Classic New York-Style Pizza

1. Combine Dry Ingredients

Start by combining the bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast in a food processor. Pulse the mixture 3 to 4 times until everything is well mixed.

2. Add Wet Ingredients

Add the lukewarm water and extra-virgin olive oil to the dry ingredients. Process this mixture for about 30 seconds until it forms a ball that rides around the bowl above the blade and the dough becomes smooth.

3. Knead Dough

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it just 1 to 2 times to form a smooth ball. The dough should pass the windowpane test, which means if you stretch a small piece of it, it should form a thin, translucent membrane without tearing.

4. Divide and Refrigerate Dough

Divide the dough into equal portions and place each portion into quart-sized deli containers or zipper-lock freezer bags. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 day, but you can keep it there for up to 5 days to develop more flavor.

5. Shape and Rise Dough

About 2 hours before you plan to bake, take the dough out of the refrigerator and shape it into balls. Place each dough ball into a medium mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature until it has roughly doubled in volume.

6. Preheat Oven and Stretch Dough

One hour before baking, preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) and place a pizza stone inside to heat up. On a lightly floured surface, stretch each ball of dough into a 12- to 14-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Use your knuckles to gently stretch the dough to avoid tearing.

7. Assemble Pizza

When your oven is ready, carefully transfer the stretched dough onto a pizza peel. Spread a layer of New York Style Pizza Sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Evenly distribute the grated mozzarella cheese that has been frozen for at least 15 minutes over the sauce.

8. Bake Pizza

Slide the assembled pizza onto the hot pizza stone and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The cheese should be melted with browned spots, and the crust should be golden brown and puffed.

9. Serve Pizza

Finally, transfer the pizza to a cutting board, slice it, and serve immediately. Repeat the process for any remaining dough, sauce, and cheese. Enjoy your classic New York-Style Pizza!