Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe
If you are craving a treat that’s buttery, garlicky, and bursting with luscious cream cheese in every bite, then Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is definitely calling your name. This irresistible street food favorite from Seoul combines the comforting warmth of soft, pillowy bread with a sweet and savory cream cheese filling, all enveloped in a golden, crispy, garlicky crust. Each piece offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that will have you hooked from the very first bite. Whether you’re serving it as a snack, appetizer, or alongside your favorite meal, this dish is a delightful twist on traditional garlic bread that deserves a cherished place in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread, you only need a handful of simple ingredients, but each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect harmony of flavor, texture, and color. From the creamy filling to the buttery garlic soak, every element enhances the final bite beautifully.
- Dinner rolls or burger buns: Soft and slightly sweet buns provide the perfect base that holds the cream cheese filling without falling apart.
- Cream cheese: The star of the filling, softened cream cheese delivers smooth richness and a creamy texture that makes the bread truly special.
- Caster sugar: A touch of sweetness that balances the savory garlic and butter while complementing the cream cheese filling.
- Butter: Salted butter brings richness and moisture, essential for the garlic butter soak that coats the buns.
- Full-fat milk: Adds a custardy texture to the garlic butter, making the bread irresistibly moist.
- Eggs: Eggs add a glossy sheen to the garlic butter mixture and help bind flavors together beautifully.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic delivers a punch of robust flavor that powers the savory notes in this dish.
- Parsley: Finely chopped parsley provides a fresh, herbal contrast and a pop of green color that brightens the bread’s appearance.
How to Make Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
Begin by combining softened cream cheese with caster sugar. Stir until smooth and lump-free, creating a luscious, slightly sweet filling that will melt inside the bread and add a luxurious texture.
Step 2: Transfer Filling to a Piping Bag
Place the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with the tip snipped off. This will make it easier to fill the bread evenly and with precision.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture
In a bowl, melt the butter then whisk in full-fat milk, eggs, a bit of caster sugar, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. This blend creates a custard-like, garlicky soak that will coat the bread, making it flavorful and rich.
Step 4: Score the Bread Rolls
Take each dinner roll and cut 6 to 8 wedges down to but not through the base. This segmented structure lets the garlic butter seep in during baking and holds the cream cheese filling nicely.
Step 5: Fill the Bread with Cream Cheese
Pipe the cream cheese filling into the spaces between each section carefully. Concentrate the filling towards the base so each wedge is buttery and cheesy without spilling out.
Step 6: Dunk the Buns in Garlic Butter
Submerge each filled bun into the garlic butter mixture, turning to coat fully. Let the excess drip off; this coats the bread deeply with flavor while ensuring the crust will crisp beautifully.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Arrange the butter-soaked buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a Silpat. Bake at 200°C (about 400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes. The buns will develop a gorgeously golden and crispy exterior with soft, creamy interiors.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Allow the Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread to cool for a few minutes so the filling slightly sets. Then, dig in and experience the irresistible combination of crunchy garlic crust and creamy cheese center.
How to Serve Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Garnishes
This bread is delicious as-is, but a light sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan on top just before baking adds color and a flavor boost. A dusting of chili flakes provides a spicy kick for those who love a little heat with their garlic bread.
Side Dishes
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad, tomato-based soup, or even a comforting bowl of ramen. The creamy richness of the bread balances light, acidic sides perfectly for a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bread into individual wedges and arranging them in a circle on a sharing platter. Add small bowls of dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or a Korean-inspired spicy mayo to elevate the experience for guests. For an indulgent twist, drizzle honey or a sweet glaze over the top just before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread tightly in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to keep the bread fresh and the filling intact.
Freezing
You can freeze the bread before baking by wrapping it well and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as usual. This way, you can enjoy homemade Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread anytime with minimal effort.
Reheating
The best way to reheat leftovers is in a preheated oven or toaster oven at around 180°C (350°F) for 5 to 7 minutes. This will restore the crispy exterior while warming the creamy inside to perfection without drying it out.
FAQs
What type of bread is best for Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread?
Soft dinner rolls or slightly sweet burger buns work best because they hold the filling well and have a tender crumb that contrasts with the crispy crust.
Can I make Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread without eggs?
Yes, eggs add a nice sheen and richness but you can omit them. The bread will still be delicious with a slight difference in texture.
Is the cream cheese filling sweet or savory?
The filling is slightly sweetened with caster sugar, which balances the savory garlic butter and adds the signature sweet-savory harmony that makes this bread special.
Can I substitute the milk in the garlic butter?
Full-fat milk or half-and-half works best for that custard-like texture. Condensed milk is also an option but reduce or omit sugar if you use it, as it’s already sweetened.
How do I prevent the bread from getting soggy?
Make sure not to soak the buns for too long in the garlic butter and let excess drip off before baking. Baking at a high temperature crisps the outside beautifully while keeping the inside moist.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread before, you’re in for a real treat that’s both nostalgic and excitingly new. It’s simple enough for a weeknight snack but impressive enough for sharing with friends and family. The marriage of buttery garlic goodness, soft bread, and a creamy cheese center is pure magic. I really hope you give this recipe a go and experience the joy of Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread for yourself—trust me, you’ll want to make it again and again!
PrintKorean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors, featuring soft dinner rolls filled with a luscious cream cheese and sugar mixture, dunked in a custardy garlic butter sauce, and baked to golden perfection. This recipe delivers a crispy crust with a creamy, tangy interior that is irresistibly addictive and perfect as a snack or side dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 10 bread rolls 1x
- Category: Bread, Side Dish, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dinner Rolls
- 10 Dinner rolls or burger buns (store-bought or homemade)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 tablespoons caster sugar
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/3 cup full-fat milk
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 7–8 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat.
- Make cream cheese filling: In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the softened cream cheese and caster sugar until smooth and lump-free. Transfer this mixture into a piping bag or a Ziploc bag and set aside.
- Prepare garlic butter: Melt the butter in a large bowl, then add full-fat milk, eggs, caster sugar, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Mix well to create a custardy garlic butter mixture.
- Cut rolls: Using a sharp knife, cut each dinner roll into 6 to 8 wedges, making sure not to cut all the way through the base to keep the bun intact. Cutting in halves, then quarters, then further is recommended for even wedges.
- Fill cream cheese: Snip off the corner of the piping bag and carefully fill the crevices between the wedges of each roll with the cream cheese mixture, concentrating at the base to push wedges apart and maximize filling.
- Dunk rolls in garlic butter: Fully dunk each cream cheese-filled roll into the garlic butter mixture, allowing excess butter to drip off before placing them on the prepared baking tray.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the rolls are crowned with a crispy, golden-brown crust.
- Cool and serve: Let the rolls cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy the combination of a crunchy crust with a creamy, tangy filling.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easy mixing without needing an electric mixer.
- Ensure cuts in the bread are deep enough to hold the filling but do not slice through completely.
- Creating 8 wedges allows more filling and a better taste experience than just 6.
- When dunking the rolls in garlic butter, use hands or a fork carefully to avoid mess; disposable gloves may help.
- Watch the bread closely near the end of baking as it can burn quickly due to the butter content.
- You can substitute full-fat milk with half-and-half or omit sugar if using sweetened condensed milk for a richer flavor.
- Eggs add sheen but can be left out if desired.
- Any soft dinner roll or burger bun works, including whole wheat or brioche variety.
- For added texture, sprinkle Parmesan cheese or panko bread crumbs on the top before baking.
- Store leftover bread tightly wrapped or in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in an oven or toaster oven for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread roll
- Calories: 256 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Korean garlic bread, cream cheese bread, garlic butter bread, Korean street food, cheesy garlic rolls, savory snack, baked garlic bread
