Garlic Bread Pizza Crust

Steps

• 1

  In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, combine water, yeast, honey and olive oil. Whisk lightly with a fork and let rest for 10 minutes until puffed and foamy.
• 2

  Add 2 1/2 cups flour, salt, garlic powder, dried basil and dried oregano and stir with a spoon or dough hook until dough comes together.
• 3

  Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead 10 minutes, adding more remaining flour as necessary until dough is smooth, elastic and slightly sticky OR mix dough in a stand mixer with a dough hook about 5-7 minutes on medium speed, adding more remaining flour as necessary until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth, elastic and slightly sticky.
• 4

  Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl covered with a towel or plastic wrap to rise, about 1 hour.
• 5

  Preheat oven to 375°F. Punch down risen dough and place on a lightly floured baking sheet or pizza stone.
• 6

  Pat into a thin crust (don’t use a rolling pin: This will break up the air bubbles in the crust and it won’t be as light and airy once baked). Let dough rest 10 minutes; meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter and stir in garlic and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
• 7

  Once dough has rested, spoon or brush butter mixture onto the crust, concentrating on the edges. Place desired toppings on top of prepared crust and bake 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and gooey.
• 8

  While pizza is baking, melt remaining tablespoon of butter and mix with remaining Parmesan cheese. Remove pizza from oven and brush butter mixture on fully baked crust. Let pizza rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.