Soft breadsticks in the shape of the Quake logo.

I prefer soft breadsticks over thin and crispy, so these breadsticks will puff out a bit, making the pointy edges of the Quake logo impossible. That's a small price to pay for deliciousness. Plus, soft breadsticks tend to soak up delicious garlic butter dip better.

Ingredients:

1 package quick-acting dry yeast
1 1/3 c. warm water (105 to 115F)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus some to dust.
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1 or 2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 400F.

First thing to do is proof the yeast, which is a fancy cooking way of saying that we're going to see if the yeast is still alive.

Pour the warm water into a bowl. I used a thermometer to test the temp, but you can tell by touch; it'll feel like a hot shower. You don't want want it too hot, or else it'll kill the yeast.

Warm enough to make the yeast happy.

Add the package of yeast, the sugar, and let sit for five minutes. If the water mixture is a little foamy, the yeast is alive. Hooray! If it the water doesn't seem to do anything, well, you're going to need a new packet because that yeast isn't going to do squat.

Just added the yeast.

After five minutes.

Stir in the flour, oil, honey, and salt. Mix until the dough begins to pull away from the sides.

Ready to rise!

Cover the dough and place somewhere warm. I like to put the bowl on top of the heated oven.

Yeast is happiest in dough when the air temp is 80F.

Wait about 45 minutes for the yeast to party it up and get the dough rising.

Once it's risen, punch the dough down and knead a few times on a floured surface to coat the dough with flour.

Roll out and shape into strips, the size depending on how big you'd like the breadsticks to be. Mine were about two handfuls for the large loop, and less than a handful for the spike.

Grease a baking sheet and set the strips of dough.

Brush with egg white and sprinkle with salt, or brush with butter and add your own breadstick topping of choice. Popular choices include sesame seeds, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese. If I wasn't in a healthy mood, these breadsticks would've been covered in a blanket of cheese. I don't trust anyone who doesn't like cheese.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

Bigger image

Serve warm! Makes four 6" tall quake symbols.