Olive Garden Breadsticks - Homemade and so Easy!

I wanted to first than Erin for finding this recipe for me to try and Readable Eatable for the original post. These are so good and really easy to make. I have a KitchenAid mixer and making the dough was a snap. The dough rolled nicely, rose so easily, and baked up quick and had that perfect "moist bread" flavor, just like the restaurant. I changed my sticks up by adding grated Parmesan instead of garlic powder to the top. I would make them smaller next time.  This recipe will not disappoint! Enjoy

Not the most perfect shape, but ooohhh so delish!
(after the rise before cooking)

Successful Second Batch!

Dough: 
1 1/2 cups warm water 
2 Tbs sugar 
1 Tbs yeast
1 Tbs salt (yes, the recipe calls for 1 Tablespoon, which I use every time and they turn out great.)
2 Tbs butter, softened 
4-5 Cups flour 

Topping: 
3 Tbs butter melted 
sea salt 
1/4 tsp garlic powder 

For the dough, pour the water into a stand mixer with the sugar and yeast, let that sit and froth for about 10 minutes. Add salt, butter, and 2 cups of flour. Mix the dough on low. Add the rest of the flour a half cup at a time, until dough scrapes the sides of the bowl clean. Mix the dough about 5 minutes on medium speed, until its soft and easy to work with. Roll the dough out into a long log, spray a knife with cooking spray and cut the dough into 12-14 pieces. Roll those pieces into about 6 inch long snakes. Spray 2 large cookie sheets with cooking spray, and lay the breadsticks out leaving about 2 inches between each one. Place them in the oven with the temperature turned to 170 degrees. Let them rise for about 15 minutes, or until doubled in size.( I have also let them sit at room temp until they are doubled in size and then bake them in the oven) Once risen, brush them with the 1 1/2 T of melted butter and sprinkle them with salt. Now preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake them for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. While they are baking combine the rest of the melted butter with 1/4 t garlic powder. When the breadsticks are golden brown, remove them from the oven and brush them with the butter/garlic mixture.