These Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are an irresistible combination of sweet and savory flavors. Soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls stuffed with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese filling, soaked in a rich garlic butter custard, and topped with parmesan cheese, baked to golden perfection—what’s not to love? Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish, these buns bring a deliciously unique flavor profile that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
Perfect Blend of Sweet and Savory: The combination of sweetened cream cheese and garlicky butter custard creates a perfectly balanced flavor.
-
Rich and Flavorful: With the garlic butter custard soaking into the rolls and a generous parmesan topping, these buns are incredibly flavorful.
-
Easy to Make: Though it sounds fancy, the recipe is relatively simple and quick to prepare, especially using pre-made Hawaiian rolls.
-
Perfect for Sharing: With 16 buns, it’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
For the Base:
-
16 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (ideally dried out at room temperature for 2 hours)
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
-
8 oz (226g) cream cheese, room temperature
-
2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (to taste)
-
Pinch of salt
For the Garlic Butter Custard:
-
½ cup (113g) butter, melted
-
1 large egg
-
¼ cup milk
-
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
-
2-3 tablespoons chopped or minced garlic
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
-
½ teaspoon paprika
For the Topping:
-
2 tablespoons grated or shredded parmesan cheese
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Rolls
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Cut the rolls: Using a sharp serrated knife, make 4 cuts in each roll, about 75% of the way down, dividing each roll into 8 equal sections that remain connected at the bottom. If this seems too challenging, you can make just 2 cuts to create 4 sections per roll.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
-
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and well-incorporated.
-
Transfer the mixture to a piping bag (or use a plastic bag with the tip cut off) and pipe the cream cheese filling into each opening of the rolls, distributing it evenly among the sections.
Step 3: Prepare the Garlic Butter Custard
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, milk, sweetened condensed milk, garlic, salt, parsley, and paprika until well combined.
Step 4: Dip the Rolls
-
Dip the rolls: Carefully dip each filled roll into the garlic butter custard for 1-2 seconds on each side, ensuring they are well-coated but not soggy. Place the dipped rolls onto the lined baking sheet.
-
Brush the garlic: Scoop up any leftover garlic from the custard bowl and brush it onto the tops of the rolls for extra flavor.
Step 5: Add the Parmesan Topping
-
Sprinkle the parmesan: Evenly sprinkle the grated or shredded parmesan cheese over the tops of all the rolls.
Step 6: Bake
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the rolls turn golden brown on top and the cheese is melted.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
-
Serve warm: These buns are best served while still warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Tips and Tricks for Success
-
Dry the rolls: Allowing the rolls to dry out slightly helps them absorb the garlic butter custard without becoming too soggy. Leaving them at room temperature for about 2 hours works great!
-
Flavor variations: For a slight twist, you can add a pinch of chili flakes to the custard for a spicy kick or swap the parsley with fresh basil for a more Italian flavor.
-
Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature: This will ensure it mixes easily and smoothly with the condensed milk, making the filling easier to pipe into the rolls.
How to Store
-
At room temperature: Store leftover buns in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven for a few seconds to refresh them.
-
Freezing: These buns freeze well! After baking, let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will keep for up to 2-3 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
FAQs
Can I make the rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the rolls up to the point of baking, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them overnight. Just bake them the next day, and you’ll have fresh rolls in no time!
Can I use another type of bread for this recipe?
While Hawaiian rolls are ideal for their sweetness and softness, you can also use other soft rolls or dinner rolls if you prefer. Just make sure they are soft enough to absorb the garlic butter custard.
Can I make the cream cheese filling without sweetened condensed milk?
Sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness and richness to the filling, but you can substitute it with regular sugar or powdered sugar to taste. The filling might be slightly less creamy, but it will still work.
Can I make these buns savory instead of sweet?
Yes! For a more savory option, you can omit the sweetened condensed milk in the filling and custard, and instead add some grated cheese to the cream cheese filling for a cheesy garlic bread version.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of minced garlic?
Yes! You can use fresh garlic, but make sure to mince it finely or use a garlic press to get a smooth custard. The garlic flavor will be more intense with fresh garlic, so adjust the amount to taste.
Conclusion
These Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory, with soft, pillowy rolls filled with creamy, sweetened cream cheese and dipped in a rich, garlicky butter custard. Topped with parmesan and baked to golden perfection, these buns are a delightful treat that will satisfy your cravings for both sweet and savory. Serve them warm for the ultimate flavor experience that everyone will love!
Print
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 Servings (16 buns)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These sweet rolls are stuffed with sweetened cream cheese, soaked in a rich garlic butter custard, and baked until golden, creating an irresistible sweet-savory flavor combination.
Ingredients
For the Base:
16 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, ideally dried out at room temperature for 2 hours
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
8 oz (226g) cream cheese, room temperature
2–3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk, to taste
Pinch of salt
For the Garlic Butter Custard:
1/2 cup (113g) butter, melted
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
2–3 tablespoons chopped or minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the Topping:
2 tablespoons grated or shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Rolls:
Using a sharp serrated knife, make 4 cuts in each roll, about 75% of the way down, dividing each roll into 8 equal sections that are still connected at the bottom. If this feels challenging, you can make just 2 cuts, creating 4 sections per roll instead.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well incorporated. Transfer this mixture to a piping bag (or use a plastic bag with a corner cut off).
Pipe the Cream Cheese Filling:
Pipe the cream cheese filling into each opening of the rolls, distributing it evenly among all the cuts you’ve made.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Custard:
In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, milk, sweetened condensed milk, minced garlic, salt, chopped parsley, and paprika until well combined.
Dip the Rolls into Custard:
Carefully dip each filled roll into the garlic butter mixture for 1-2 seconds per side, ensuring they are coated but not soggy. Place the dipped rolls onto the lined baking sheet.
Top with Garlic and Cheese:
Scoop up any leftover pieces of garlic from the bottom of the custard bowl and brush them onto the tops of the rolls.
Sprinkle the grated or shredded parmesan cheese evenly over the tops of all the rolls.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until the rolls turn golden brown on top.
Serve:
Serve the rolls while they’re still warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
These buns are a delicious blend of sweet, salty, and garlicky flavors, combining the richness of cream cheese and savory garlic butter.
Allowing the rolls to dry out slightly helps them absorb the custard without becoming too soggy.
The sweet cream cheese filling is the perfect contrast to the savory garlic butter coating.
Tools You’ll Need:
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Sharp serrated knife
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Piping bag (or plastic bag with a corner cut off)
Pastry brush (optional for adding garlic)
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Freshly Baked Breads
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
