Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

As you know by now, The Littlest Apple is an extremely picky eater.  One food he will eat is pizza (cheese or pepperoni only, and preferably from one pizza chain in particular).  He also really enjoys the cheesy breadsticks we get from said favorite pizza chain.  I think the breadsticks might be his favorite part.  Honestly, that’s my favorite part of ordering pizza, too!  Since I’ve become quite comfortable making pizza at home, I decided it was high time I try to recreate one of our favorite pizza treats- the cheesy garlic breadsticks.  This recipe includes a recipe for the dough, and I love, love, LOVE this dough recipe.  It really is fool-proof and makes for great breadsticks, pizza, and pepperoni rolls.

Yum!  Those extra browned cheesy bits are my favorite!

Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

recipe from Lauren’s Latest via Pinterest

Ingredients:

• 1/2 recipe Fail-Proof Pizza Dough (recipe below)
• 2 tablespoons softened salted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 pound mozzarella cheese (I like to use the real stuff and slice it)
• garlic salt and pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 500 degrees with pizza stone inside. Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl and set aside. Spread pizza dough out into a 12-inch circle on parchment paper. {This makes it easier to transfer to the pizza stone.}   Spread the butter and garlic mixture over dough and top with parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Top with a light sprinkling of garlic salt and pepper, if desired. {That step is totally optional!}  Bake 9-10 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Remove from oven and cool 1-2 minutes before cutting. Serve hot, with marinara.

Don’t skimp on the cheese.  Use the good stuff and slice it.  Next time I’ll use even more!

Basic Pizza Dough
yield: 2-12 inch pizzas, approximately 1 lb. of dough

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups bread flour (I’ve also used all purpose flour with success)

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, preferably that of a stand mixer, stir yeast and honey into warm water. Sit for 5-10 minutes or until bubbles form and mixture starts to foam. This tells you that the yeast is alive and kicking. Pour in salt, oil and half the flour and mix. Once that flour is incorporated, start adding flour in bit by bit until you get the pizza dough to the consistency you want: slightly tacky, but when you touch it it doesn’t stick to your hands. Once you reach this stage, turn the mixer on high to knead for 6 minutes. Turn a timer on and walk away! Resist the temptation to stop earlier than 6 minutes! The dough should be smooth and easy to work with. And the bowl should be clean! Lightly grease the bowl & the dough so it doesn’t dry out, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise 1-2 hours.