Just like Olive Garden Bread Sticks

It's that time of year where all I want is a hot cup of cocoa, a big comfy blanket and a bowl of soup with some soft, warm bread. Since I already had the soup, I decided to make some bread.

I'm always a little nervous when it comes to recipes that require yeast. I have a digital food thermometer on my Christmas list, but until then it's hard to gauge how hot 110-115 degrees is when it comes to the water. See yeast can be very temperamental. If the water you add to the yeast and sugar is too hot you'll "kill" the yeast and it won't rise because it can't grow because again you "killed" it. Make sense? I've made batches of soft pretzels that are as chewy as a piece of gum (not really but you know what I mean :) because my water was too hot. I still consider myself a novice cook which means my kitchen is still growing. If Santa brings me what I'm hoping to get, I see a lot more bread recipes in my future!

So when I came across a recipe for bread sticks that were just like the amazing ones I get at Olive Garden with a big fat side of Alfredo sauce I knew I had to try them! There aren't a ton of ingredients, but there are several steps...totally worth it! These were amazing!

First you want to whisk the sugar, yeast and warm water in your mixer bowl until everything is well combined. Wait about 10-15 min or until the top is foamy-like. Add in half the flour, more sugar, salt and vegetable oil and mix it all together with the paddle. Once combined, switch to the hook and knead until the dough easily pulls away from the dough. If you don't already have a KitchenAid you can get one at Amazon from the link on the right. Place the dough ball into a buttered bowl and cover in plastic wrap until it's doubled in size. I waited an hour and 45 minutes.

Punch dough down and divide into 12 even parts. Roll out and let rise another hour.

Bake then rub over with butter and top with garlic salt. These went fast with my leftover Potato Bacon soup the other night.

Ingredients:
1 cup and 2 Tbsp warm water (110 - 115 degrees)
1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 tsp granulated sugar, divided

3 cups all-purpose flour (divided in half) (plus some more for rolling out the breadsticks)
1 Tbsp and 2 1/2 tsp sugar

1 3/4 tsp salt

3 Tbsp vegetable oil 

Butter for topping
Garlic salt to sprinkle on top

Directions:
Combine together the warm water, yeast and sugar with a whisk in your mixer bowl. Let it sit 10-15 min. You'll notice a foamy layer on the surface. Add in the flour, more sugar, salt and oil and stir using the paddle attachment until everything is fully combined. Add in the remaining flour and switch to the hook setting. Once the dough is coming away from the sides of the mxer bowl, move the dough to a buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit in a room temperature area for 1 1/2-2 hours, or until it's doubled in size.

Punch the dough down and start grabbing out chunks of it, about 2oz worth. My recipe made 14 sticks. Roll out the dough on a floured surface, while keeping the rest of the dough covered in the bowl. Roll out to your desired length and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover and let them rise an additional hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake for 11 minutes. Then broil them for an additional minute. As soon as they're out of the oven, run a butter stick across them. Top with the garlic salt and devour enjoy! These did not last long!


Thanks for stopping by!

**I linked up to 504 main, simple living and eating, the jenny evolution, coastal charm, the winthrop chronicles, cedar hill farmhouse, mad in crafts, dwellings-the heart of your home, rain on a tin roof, by stephanie lynn, diy hshp, craft o maniac, a pinch of joy, carrie this home, flamingo toes, made from pinterest, tatertots and jello