Munch Madness 2015

Munch Madness 2015: Olive Garden breadsticks

Nicole Smeltzer of The Middlest Sister is here to test out Pinterest’s most popular Olive Garden Breadsticks copycat, as posted by Chef-in-Training.

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I was so excited when I landed my Munch Madness copycat recipe: Olive Garden Breadsticks! Breadsticks are obviously the best part of the Olive Garden experience, and I was fully prepared to live happily ever after with my copycat recipe in an avalanche of buttery, garlicky goodness.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

Most of the time, a decent bread recipe takes the better part of a day. Kneading, punching, rising, repeat, repeat, repeat… but this one promised to come together in just about an hour. And it did!

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

Sadly, my breadstick castle in the sky started crumbling down around me once I took a closer look at the ingredients.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

It really did say 1 tablespoon of salt.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

It was incredibly difficult for me to follow the directions to the letter. I bake a lot and I KNOW that’s too much salt. But I did it. Against my better judgment, I added one full tablespoon of salt. That’s three teaspoons, by the way. Three of them.

I moved on. I mixed and I kneaded. The recipe said to “add more or less as needed” when it came to the flour. I definitely needed more.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

A lot more.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

Once I managed to roll the sticks into shape, I left them to rise for 45 minutes. They rose beautifully, and I popped them into the oven with regaining optimism. It was now time to make the butter topping!

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

Again, I had to grit my teeth and waste, er, use ½ a cup of butter. That’s a full stick of butter, y’all!

And yes, it was WAY TOO MUCH.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

Finally, the breadsticks were done, and they smelled so yummy. It was time for the taste test! I called my family over for the verdict.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

And we all died of salt poisoning.

With a little tweaking, this recipe might be a decent copycat, but as written, I’m sorry to say it didn’t hit the mark. Goodbye, breadstick castle. I’ll see you tonight in my dreams.

Olive Garden Breadsticks by Nicole Smeltzer

Kristina Ackerman

Kristina Ackerman is a busy freelance web designer, living and DIYing with her fella and their little fella in a cute old house in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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