Almost-Famous Breadsticks (Olive Garden Copycat)

Ashbow's Note:

Since Olive Garden won't give out the recipe, here's the closest one to the real thing! This recipe calls for a Kitchen-Aid mixer with the paddle attachment, but I'm sure you could use something similar. From Food Network magazine.

• Total Time: 31 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 16

Yield: 16.0 breadst ...

DOUGH

• 1 (¼ ounce) package active dry yeast
• 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour , plus more for dusting
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon fine salt

TOPPING

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄8;-¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 pinch dried oregano

Directions:

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

Reviews

[CIndytc]

I usually do not have good luck with yeast recipes. But these turned out very good...
I used my Kitchenaid to knead the dough...

[Cooking Goddess 56]

Awesome recipe! I added a little bit of garlic, butter (on top) and parm cheese pre cooking. My impatient husband tried immediately and didn't think they tasted like olive gardens. I then added the melted butter and voila, just like olive garden! Delicious!

[Mandy N]

These were SO good! The family loved them, and I realize I should have at least doubled the recipe! Thanks for posting!