These Korean Cream Cheese & Garlic Buns are the perfect combination of soft, fluffy bread filled with a creamy cheese filling and topped with a savory garlic butter mixture. Baked to golden perfection, these buns are deliciously indulgent and ideal for any occasion. Whether served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, these buns will surely be a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and fluffy texture: The dough is light, airy, and pillowy, making these buns irresistible.
- Savory cream cheese filling: The rich cream cheese mixed with mozzarella and garlic powder creates a creamy, cheesy surprise inside each bun.
- Crispy garlic butter topping: The garlic butter mixture gives these buns an extra savory kick with a hint of Parmesan and fresh parsley.
- Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, snack, or alongside a meal for a savory treat.
- Comforting: Warm, cheesy, and garlicky—these buns are the ultimate comfort food.
- Homemade goodness: With simple ingredients, you can bake these buns fresh and enjoy the delightful aroma as they bake.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
directions
- Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, warm water, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the filling: While the dough is rising, mix the softened cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, sugar, and garlic powder in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Shape the buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it slightly. Spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each dough portion and pinch the edges to seal it. Place the filled buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Prepare the garlic butter topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the buns: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the garlic butter mixture over the tops of each bun and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown.
- Serve: Let the buns cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these savory, cheesy buns fresh out of the oven!
Servings and timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Servings: 8 buns
- Calories: Approximately 250 kcal per bun
Variations
- Add more cheese: Add more mozzarella or other cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or parmesan to the filling for an extra cheesy treat.
- Spicy kick: Add a small amount of red pepper flakes or chili powder to the garlic butter topping for some heat.
- Herb variations: Use fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano in the dough or garlic butter for a fragrant twist.
- Sweet version: Omit the garlic powder and add a bit of cinnamon or sugar to the dough and filling for a sweet version of the buns.
- Meat filling: Add cooked bacon or sausage to the cheese filling for a heartier version.
- Mini buns: For bite-sized versions, divide the dough into smaller portions and create mini buns.
storage/reheating
Storage:
Store leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Freezing:
These buns freeze well! Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
Reheating:
To reheat, place the buns in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness. You can also reheat them in a microwave, but they may lose some of their crispiness.
FAQs
Can I make these buns without the garlic topping?
Yes, you can skip the garlic butter topping if you prefer. The buns will still be delicious with just the creamy filling inside.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Just allow it to come to room temperature before shaping the buns.
Can I use other types of cheese for the filling?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, or cheddar for a different flavor profile.
How do I ensure the buns are fluffy?
Be sure to knead the dough well to develop the gluten and allow enough time for it to rise. The longer it rises, the fluffier the buns will be.
Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Absolutely! You can add finely chopped spinach, roasted bell peppers, or mushrooms to the filling for added flavor and texture.
Can I use a bread machine to make the dough?
Yes, you can use a bread machine for the dough. Simply add the ingredients according to your bread machine’s instructions and let it knead and rise for you.
Conclusion
Korean Cream Cheese & Garlic Buns are a deliciously savory treat with a soft, fluffy texture and a rich, cheesy filling. The garlic butter topping adds the perfect finishing touch, making these buns an irresistible snack or side dish. Whether served at a gathering, as a snack, or alongside a meal, these buns will undoubtedly become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
Korean Cream Cheese & Garlic Buns
These soft, fluffy Korean cream cheese and garlic buns are filled with a rich and savory cream cheese filling, topped with a crispy garlic butter mixture, and baked to golden perfection for a delicious treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 buns 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- For the filling:
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, warm water, melted butter, and egg, and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the filling: While the dough is rising, mix the softened cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, sugar, and garlic powder in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Shape the buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it slightly. Spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each dough portion and pinch the edges to seal it. Place the filled buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Prepare the garlic butter topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the buns: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the garlic butter mixture over the tops of each bun and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown.
- Serve: Let the buns cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these savory, cheesy buns fresh out of the oven!
Notes
- For a stronger garlic flavor, add more minced garlic to the butter mixture or sprinkle garlic powder on top of the buns before baking.
- You can substitute the mozzarella with any cheese of your choice, like cheddar or provolone, for a different flavor profile.
- These buns are best served warm, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg