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Amazing Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns

Featured in Homemade Bread.

These amazing Korean buns take soft and fluffy sweet rolls, fill them with creamy and sweetened cream cheese, and then dunk them in a silky garlic butter custard. The rolls soak up all that rich flavor yet hold their shape. Once baked, the buns get a golden, crispy outside while staying pillowy within, delivering the perfect mix of buttery garlic, savory flavors, and sweet cream cheese.
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punchofyummy
Updated on Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:04:42 GMT
Golden garlic buns with a creamy cheese filling and savory buttery topping. Pin it
Golden garlic buns with a creamy cheese filling and savory buttery topping. | pinchofyummy.com

These delightful Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns feature pillowy soft bread filled with rich cream cheese and coated in fragrant garlic butter. The combination creates an irresistible harmony of textures - from the crispy exterior to the smooth, creamy center. Every bite balances sweet and savory notes in perfect measure.

Key Ingredients

  • Dinner rolls: Light and fluffy rolls like King's Hawaiian provide the perfect base texture
  • Cream cheese: Full-fat, room temperature for ideal spreading consistency
  • Sweetened condensed milk: Creates silky smooth filling texture
  • Fresh garlic: Minced finely for even flavor distribution
  • Butter: Unsalted variety allows better seasoning control
  • Italian parsley: Adds fresh herbal notes and color
  • Eggs: Room temperature for smooth custard blend
  • Parmesan: Freshly grated for optimal melting
  • Paprika: Sweet or smoked adds subtle warmth
  • Sea salt: Fine grain balances sweet and savory elements

Essential Techniques

Preparing the Rolls:
Use serrated knife for clean cuts while keeping base intact. Make uniform slices for even filling.
Making the Filling:
Beat cream cheese until silky before incorporating condensed milk. Mix gently to maintain texture.
Creating Custard:
Blend ingredients in sequence, ensuring garlic distributes evenly. Whisk to smooth consistency.
Assembly:
Coat buns carefully to allow excess drip. Space evenly for proper browning.
Fluffy cream cheese garlic buns with a buttery, garlicky glaze. Pin it
Fluffy cream cheese garlic buns with a buttery, garlicky glaze. | pinchofyummy.com

A traditional Korean baking secret is adding a tiny sprinkle of sugar to the garlic mixture for perfect browning.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the buns warm to showcase the melted cream cheese filling. Present on a wooden board or serving plate, garnished with fresh parsley and a light drizzle of garlic butter. The exterior should have an appetizing golden sheen.

Storage Guidelines

Cool buns completely before storing in airtight containers. Refrigerate up to three days. Reheat in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture quality.

Recipe Variations

Experiment with additions like gochugaru for heat, fresh herbs in the custard, or caramelized onions in the filling. Try bacon crumbles on top or truffle oil for luxury.

Sweet and savory Korean garlic buns with rich cream cheese filling. Pin it
Sweet and savory Korean garlic buns with rich cream cheese filling. | pinchofyummy.com

This fusion of Korean and Western baking traditions creates an exceptional treat suitable for any meal. The combination of tender bread, creamy filling and aromatic garlic makes these buns an irresistible addition to casual gatherings or elegant brunches.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I get these ready early?
Yeah, you can prepare them and assemble everything in advance. Just bake them fresh when you’re ready to serve.
→ Why leave the rolls out to dry?
Drying helps the rolls soak up the garlic butter custard better without turning soggy.
→ Are regular dinner rolls okay to use?
Sure, but softer options like Hawaiian rolls or brioche work best for that sweet and savory balance.
→ How should leftovers be kept?
Pop them into a sealed container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm them up a bit before eating.
→ Why cut the rolls multiple times?
The extra cuts allow for more filling and also let the rolls absorb the garlicky sauce better.

Amazing Korean Cream Cheese Buns

Make these flavorful Korean buns. They’re packed with sweet cream cheese and coated in a garlicky butter custard for a mouthwatering twist on bread.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Homemade Bread

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Korean Fusion

Yield: 16 Servings (16 rolls)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the Base

01 16 original sweet rolls (like King's Hawaiian), left out at room temp for two hours to dry

→ For Cream Cheese Filling

02 8 oz (226g) of softened cream cheese
03 2-3 tablespoons of condensed milk (sweetened)
04 A small pinch of salt

→ For Garlic Butter Custard

05 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
06 Half a cup (113g) of butter, melted
07 1 egg
08 A quarter-cup of milk
09 2 tablespoons of condensed milk (sweetened)
10 2-3 tablespoons of garlic (chopped fine or minced)
11 Half a teaspoon of paprika
12 Half a teaspoon of salt

→ For Topping

13 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350°F. Set up a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Slice each roll into 8 sections but leave the base whole.

Step 02

Mix the condensed milk, cream cheese, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Scoop the mix into a piping bag, then squeeze it into the roll sections.

Step 03

Stir together the melted butter, egg, parsley, garlic, milk, paprika, sweetened condensed milk, and salt in one bowl.

Step 04

Quickly dunk each stuffed roll in the garlic butter mixture, one side at a time (don’t leave it in too long). Arrange the rolls on your lined baking sheet, brush them with the leftover mix, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Step 05

Pop the rolls in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or so until the tops are golden brown. Serve right away while warm.

Notes

  1. Instead of Hawaiian rolls, you can use soft brioche sliders.
  2. Tastes best when served fresh from the oven and warm.
  3. Letting the rolls dry out beforehand makes them soak up more flavor.

Tools You'll Need

  • Cookie sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • A knife with a serrated edge
  • A piping bag

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (milk, butter, cream cheese, parmesan)
  • Eggs
  • Gluten (rolls)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~