Chewy Sourdough Breadsticks

Ingredients

• Bread
• 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 (6-ounce) carton (3/4 cup) plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• Topping
• 1 large Land O Lakes® Egg (white only) slightly beaten
• Sesame or poppy seeds, if desired
• Grated Parmesan cheese, if desired
• Coarse salt, if desired

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt in bowl. Set aside.

2. 2

   Combine water, yogurt and butter in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 2-4 minutes or until mixture reaches 120°F-130°F. (Butter may not melt completely.) Add warm yogurt mixture and vinegar to flour mixture. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.

3. 3

   Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead 3-5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Invert bowl over dough; let rise in warm place 30-60 minutes or until almost double in size.

4. 4

   Divide dough in half; roll each half into 10x8-inch rectangle. Cut each into 8 (1-inch-wide) strips. Stretch each strip to about 12 inches long. Fold strip in half; twist several times. Pinch ends to seal. Place onto greased baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic food wrap; let rise in warm place 15-20 minutes or until double in size.

5. 5

   Heat oven to 375°F.

6. 6

   Brush breadsticks with beaten egg white. Sprinkle with desired topping. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool.