Almost-Famous Breadsticks

By beltranm

Olive Garden's salad and breadsticks are closely guarded corporate recipes, but that didn't stop Food Network Kitchens from designing perfect imitations.

Prep
30 min
Inactive Prep
45 min
Cook
15 min
Total:
1 hr 30 min

Photograph by Kate Sears

Ingredients

• For the Dough:
• 1 * 1 package active dry yeast
• 4 1/4 * 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour,plus more for dusting
• 2 * 2 tablespoons unsalted butter,softened
• 2 * 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 * 1 tablespoon fine salt
• For the Topping:
• 3 * 3 tablespoons unsalted butter,melted
• 1/2 * 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 to 1/4 * 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• * Pinch of dried oregano

Details

Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Make the dough: Place 1/4 cup warm water in the bowl of a mixer; sprinkle in the yeast and set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, butter, sugar, fine salt and 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons warm water; mix with the paddle attachment until a slightly sticky dough forms, 5 minutes.

Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface until very smooth and soft, 3 minutes. Roll into a 2-foot-long log; cut into 16 1 1/2-inch-long pieces. Knead each piece slightly and shape into a 7-inch-long breadstick; arrange 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a cloth; let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Make the topping: Brush the breadsticks with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt with the garlic powder and oregano. Brush the warm breadsticks with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with the flavored salt.