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Rustic Dough Twister

These hand-twisted bread sticks feature a rustic texture with a golden crust and soft interior. Flavored with herbs and a touch of garlic, these versatile dough twisters are perfect for dipping in soups, serving alongside pasta, or enjoying on their own.

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Rustic Dough Twister - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Chef's Essential Tips

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Proper Fermentation:
Allowing adequate time for the yeast to develop flavor and create a light texture.
Kneading Technique:
Developing gluten through proper kneading for the ideal chewy-yet-tender consistency.
Twisting Method:
Creating the signature twisted shape that provides both visual appeal and textural interest.
Baking Environment:
Achieving the perfect golden crust while maintaining a soft interior through proper temperature and timing.
Rustic Dough Twister - secondary view

How to Create Perfect Rustic Dough Twisters

Proper Fermentation
Allowing adequate time for the yeast to develop flavor and create a light texture.
Kneading Technique
Developing gluten through proper kneading for the ideal chewy-yet-tender consistency.
Twisting Method
Creating the signature twisted shape that provides both visual appeal and textural interest.
Baking Environment
Achieving the perfect golden crust while maintaining a soft interior through proper temperature and timing.
Baking Tips
For a more complex flavor, try using a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour.
The dough can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary-garlic, thyme-lemon zest, or basil-sun-dried tomato.
To create a softer twister, brush with melted butter instead of olive oil before baking.
These freeze beautifully. Freeze completely cooled twisters in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes.
For a shinier crust, brush with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) instead of olive oil.
If you prefer a chewier texture, spray the inside of the oven with water just before baking or place a small pan of water on the bottom rack.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dough for a subtle heat.
Rustic Dough Twister - tertiary view

Rustic Dough Twister

These hand-twisted bread sticks feature a rustic texture with a golden crust and soft interior. Flavored with herbs and a touch of garlic, these versatile dough twisters are perfect for dipping in soups, serving alongside pasta, or enjoying on their own.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
Prep Time
2H
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
2H25 Minutes
Chef
JUE
Category
Bread, Side Dish
Difficulty
Medium
Cuisine
Italian-Inspired, Artisanal
Yield
12 twisters
Dietary
Vegetarian, Contains gluten
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0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
3 1/2 cups (450g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
02
1 cup (245g) warm water (110°F/43°C)
03
2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
04
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
05
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
06
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
07
1 tablespoon dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, or Italian herb blend)
08
2 cloves garlic, minced
09
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt for topping
10
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
11
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

01
In a small bowl, combine warm water, honey or sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
02
In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and dried herbs. Make a well in the center.
03
Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, and minced garlic to the well. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
04
Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should bounce back when poked.
05
Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
06
Punch down the dough and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 12 equal portions.
07
Working with one piece at a time, roll each portion into a 12-inch rope.
08
Fold each rope in half and twist the two strands together, pinching the ends to seal.
09
Place the twisted dough pieces on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel.
10
Let the twisters rise for another 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C).
11
Brush each twister with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt, fresh rosemary, and Parmesan cheese if using.
12
Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, until golden brown.
13
Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
14
Serve warm or at room temperature.