Garlic Bread Sticks

I pulled a pan of lasagna out of the freezer that I'd made a while back, and decided some soft bread sticks would be just the thing with it. These aren't a copycat of Olive Garden's bread sticks, but they are clearly similar. They're full of soft, garlicky, buttery goodness.

They're easy to make, too.


Garlic Bread Sticks

2 cups very warm water (110° - 115° F.)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons active dry yeast (or two of the small packages of yeast)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 cups of flour
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1/2 stick butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon granulated garlic

Combine the warm water, sugar and yeast in a large mixer bowl. Stir well and let stand for 10 minutes.

Using the bread hook attachment, mix in salt, then olive oil. Add flour all at once and mix to moisten, then knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms. Kneading time will vary depending on the type of mixer you use or if you decide to knead the dough by hand.

Remove dough from mixer bowl and place in lightly oiled bowl, being sure to coat all surfaces with oil. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 325°F.

Punch dough down and knead about 10 times on a lightly oiled surface. Divide dough in half, placing one half back in oiled bowl. Cut the other half into 16 equal portions. Roll each portion into a bread stick approximately 8 inches long. Place bread sticks on cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Repeat with remaining dough.

While dough rises, place 1/2 stick of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in microwave safe dish. Heat in microwave just until butter is melted. Remove from microwave and stir in garlic granules. Set aside.

Bake each tray of bread sticks for approximately 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove bread sticks from oven and immediately brush with garlic butter mixture. Let bread sticks cool on pan for 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 32 bread sticks.