When we get invited to dinner, it’s usually because of these.  The best breadsticks you will probably ever taste in your life.  I started repaying favors in breadsticks instead of cookies, because they’re that amazing.  And most people would rather eat these than cookies.  They are that good.

Breadsticks

Ingredients:

• 1 T yeast
• 2 T sugar
• 1.5 c warm water

• 1 tsp salt
• 3 1/2 c flour

• 1 stick butter
• garlic salt
• toasted sesame seeds
• shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Mix the yeast, sugar and water in mixer bowl and let sit until bubbly (5-10 mins).
2. Add salt and flour and mix with dough hook for 5 minutes.  Dough will be sticky.
3. Let rise, covered, in mixer 45 min-1 hour.
4. Place 1 stick of butter on rimmed cookie sheet, place in oven, and preheat to 400 degrees.
5. While oven is preheating, roll out dough on an oiled and floured counter into long rectangle. Cut into strips with a pizza cutter. Fold ends together and twist.
6. When oven is preheated, remove pan and place breadsticks in melted butter. Brush with excess melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt, parmesan cheese, and sesame seeds.
7. Let rise for up to 20 minutes, if necessary.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Follow instructions above, but instead of melting the butter on the pan, melt it in a bowl in the microwave.  Generously brush pan with some melted butter, place breadstick dough on pan, and brush all remaining butter on dough.  Sprinkle with garlic salt and sesame seeds.  Cover and refrigerate.  Remove from fridge 15-30 minutes (depending on how much more you want them to rise) before you’re ready to bake.  Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Notes:

• The temperature of your kitchen will affect whether or not you’ll want your breadsticks to rise.  If my kitchen is very warm, I don’t need to give them extra time.  If my kitchen is cool, they’ll need about 20 minutes.
• I like to rub my counter with oil and then lightly flour over it. I get less sticking and less mess.