Self-Rising Garlic Sticks

Annacia's Note:

This new take on the typical yeast bread stick takes biscuit dough, shapes it into sticks, bathes the sticks in garlic butter, then bakes garlicky, pull-apart biscuit sticks. Their soft sides and crisp tops make them a favorite of both kids and adults. Try them along side soup or stew.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 32 sticks ...

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 -4 medium-large garlic cloves (peeled and minced or mashed, to taste)
• 2 1/4 cups self-rising flour
• 2/3 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F As the oven is preheating, place the 8 tablespoons butter in a 9" x 13" pan, and put the pan in the oven to melt the butter. When the butter is melted, remove the pan, and sprinkle in the minced garlic, stirring gently to distribute.
2. Stir together the flour and milk to make a soft dough. Gather the dough into a ball, and gently fold it over three or four times.
3. Place the dough on a well-floured surface, and roll/pat it into a 10" x 8" rectangle; it'll be fairly thin.
4. Cut the dough in half crosswise, into two 8" x 5" rectangles. Cut each rectangle into 16 sticks, about 5" x 1/2" each.
5. Lay the sticks close together in the pan, turning them to coat with the butter; you'll need to snug them right up against one another.
6. Bake the sticks for 15 to 20 minutes, until they're a light golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and as soon as you can handle them, gently pull them apart and place on a plate or in a basket. Serve warm.