Fresh, buttery and oh-so delicious, these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks taste just like the real deal. Plus, they can be on the table in less than an hour! —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Then, stir in the milk and warm to 105-112°F. Alternatively, you may also melt and warm the milk in the microwave for 30-60 seconds at 50% power.
Editor’s note: Don’t overheat the milk mixture. Doing so will kill the yeast and inhibit your dough from rising sufficiently.
Next, add the yeast and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Slowly add the warmed milk to the yeast and sugar and gently stir to combine.
Editor’s note: If you’re using instant yeast, you can move onto the next step. If using active dry yeast, let the yeast, sugar and milk/butter mixture proof for five minutes until foamy. Then, proceed to the next step.
Next, with your stand mixer on its lowest speed, stir in the egg and salt before adding in 2-1/2 cups (300g) of flour. Continue to mix, adding the remaining 1 cup (120g) of flour until dough clings to the hook and the sides of the bowl are clean. The dough should be smooth and soft.
Increase your mixer to its second speed and knead the dough for 3-4 minutes. Alternately, you may knead by hand for 6-8 minutes on a lightly oiled surface.
With lightly floured hands, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, approximately 65 grams each.
Then shape dough into 12 breadsticks, and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet(s).
Cover loosely with a tea towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough proof for 10-15 minutes in a warm place. The breadsticks should rise and puff slightly during this period.
Editor’s note: If you have a proof setting on your oven, feel free to use it for this step.
Uncover the breadsticks and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
While the breadsticks are baking, prepare the garlic butter by melting the butter on your stovetop or in the microwave. Remove from heat and then stir in the salt and garlic powder. Set aside.
Remove the breadsticks from the oven when golden, and immediately baste with the melted garlic butter. Serve warm with copycat Olive Garden soup and salad.