choice, leaving about 1/2" of crust clean.

  Add cheese, veggies, or toppings of your choice, again, leaving edges clean.

  Carefully place the pizza (including parchment sheet) onto the hot stone or baking tray in your oven. If you are using the steel I shared above, DO NOT preheat it in the oven, simply add your pizza to it and then put it into a hot oven. Allow pizza to bake at 450° for 12-13 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and the crust is crisped and golden brown. If baking on a good insulated cookie sheet, I usually give it 15 minutes or until golden.

  Remove from the oven and add fresh herbs, parmesan and chili flakes if desired. Cut into squares and enjoy!

BBQ chicken pizza recipe

• I love to add bbq sauce to my pizza dough, and top with shredded rotisserie chicken, red onion, spinach or kale leaves, mozzarella (or cheddar!) cheese, red pepper flakes, cilantro and jalapeno slices for a bit of spice.