Garlic Bread Sticks

Every time I make pasta for dinner, my husband would like some garlic bread as an accompaniment to dip in garlic infused olive oil. And like everyone would do, I would just apply some garlic butter on a slice of bread or baguette and would grill it. That is so quick and delicious too. But, we love soft, warm, bread sticks from Olive Garden. Those are just the best!!

So while I was making a batch of Pav Bread last week, I tried to experiment and make one garlic bread stick. OMG! it was just amazing. Snehanshu was ready to give my a best baker award that day :) for not only making perfect pav breads every time, but also making this soft garlic bread stick. I am not much of a baker, but hearing that your picky husband likes this a lot and approves of this recipe, definitely means something. :) I was on the top of the world that day!

So this time with my pasta, it was not just easy store bought bread with garlic butter. Instead, warm, soft, garlic bread sticks to surprise my dear husband :)

To make around 16 bread sticks.

Start with 1+1/4 cup warm water (100F) in a large bowl. Add 1 packet dry active yeast (2+1/4 tsp.) and 2 tbsp sugar. Mix and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes.

Add 3 tbsp. melted butter, 1 tsp. salt and 3 cups all-purpose flour.

Mix together to make a sticky dough.

Lightly dust your clean counter. Empty the dough and knead it for 8-10 minutes. This is the most important stage to create gluten, and make the dough elastic.

To test if the dough is ready: lightly poke the dough, if it springs back, the dough is well kneaded.

Keep in a greased bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let the dough rest for an hour.

Here is the dough doubled in size.

Punch and knead the dough again for 4-5 minutes.

Divide the dough into 16 equal parts.

Roll to form an 8in rope.

Lay in a nonstick baking tray or well greased and dusted tray keeping 1 to 1 1/2 inch space in between.

I have two 13in x 7in trays with lids to keep them covered. 

Cover and let them rest for 45 min to an hour.

Bread sticks doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450F. Never keep the bread in a low temperature oven. Preheating means getting the oven temperature and air inside to 450F. This will ensure that the bread is evenly baked. If your oven does not indicate the temperature, set your oven to 450 F and keep it on for at least 10 minutes before putting the bread sticks to bake.

Bake them in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. They should turn golden brown within 10 or max to 12 minutes. Keeping the bread in for a long time may result in bread sticks turning hard.

Remove from an oven and place the tray on a rack.

Quickly apply butter on them and sprinkle garlic powder or garlic salt on them while still hot.

Pull each stick apart and serve immediately.

If you do not want them to stick to each other, keep them 2-3 inches apart from one another before proving.

Serve with garlic and herb flavored olive oil.

Wrap in cute brown paper bags for your guests.

Enjoy these deliciously soft bread sticks!