Breadsticks

Love these breadsticks! They have a very nice slightly sweet taste.

2 packages active dry yeast or 4 1/2 tsps bulk active dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon divided
2 cups warm water (110-115 degrees f) divided
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tsp salt
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1 cup warm water (I usually turn my kitchen faucet to as hot as it will go and use that). Add the oil, egg, salt, 2 cups of flour, and remaining sugar and water. Beat until smooth (this usually takes a couple of minutes on high speed in my kitchen aid). Stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Placed in a greased bowl, turning to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes. (A trick I learned was before starting to make your dough, turn your oven on to the lowest temperature possible, mine is 170 degrees, let it preheat and then turn it off. Put your covered bowl of dough in the oven and it will rise quicker. Great when you need things done quickly!)
2. Punch the dough down. Turn onto a floured surface. Knead a few times. Divide into 32 pieces. Shape each piece into a rope. Sometimes I do  shorter breadsticks so they are denser and other times long skinny ones- usually a bit of both. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes.
3. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with softened butter and sprinkle with garlic salt if desired.