Classic Homemade Pizza Dough

1. 1
   Whisk warm water, instant yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl and rest five minutes until slightly frothy.
2. 2
   Add bread flour, fine sea salt, and extra-virgin olive oil to the yeast mixture.
3. 3
   Stir vigorously with a sturdy wooden spoon until a shaggy, cohesive dough forms and absorbs loose flour.
4. 4
   Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead eight minutes until smooth, supple, and slightly tacky.
5. 5
   Shape the dough into a taut round ball by tucking the outer edges underneath with your palms.
6. 6
   Place the dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl, turning once so the surface is lightly coated.
7. 7
   Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for ninety minutes until doubled in size.
8. 8
   Turn dough onto a clean counter and divide it evenly into two equal portions using a bench scraper.
9. 9
   Shape each portion into a smooth ball, cover loosely with a damp towel, and rest twenty minutes.
10. 10
    Press and stretch dough outward gently with your knuckles from center to rim without deflating the puffy edge.