This Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is a wonderfully sweet, savory, and creamy twist on traditional garlic bread! With soft Hawaiian sweet rolls, a rich cream cheese filling, and a garlic butter dip, this easy recipe is bursting with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for serving as a fun family snack, a party appetizer, or simply when you crave something deliciously unique!
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Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread has recently become a global phenomenon. This delicious bread combines the best of sweet and savory flavors, all in one unforgettable bite. Popularized by South Korean street vendors, it’s a creative twist on garlic bread that many find irresistible.
Initially, I made it from scratch – bread, filling, garlic butter, everything. But let’s be real: life gets busy! Now, I use Hawaiian sweet rolls from Costco, and it’s just as delicious. My kids absolutely love this bread, and it’s become a favorite snack request in our house. With this shortcut, making Korean cream cheese garlic bread is easy, quick, and always a hit!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Quick and Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with Hawaiian sweet rolls as a shortcut.
- Sweet & Savory Delight – Combines creamy, cheesy, and garlicky flavors in each bite.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Perfect as a party snack or family treat that everyone will enjoy.
- Versatile – Serve as an appetizer, side dish, or satisfying snack.
- Fun Twist on Garlic Bread – Adds a sweet and creamy filling to the familiar taste of garlic bread.
What is Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread?
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread combines garlic bread’s classic flavor with a sweet and creamy twist. This bread originated in South Korea and quickly became popular for its unique blend of flavors and textures. Pronounced “han-gook-eui krim chi-jeu ma-neul bbang,” it translates literally to “Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread.”
Street vendors in Korea typically use freshly baked bread rolls, split open, filled with sweet cream cheese, and soaked in garlic butter before baking. The unique contrast of sweet cream cheese and garlicky, buttery bread has made this a viral sensation that’s now enjoyed worldwide. As a street food staple, it’s a delicious representation of how Korean cuisine loves to combine sweet, savory, and rich flavors into one amazing bite
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
- Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls – Soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for this recipe.
Cheese Filling:
- Cream Cheese – Smooth and tangy, perfect for a creamy filling.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds a slight sweetness to balance out the garlic and cheese.
Garlic Butter Dip:
- Melted Butter – Base of our garlic butter, for a rich taste.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds a unique sweetness to the garlic dip.
- Egg – Helps the dip coat the buns and creates a golden crust.
- Fresh Garlic – Brings a bold, fresh garlic flavor.
- Dried Parsley – For a pop of color and a mild, herbaceous flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Brioche Buns – Substitute Hawaiian sweet rolls with brioche for a richer taste.
- Honey – Use honey instead of sweetened condensed milk for a less creamy sweetness.
- Fresh Herbs – Add fresh chives or green onions for more flavor.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Mix cheddar into the cream cheese for a sharper, cheesier flavor.
- Garlic Powder – For a milder garlic flavor, replace fresh garlic with garlic powder.
How To Korean Cream Cheese Garlic 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 it’s well-coated. Arrange the rolls on a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the buns are golden and the cheese filling is warm.
Variations
- Spicy Cheese Garlic Bread – Add some red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture for a spicy kick.
- Herbed Cheese – Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the cheese filling for a different flavor profile.
- Bacon Cheese Garlic Bread – Add crispy bacon bits to the cream cheese filling for extra savoriness.
- Cheddar Cream Cheese – Add shredded cheddar cheese for a more intense cheesy flavor in the filling.
- Nutty Twist – Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cheese filling for added texture and flavor.
What To Serve With This
- Kimchi Fried Rice - A savory and spicy rice dish that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the bread.
- Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) - A comforting soup that balances the richness of the cream cheese garlic bread.
- Korean Fried Chicken - The crispy and flavorful chicken makes a delightful contrast to the soft bread.
- Bibimbap - A colorful, balanced rice bowl with fresh and cooked veggies that complements the bread’s creamy texture.
- Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef) - Sweet and savory beef slices that pair wonderfully with the garlicky bread.
- Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles) - These slightly sweet and savory noodles are a great side to cut through the bread’s richness.
- Kimchi Pancakes - Crispy pancakes with a kick of spice add texture and flavor alongside the bread.
- Spicy Tteokbokki (Korean Rice Cakes) - Chewy and spicy rice cakes offer a bold pairing to the garlic bread.
- Seafood Hot Pot - A hearty seafood soup that balances the bread's indulgence with light, brothy flavors.
- Korean BBQ Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal) - Smoky grilled pork belly wrapped in lettuce is a savory complement to the bread.
- Steamed Dumplings (Mandu) - Light and juicy dumplings are a satisfying accompaniment to the bread’s creamy filling.
- Korean Egg Rolls (Gyeran Mari) - Fluffy, rolled omelets add a soft texture and mild flavor to balance the garlic bread.
- Pickled Radish or Daikon - These tangy, crunchy pickles refresh the palate between bites of rich bread.
- Sweet Potato Noodles (Goguma Japchae) - A sweeter noodle variation that enhances the bread's sweetness.
- Korean Corn Cheese - Gooey, cheesy corn with a hint of sweetness that mirrors the bread’s flavors.
- Spicy Cucumber Salad - Crisp and spicy cucumber slices provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy bread.
- Soy Garlic Chicken Wings - Sticky, savory wings echo the garlic flavors in the bread.Korean Milk Tea - A creamy and sweet drink to round out the flavors of the bread.
- Soft-Boiled Eggs with Soy Sauce Marinade - Perfectly seasoned eggs with a creamy yolk to complement the bread.
- Miso Soup with Wakame - A light and savory soup that adds an umami touch to the meal.
How to Store Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Korean cream cheese garlic bread in foil or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, bake at 300°F (150°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until warmed through.
Expert Tips
- Score Carefully – Cut the bread lightly, creating sections without going all the way through to keep the filling intact.
- Piping Bag for Ease – Use a piping bag to make filling each section with cream cheese quicker and cleaner.
- Soften the Cream Cheese – Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to mix easily.
- Fresh Garlic is Key – Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the garlic butter mixture.
- Lined Baking Sheet – Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! You can use homemade buns or any soft rolls if you prefer.
Yes, garlic powder works too, though fresh garlic brings out more flavor.
Yes, freeze it after baking. To reheat, bake directly from frozen at 300°F until warmed through.
More Savory Sides
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Equipment
- 1 9x9 baking pan
- 1 MIxing Bowl
- 1 hand mixer
- piping bag
Ingredients
- 9 pieces Hawaaian Sweet Bread Rolls
Garlic Butter Sauce
- ¾ 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 it’s well-coated. Arrange the rolls on a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) 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 – Cut the bread lightly, creating sections without going all the way through to keep the filling intact.
- Piping Bag for Ease – Use a piping bag to make filling each section with cream cheese quicker and cleaner.
- Soften the Cream Cheese – Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to mix easily.
- Fresh Garlic is Key – Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the garlic butter mixture.
- Lined Baking Sheet – Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
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