Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

If you are looking for a delicious, melt-in-your mouth breadstick to serve with an Italian dish, then look no further! These breadsticks do indeed taste like Olive Garden's, but now you can serve them right from your own oven. You won't be disappointed.

Dough

• 1 c. + 2 tablespoons warm water

• 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 3/4 teaspoons salt

• 3 1/2 c. flour

Garlic Butter

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

In a standing mixer with the whisk attached, combine the water, yeast, sugar, and butter. Allow the yeast to activate. Add the salt. Attach the dough hook and gradually add the flour on low speed. Increase speed to medium and knead the dough for about 7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Remove the dough and place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest in warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. (Note: I normally place my yeast breads in the oven after slightly heating for a minute or so on the lowest setting.)

Divide the dough into 12 portions. Roll each piece into a 7-inch log. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise until doubled - about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately brush with garlic butter. Serve warm. (These do freeze well.)

(Note: Recipe adapted from handletheheat.com.)