If you’re craving something that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and creamy all in one delicious bite, these Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are about to become your new obsession. Inspired by the viral sensation that’s taken over bakeries throughout Korea and beyond, these pillowy soft buns feature a luscious cream cheese filling surrounded by a buttery garlic exterior that caramelizes beautifully when baked.
What makes these buns special is how they transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary. The contrast between the slightly sweet dough, tangy cream cheese, and aromatic garlic butter creates a flavor experience that’s completely addictive. Whether served as a side to your favorite soup or enjoyed as a snack with coffee, these buns deliver pure comfort in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This
- No special equipment needed—just basic baking tools you already have in your kitchen
- Perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that appeals to everyone
- Impressive presentation that looks like it came from a professional bakery
- Versatile recipe that works as breakfast, side dish, or anytime snack
- Make-ahead friendly—prepare the dough the night before for fresh buns in the morning
Ingredients
- 16 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, ideally dried out at room temperature for 2 hours
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk, to taste
- Pinch of salt
- 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
- 2 tablespoons grated or shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a sharp serrated knife, make 4 cuts in each roll that go about 75% of the way down, dividing each roll into 8 equal sections that are still connected at the bottom. If this seems too challenging, you can make just 2 cuts, creating 4 sections per roll instead.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well incorporated. Transfer this mixture to a piping bag and cut a small opening at the tip.
- Pipe the cream cheese filling into each opening of the rolls, distributing it evenly among all the cuts you’ve made.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, milk, sweetened condensed milk, minced garlic, salt, chopped parsley, and paprika until well combined.
- Carefully dip each filled roll into the garlic butter mixture for 1-2 seconds per side, ensuring they get coated but don’t become soggy. Place the dipped rolls onto the lined baking sheet.
- 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 in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until the rolls turn golden brown on top.
- Serve the rolls while they’re still warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Tips & Variations
- Add 2 tablespoons of chopped chives or green onions to the cream cheese filling for extra flavor
- For a sweeter version, mix 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam into the cream cheese filling
- If you don’t have instant yeast, use active dry yeast but activate it in the warm milk first
- For a make-ahead option, prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator
- Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before baking for added texture and flavor
- For a spicy kick, add ½ teaspoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the garlic butter mixture
Serving Suggestions
These Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns make a wonderful accompaniment to a bowl of tomato soup or Korean army stew (budae jjigae) for a complete meal. The creamy, garlicky buns are perfect for sopping up broth or sauce.
For a delightful breakfast or brunch spread, serve these buns alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. They also pair beautifully with a cup of milky tea or coffee for an afternoon treat that will satisfy both sweet and savory cravings.
Notes
- Store leftover buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm
- The buns are done when they’re golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom
- For the best texture, be careful not to overmix or overknead the dough
FAQs
Can I use store-bought dough instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, you can use refrigerated biscuit dough as a shortcut. Simply flatten each biscuit, add filling, seal, and proceed with the garlic butter coating.
Can I freeze these buns?
Absolutely! Freeze baked and cooled buns in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best results.
Can I make these buns dairy-free?
You can substitute plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different from the original recipe.
Why did my cream cheese leak out during baking?
Make sure you’re properly sealing the dough around the filling. If the dough is too thin or not sealed well, the filling can escape during baking.
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