This Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is a sweet, savory, and creamy twist on classic garlic bread โ made fast with Hawaiian rolls. Soft bread, rich cream cheese filling, and buttery garlic coating come together in under 30 minutes. A cozy, crowd-pleasing snack thatโs as fun as it is delicious.
If youโve tried my easy Korean-inspired snacks like Rice Cake Tteokbokki, Korean Mayak Eggs, or Gochujang Shakshuka, this garlic bread fits right in.
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When Korean street food went viral, this bread stole the show โ and for good reason. Sweet, garlicky, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite.
I used to make everything from scratch (yes, even the rolls). Then Costco saved my sanity. Their Hawaiian sweet rolls taste just as good โ and my kids canโt tell the difference. Now this recipe is my weeknight or party go-to whenever we want something fun and comforting, no kneading required.
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Why You'll Love It
- Fast & Easy: 30 minutes, start to finish.
- Sweet + Savory Magic: Cream cheese, garlic butter, and a hint of sweetness.
- No Dough Drama: Hawaiian rolls = instant bakery vibes.
- Kid-Approved: My kids inhale these before they even hit the table.
What is Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread?
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread (๋ง๋๋นต) started as a popular street food in South Korea โ imagine bakery rolls split, stuffed with sweet cream cheese, soaked in garlic butter, and baked until golden.
Itโs basically garlic breadโs extra cousin โ sweet, buttery, garlicky, and unbelievably addictive. The contrast of creamy cheese and crispy bread makes every bite hit that perfect sweet-savory balance.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
- Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls โ Soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for this recipe.
Cream Cheese Fillings
- Cream Cheese โ Smooth and tangy, perfect for a creamy filling.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk โ Adds a slight sweetness to balance out the garlic and cheese.
Garlic Butter Dip
- Melted Butter โ Base of our garlic butter, for a rich taste.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk โ Adds a unique sweetness to the garlic dip.
- Egg โ Helps the dip coat the buns and creates a golden crust.
- Fresh Garlic โ Brings a bold, fresh garlic flavor.
- Dried Parsley โ For a pop of color and a mild, herbaceous flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Swaps & Add-Ins
- Brioche Buns โ Substitute Hawaiian sweet rolls with brioche for a richer taste.
- Honey โ Use honey instead of sweetened condensed milk for a less creamy sweetness.
- Fresh Herbs โ Add fresh chives or green onions for more flavor.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese โ Mix cheddar into the cream cheese for a sharper, cheesier flavor.
- Garlic Powder โ For a milder garlic flavor, replace fresh garlic with garlic powder.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Lightly slice each Hawaiian sweet roll to form a cross on top without cutting through the bottom, creating four sections.
- Assemble the Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Transfer this mixture to a piping bag for easy application.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sweetened condensed milk, egg, minced garlic, and dried parsley until well combined.
- Fill the Rolls: Pipe a generous amount of the cream cheese filling into each section of the cross on each bun.
- Dip in Garlic Butter: Dip each filled roll into the garlic butter mixture, making sure itโs well-coated. Arrange the rolls on a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the buns are golden and the cheese filling is warm.
Variations
- Spicy Cheese Garlic Bread โ Add some red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture for a spicy kick.
- Herbed Cheese โ Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the cheese filling for a different flavor profile.
- Bacon Cheese Garlic Bread โ Add crispy bacon bits to the cream cheese filling for extra savoriness.
- Cheddar Cream Cheese โ Add shredded cheddar cheese for a more intense cheesy flavor in the filling.
- Nutty Twist โ Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cheese filling for added texture and flavor.
Meal Prep & Storage
- To Make Ahead: Mix the cream cheese filling and garlic butter a day early; store in the fridge.
- To Store Leftovers: Wrap in foil or airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
- To Reheat: Bake at 300ยฐF for 5โ8 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Score Carefully โ Cut the bread lightly, creating sections without going all the way through to keep the filling intact.
- Piping Bag for Ease โ Use a piping bag to make filling each section with cream cheese quicker and cleaner.
- Soften the Cream Cheese โ Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to mix easily.
- Fresh Garlic is Key โ Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the garlic butter mixture.
- Lined Baking Sheet โ Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Recipe FAQs
Yes โ you can prepare the rolls (slice them, fill them with cream cheese) up to a day ahead, cover tightly in the fridge, then dip and bake when youโre ready. This gives you major time-savings for game nights or when youโre expecting company.
Not necessarily โ the sweet roll pairs nicely with the garlic-butter and cream cheese, but if youโre worried about sweetness: choose rolls that are less sweet (brioche or plain dinner rolls) and reduce the sweetened condensed milk in the filling or dipping mixture.
For gluten-free: look for certified gluten-free soft dinner rolls (or make your own). For lower-carb: use a low-carb bread roll that holds up when dipped. Keep in mind texture will shift (less fluffy, might get denser) but the flavor combo still works.
Yes, leaking can happen if the rolls are sliced too deeply or the filling is too runny. Prevent it by: slicing only about ยพ of the way through, using thickened cream cheese filling (chill slightly if needed), and letting excess butter-garlic dip drip off before baking.
More Savory Recipes to Serve With It
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread (Easy 30-Minute Shortcut)
Equipment
- 1 9x9 baking pan
- 1 MIxing Bowl
- 1 hand mixer
- piping bag
Ingredients
- 9 pieces Hawaaian Sweet Bread Rolls
Garlic Butter Sauce
- ยพ cup Melted butter
- 2 tablespoon Condensed milk
- 1 medium egg
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
Cream Cheese Filling
- 200 gram Cream cheese
- 3 tablespoon condensed milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Prepare the Bread Lightly slice each Hawaiian sweet roll to form a cross on top without cutting through the bottom, creating four sections.
- Assemble the Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Transfer this mixture to a piping bag for easy application.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sweetened condensed milk, egg, minced garlic, and dried parsley until well combined.
- Fill the Rolls: Pipe a generous amount of the cream cheese filling into each section of the cross on each bun.
- Dip in Garlic Butter: Dip each filled roll into the garlic butter mixture, making sure itโs well-coated. Arrange the rolls on a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the buns are golden and the cheese filling is warm.
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Notes
- Score Carefully โ Cut the bread lightly, creating sections without going all the way through to keep the filling intact.
- Piping Bag for Ease โ Use a piping bag to make filling each section with cream cheese quicker and cleaner.
- Soften the Cream Cheese โ Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to mix easily.
- Fresh Garlic is Key โ Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the garlic butter mixture.
- Lined Baking Sheet โ Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Best fresh out of the oven.
- To reheat: 300ยฐF for 5โ8 minutes.
- Freeze before baking if prepping ahead.
- Try adding bacon, herbs, or extra cheese for variations.
Thank you for your feedback ๐