Perfect Breadsticks with Buttery Garlic Topping

For the bread sticks:
Pour yeast into a small bowl with 1/4 cup warm water and a pinch of sugar. Stir well. Allow yeast to proof until bubbly and active, about 5-10 minutes.

In the bowl of a stand mixer add the proofed yeast, warm milk, oil, egg, sugar, salt and 1 1/2 cups of the flour.

With the paddle attachment, on low speed mix ingredients for five minutes. The batter should be smooth.

Change to the dough hook and add 1 cup of flour. Mix on low speed until flour is incorporated. Add only enough remaining flour, a little at a time, until a medium soft dough forms. The dough should be tacky, but not sticky.

Continue to knead the dough in the mixer or by hand on a lightly floured countertop until smooth and elastic. There will be very small bubbles just under the surface of the dough when it has been kneaded enough.

Gather dough into a ball. Place into a greased bowl, turn dough over once so that the entire dough surface is lightly coated with oil. Cover bowl with a slightly damp kitchen towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

Punch dough down and work out the large yeasty bubbles. Divide into 16 equal sized pieces. The use of a kitchen scale will help to make the pieces equal in weight, if you care about that sort of thing.

Working each piece of dough against the countertop, form 16 ropes, each about 6-inches long.

Using two parchment lined or well greased baking sheets, place 8 ropes on each sheet. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm place for 30 minute. Towards the end of the rising period, preheat oven to 375 F.

When done rising, put the pans into the oven and bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

For the garlic bread topping:
In a small mixing bowl, mix together all of the topping ingredients. The ingredients can also be placed in a jar and shaken.

Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir 1 tablespoon of the garlic bread topping into the melted butter, then brush each hot bread stick with the mixture. Serve.

The remaining mix can easily be stored in the jar in the refrigerator.