Homemade Breadsticks with Garlic Cheese Dip

Soft, warm straight-out-of-the-oven, homemade breadsticks with a cold garlicky dip. There’s nothing quite like it. 

Today was in need of a kick start. It’s cold outside… I’m heading into the hospital for a long 12 hour work day and well it’s Monday.

Have I ever told you how much I love bread?

It’s as simple as that. I. LOVE. BREAD. And if you’ve been following me for the past four years I’ve made it no secret, in fact you’ve probably heard me say that a time or two orrr a million.

Speaking of bread… breadsticks are pretty much a necessity in our house.  We like them for swiping the last bit of sauce up after a big bowl of spaghetti, or reheated the next day for a snack… but we LOVE them with our pizza as long as there is some garlic cheese dip to schmear all over them.

The goods. Pretty basic stuff… pretty extraordinary sticks. I use to be quite intimidated by the bread making scene. But I figured out that the more times you force yourself to do it… the easier it becomes. So I urge you to dive right on in and experience these pretty fantastical breadsticks.

Start with measuring and adding two tablespoons of honey into the bowl of your mixer.

Pour in one and a half cups of warm {110-120 degrees} water and then sprinkle with a packet of yeast, let it do its thing and get all yeasty.

In a large bowl combine the 4-1/2 cups of flour and the tablespoon of salt.

Give it a good whisk to combine.

Pour the flour/salt mixture into the yeast/water bowl and scootch it off to the side for a quick sec.

Throw two tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small saucepan…

Heat the butter over low until melted.

Pour the melted butter into the mixing bowl.

Using the dough hook attachment… mix on low speed.

Stop once it pulls cleanly from the sides of the mixing bowl and has formed a large, smooth dough ball.

Remove the dough from the bowl, form a rectangle and then section it off into twelve to 18 sections depending on how big you want your breadsticks to be.

Roll them between your hands and form into “breadstick” shapes. I’m so technical… I know.

Cover with a damp towel and let them rise in a warm spot for about an hour.

While that’s happening you can move right on to making the garlic cheese dip. Or is it a spread? Hmmm.

Like all good things it starts with an 8 ounce brick of softened cream cheese.

I like to use a garlic press and squeeze in one good-sized garlic clove.

Not only does it smash it up pretty good, but it also squeezes out all the garlic juices, something you can’t achieve when you mince with a knife. Squeeze the garlic into the bowl with the cream cheese.

Add in a couple tablespoons of whole milk until it reaches a spreadable consistency… you be the judge.

Give it a good mix, adding more milk if necessary. Keep this refrigerated until you’re ready to bake those sticks.

Now would you just look at those breadsticks?! They’re ready to be baked…. but first we must dress these babies up.

Melt six tablespoons of butter in the same pan you used earlier.

You’re gonna need a pastry brush… just an fyi.

Add in a teaspoon of kosher salt…

And then a teaspoon of garlic powder.

Stir those together…

And then brush the buttery mixture over the top of the breadsticks.

Bake them in a preheated 400° oven for 6 minutes.

Lastly, remove and brush the homemade breadsticks with more of the garlic/butter mixture and then return them to the oven to bake for 6 to eight minutes more. I have to rotate my pan so they all get evenly browned. I also like to brush them for a third time after they are finished baking.

Finally serve the homemade breadsticks still warm from the oven with the garlic cheese dip.

Warm breadsticks… cold garlicky dip… *cue the quaint Italian restaurant music* and enjoy!

Enjoy! And if you give this homemade breadsticks recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

My cookbook Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy is now available! CLICK HERE for details and THANK YOU in advance! 

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Yield: 18 servings

Homemade Breadsticks with Garlic Cheese Dip

Soft, warm straight-out-of-the-oven, homemade breadsticks with a cold garlicky dip. There's nothing quite like it. Serve with your pizza or pasta!

Prep Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Ingredients

FOR THE BREADSTICKS:

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1½ cups warm water, between 110 - 120° F
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, or 1 envelope
• 4¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

BREADSTICK TOPPING:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

FOR THE GARLIC CHEESE DIP:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 clove garlic, grated or squeezed in a garlic press
• 2 tablespoons whole milk, or more as needed to think cheese dip

Instructions 

MAKE THE BREADSTICKS:

• In the bowl of your mixer; combine the honey, warm water and yeast. Let that sit for 5 minutes to proof.
• In a large bowl; combine the flour and salt. Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl.
• Add in the two tablespoons of melted butter. Turn your mixer {fitted with a dough hook} on low speed until the dough forms a ball and pulls freely from the sides of the bowl.
• Form the dough into a rectangle and cut evenly into 12 to 18 pieces depending on the size of breadsticks you're after. Roll each piece between your hands to for a smooth breadstick shape.
• Place on a silpat or parchment lined rimmed baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Place the pan in a warm spot to rise for one hour.
• In a small saucepan, melt six tablespoons of unsalted butter over low heat. Add in the teaspoon of kosher salt and garlic powder. Stir and brush over the risen bread sticks.
• Pop the breadsticks in a preheated 400 degree oven to bake for 6 minutes. Remove and brush with more of the butter/garlic mixture and return them back to the oven for 6-8 more minutes. You can brush one last time right when they come out of the oven if that's what your heart desires!
• Serve warm.

MAKE THE GARLIC CHEESE DIP:

• In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese, garlic and gradually add in the milk stopping when it has reached a spreadable consistency.

Serving: 1breadstick, Calories: 209kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 561mg, Potassium: 71mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 328IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg

Author: Laurie McNamara

Course: Appetizers & Snacks, Breads & Baked Goods

Cuisine: American

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