Herb and Garlic Breadsticks

These bread sticks are so easy to make but what is even better is how delicious they are!  Last week, after a very busy day, I was looking for a fast and delicious dinner.  I picked up a rotisserie chicken, had enough greens for a salad and wanted some great-tasting bread to complete the meal.  I pulled out my copy of More Bread Machine Magic and found these Herb and Garlic Breadsticks.  Perfect!

At 3:00 I put all the ingredients in my bread machine and set it to the dough cycle.  At 4:30 the dough came out, was rolled, cut and allowed to rest another 30 minutes.  At 5:00 they went into the oven and by 5:30 we had warm, delicious, herb and garlic bread sticks!  They are brushed with a combination of Italian seasonings and coarse salt before going into the oven and brushed with the mixture once again after they are baked creating more buttery, herby goodness on the bread sticks. 

Just be warned – it will be hard getting them to the table without eating at least two yourself 🙂

Dads and busy little boys will love these!

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!*

*Our son-in-law will be a father again next January 🙂  More fun times ahead for him, our daughter and for us!  Meanwhile, my garden container babies continue to grow…

Herb and Garlic Breadsticks

Makes 16 Bread sticks

Ingredients for double batch in parentheses

3/4 cup warm water (1-3/8 cup)
2 teaspoons warm butter or margarine (4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon sugar (2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon salt (2 teaspoons)
2 cups bread flour (4 cups)
1-1/2 teaspoons instant yeast (2-1/2)

Herb and Garlic Topping:

Note:  The original recipe calls for just garlic and 1-2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan Cheese.  I adapted it to an herb topping, instead.  

2 tablespoons melted butter (1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons olive oil (1/4 cup)
1 clove of garlic, minced (2 cloves)
1 teaspoon dried oregano (2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon dried basil (2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon coarse salt (2 teaspoons)

Place a piece of parchment paper to fit a half sheet baking pan. You may also use a silicone liner.

Please the ingredients in the bread pan of your bread machine. Select the dough setting and press Start. Alternately, you can mix the dough with a stand mixer with dough hook or food processor with dough blade.

When the dough has risen and the machine beeps, turn the bread out onto a lightly floured countertop or cutting board. (If you did not use a bread machine, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover and allow to rise until doubled).

With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 9 x 10 inches (2 rectangles for large batch)

Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet and cut the dough rectangle lengthwise into eight strips with a pizza wheel. Cut those strips in half again. Then cut the strips in half crosswise to create 16 bread sticks.

Separate the strips slightly. Then, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes until doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 375F while the bread sticks are rising. Also prepare the topping mixture. Place mixture in microwave for about 20 seconds to melt the butter.

Just before baking, brush the bread sticks with half of the herb mixture.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Brush with the rest of the herb mixture after removing from the oven.

These are best eaten the same day.