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Black Olive Twists

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 4 3/4 hr (includes thawing dough)

Cooks' note:

Twists (without egg white and seeds) can be prepared 2 hours ahead and chilled, covered. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before coating with egg white and seeds and baking.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 12 soft breadsticks

Ingredients

1 lb frozen pizza dough, thawed
2 tablespoons prepared black olive paste (preferably not tapenade)
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Special Equipment

parchment paper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment.

    Step 2

    Cut dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-inch-long rope on a lightly floured surface with lightly floured hands, stretching as needed, then pat lightly to flatten slightly.

    Step 3

    Spread top of each rope with 1/2 teaspoon olive paste, then fold in half. Let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes.

    Step 4

    Working with 1 piece at a time, twist folded dough, stretching it slightly, into a 6-inch twist, then transfer to 1 of 2 baking sheets, pressing ends lightly onto parchment to keep twists from untwisting.

    Step 5

    Brush twists generously with egg white and sprinkle with fennel, cumin, and kosher salt, pressing to help adhere.

    Step 6

    Bake twists, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden, 22 to 24 minutes total. Transfer twists to a rack and cool to just warm.

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