Parmesan Garlic Breadsticks 

Fresh hot buttery breadsticks from the oven, seasoned with garlic and herbs, and then dipped in Marinara sauce.  What could be better than that! These breadsticks are so easy to make, and they disappear fast.  So instead of ordering out and paying a high price, make your own instead.

Ingredients 

Breadsticks

1 1/3 c. warm tap water
2 1/2 tsp. instant yeast, rapid rise
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
1/4 c. milk powder
3 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. salt
3 to 4 c. flour

Marinara Dipping sauce

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. majoram
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Breadstick Seasoning

2 Tbs. Parmesan cheese
1 Tbs. onion powder
1 Tbs. oregano
1 to 3 tsp. garlic powder  (See notes below)
1 1/2 tsp basil
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp. parsley
1/2 to 1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 sticks butter, divided

Directions

Two 9 x 13-inch baking pans or one 18 x 13-inch pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar.  Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes in a warm location. This will tell you if your yeast is active and good to use.

Add milk powder, butter, salt and 1-cup of flour. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer that has a dough hook.  You can also mix this by hand as well with a wooden spoon.  Continue to add the rest of the flour until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface to knead by hand, or continue to knead the dough with a mixer.  If kneading by hand, knead for about 8 minutes to 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Decide on the pan you want to use. If using two 13 x 9-inch pans, divide the dough in half. Roll out each dough into a 13 x 9-inch rectangle. Or, you can use an 18 x 13-inch pan. Roll the dough out into an 18 x 13-inch rectangle.

Begin making the Breadstick Seasoning

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in the bottom of each baking pan if using a 13 x 9-inch pans. Or melt 8 tablespoons in the bottom of an 18 x 13-inch pan.  Place the dough into prepared pan or pans. Press to fit the dough into the corners of the pan.  

Brush the top of each bread stick dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter.  Using a pizza cutter, cut the for the breadsticks.   For the 13 x 9-inch pans, cut the dough into 10 equal portions for a total of 20 breadsticks.  However, if you are using the 18 x 13-inch pan, cut dough in half lengthwise.  Then width wise, cut the dough into equal portions 10 times, so that you have 20 breadsticks. Cover and place in a warm location until the dough doubles in size.  This takes about 90 minutes.  While the breadsticks are rising, begin making the marinara sauce.

In a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, sugar, oregano, basil, marjoram, garlic powder and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to keep it from burning on the bottom.

Reduce heat and simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes. Stir the sauce occasionally to keep it from burning. 

Preheat the oven to 375°  to 400°.  

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. While the breadsticks are baking, combine the breadstick seasoning. 

In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder,  basil, marjoram,  parsley, and salt.

Remove the breadsticks from the oven. Immediately brush 1 tablespoon melted butter for each 13 x 9-inch pan, or 2 tablespoons butter over the 18 x 13-inch pan of breadsticks. 

Sprinkle the breadstick seasoning over the top of the melted butter. Try to let them cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the marinara sauce. 

*  You can also add 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of shredded marble cheese to the dough. Or use mozzarella cheese.  

**  You can add shredded cheese over the tops of the breadstick dough before baking and omit the butter spread over the top.  It may take about 14 minutes to bake.  Then, right when the breadsticks come out of the oven, sprinkle the seasoning mix over the cheese.

** Also,  another variation is to make garlic bread sticks.  Add 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic or fresh garlic cloves.  However, adjust the amount of garlic to suit your tastes.  We like the taste of garlic, so we use more.