These simple, yet delicious bread sticks mimic Olive Garden's. They are quick and easy enough for baking beginners.

Step 1: Ingredients

1 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Water

1/4 Cup (half stick) Butter

4-5 Cups Flour

3 Tablespoons Sugar

1 teaspoon Salt

2 Packages (2 1/4 tsp) Yeast

Additional melted butter and herb garlic salt to garnish if desired

This recipe makes about 2 sheets of bread sticks (about 25-30)

Step 2: Liquid Ingredients

Melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat.

Once melted, add the milk and water.

Continue to heat until the mixture reaches 120-130 degrees F (not too hot to touch, but warmer than luke warm)

Remove from heat.

Step 3: Dry Ingredients

While the liquid ingredients warm, add the dry ingredients to a stand mixer.

Mix 3 1/2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast until blended.

Step 4: Making the Dough

Slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients while the mixer is on low speed with a dough hook attachment.

Add in more flour as needed and continue to mix until the dough forms a nice ball that does not stick to the edges of the bowl (5-10 min).

Place the dough ball in a bowl with a little oil, rolling around the ball to get the edges slightly oiled.

Cover with a towel and place in a warm location to rise.

Let rise for 10 minutes (or until double).

Preheat the oven to 425* F.

Step 5: Forming the Bread Sticks

Once the dough has risen, take a couple of tablespoons of dough (more or less depending on how big you want the bread sticks) into your hand. Roll the dough into a long snake-like shape on a clean counter. (You can also be creative and form the bread sticks into other shapes, such as letters and numbers, hearts, etc. this is especially fun for kids to personalize their bread sticks).

Place bread sticks on a lined cookie sheet about an inch apart.

Let rise for another 5-10 minutes once formed.