Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is a unique and irresistible fusion of savory, creamy, and crispy flavors. Inspired by the popular street food in Seoul, these garlic buns are filled with a luscious cream cheese mixture and topped with a garlic butter sauce, creating a tantalizing balance of sweet and salty. This recipe combines the softness of bread rolls with a crispy golden crust, making it an addictive snack or side dish. The combination of cream cheese, garlic, and butter will make this your new favorite version of garlic bread.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
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1 cup cream cheese, softened
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1.5 tbsp caster sugar
For the Garlic Butter:
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½ cup butter (salted)
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⅓ cup milk (full-fat)
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1 tbsp caster sugar
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2 eggs
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7-8 cloves garlic, finely minced
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2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
For the Bread:
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10 dinner rolls or burger buns (store-bought or homemade)
Directions
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.
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Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Combine the softened cream cheese and caster sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
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Prepare the Garlic Butter: Melt the butter and mix with milk, sugar, eggs, minced garlic, and parsley.
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Cut the Rolls: Slice each roll into 6-8 wedges, making sure not to cut all the way through.
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Fill the Bread: Using a piping bag or Ziploc bag, fill the crevices of the bread with the cream cheese mixture.
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Dunk in Garlic Butter: Dunk each filled roll into the garlic butter mixture, ensuring the bread is thoroughly coated.
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Bake: Place the rolls on the prepared baking tray and bake for 15-18 minutes until the tops are golden and crispy.
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Cool and Serve: Let the rolls cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the crispy, buttery garlic bread!
Nutrients (per roll)
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Calories: 256 kcal
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Fat: 13g
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Saturated Fat: 7g
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Carbohydrates: 26g
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 5g
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Protein: 9g
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Sodium: 477mg
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Cholesterol: 61mg
Why Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is So Special
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread stands out because of its unique fusion of cream cheese and garlic butter, which gives the bread an irresistible richness and depth of flavor. The cream cheese filling inside the bread adds a smooth, slightly sweet contrast to the garlicky, buttery exterior. When baked, the rolls develop a golden, crispy crust that complements the softness of the bread.
This recipe offers a delightful balance of savory and creamy with a touch of sweetness from the sugar, making each bite a satisfying experience. It’s the perfect blend of familiar flavors with an exciting twist, and its crispy exterior and rich interior make it a standout dish for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it as a snack, serving it alongside a meal, or sharing it with friends, this bread is sure to impress.
Key Ingredients and Their Role in the Recipe
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Cream Cheese: The cream cheese filling provides a rich, creamy texture and a mild tanginess that balances the strong garlic flavor in the butter sauce. It adds a luxurious element to the bread.
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Butter: The garlic butter mixture is the heart of this recipe. It gives the bread its crispy, golden exterior and enhances the overall flavor with its richness and savory goodness.
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Garlic: Garlic is the star of the butter mixture, infusing the bread with a warm, aromatic flavor. It adds depth and complements the creaminess of the cream cheese.
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Sugar: A small amount of caster sugar in both the cream cheese filling and the garlic butter balances the savory flavors and adds a slight sweetness to the bread, making it more addictive.
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Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a burst of color and freshness to the garlic butter mixture, as well as a slight herbal note that enhances the overall flavor.
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Dinner Rolls or Burger Buns: The base of this dish is the bread, which can be store-bought or homemade. The rolls are soft on the inside but crisp up beautifully when baked with the garlic butter sauce.
How to Make the Perfect Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, with minimal ingredients needed. Here’s how you can make it:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a Silpat mat for easy cleanup.
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Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
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In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with 1.5 tablespoons of caster sugar. Mix until smooth and well-combined. Set aside.
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Prepare the Garlic Butter:
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In a medium-sized bowl, melt the butter and mix it with milk, 1 tablespoon of caster sugar, 2 eggs, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the garlic is evenly distributed.
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Cut the Rolls:
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Slice each roll into 6-8 wedges, being careful not to cut all the way through, so that the rolls stay connected at the base. This allows the cream cheese and garlic butter to soak into the bread.
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Fill the Bread:
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Using a piping bag or Ziploc bag, fill the crevices of the bread with the prepared cream cheese mixture. Make sure to fill each slit generously.
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Dunk in Garlic Butter:
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Dunk each filled roll into the garlic butter mixture, ensuring the bread is thoroughly coated with the garlic butter. This step is key to achieving a rich, crispy exterior.
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Bake:
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Place the rolls on the prepared baking tray and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden and crispy. The bread should be fully baked and the cream cheese filling should be slightly melty.
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Cool and Serve:
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Let the rolls cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. Serve warm and enjoy the crispy, buttery, garlic-infused deliciousness!
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Pro Tips for Perfect Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
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Use Fresh Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature before mixing. This ensures it blends smoothly with the sugar and is easy to pipe into the bread.
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Don’t Overfill the Rolls: While the cream cheese filling is delicious, be careful not to overfill the rolls, as it can spill out during baking. A generous yet controlled amount will work best.
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Adjust the Garlic to Your Taste: The amount of garlic can be adjusted based on your preference for garlic flavor. If you want a stronger garlic taste, feel free to add more minced garlic to the butter mixture.
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Experiment with Different Breads: While this recipe calls for dinner rolls or burger buns, you can experiment with other types of bread, such as baguettes or ciabatta, for a different texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
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With Pasta: Serve alongside pasta dishes like spaghetti or fettuccine for a complete, indulgent meal. The creamy and garlicky flavors pair wonderfully with rich pasta sauces.
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With Soup: This garlic bread is perfect for dipping in soups, especially creamy ones like tomato basil, pumpkin, or French onion.
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As an Appetizer: Serve these rolls as an appetizer at your next gathering. The warm, gooey filling and crispy exterior make them a crowd-pleaser.
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As a Snack: These rolls are delicious on their own as a savory snack. Pair them with a cold beverage for a simple and satisfying treat.
Nutritional Information for Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Each roll contains approximately 256 calories, with 13 grams of fat, including 7 grams of saturated fat. The bread has 26 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of sugar. It also provides 9 grams of protein and 477 mg of sodium per serving. If you use feta or add extra toppings, the nutritional values will change slightly.
Conclusion
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is a deliciously unique take on classic garlic bread, offering a rich, creamy interior with a crispy, buttery exterior. The combination of cream cheese, garlic, and butter makes this bread utterly irresistible. Whether you’re serving it as a snack, side dish, or appetizer, this recipe will become a new favorite in your household. Easy to make and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for any occasion. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked on this flavorful, addictive bread!