Korean-Style Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Korean-Style Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is soft, creamy, buttery, and full of garlic flavor.Bread rolls are sliced and generously filled with sweetened cream cheese.A rich mixture of butter, garlic, egg, and cream coats the bread.The bread is baked until golden, crisp, and wonderfully aromatic.Each bite combines tangy cream cheese with sweet and savory garlic butter.It is perfect as a snack, appetizer, brunch dish, or party treat.
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 6–8 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Bread
- 4–6 small round bread rolls or soft brioche buns
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Prepare the Cream Cheese
- Place the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl.Add the sugar, heavy cream, and optional vanilla extract.Mix until smooth, creamy, and free from lumps.
Transfer the Filling
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag.You can also use a food storage bag with a small corner carefully cut off.Set aside.
Slice the Bread
- Using a sharp knife, cut each bread roll into 6–8 wedges.Do not cut completely through the bottom.The bread should remain attached at the base, similar to a flower.
Fill the Bread
- Gently separate the bread sections.Pipe the cream cheese filling generously between the slices.Make sure some filling reaches the deeper sections of the bread.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, heavy cream, egg, sugar, chopped parsley, and salt.Whisk until thoroughly combined.
Dip or Spoon the Sauce
- Carefully dip each filled bread roll into the garlic butter mixture.Alternatively, use a spoon to pour the mixture generously over the bread.Make sure the sauce reaches between the cuts.
Arrange on the Baking Tray
- Place the prepared bread rolls onto the lined baking tray.Leave some space between each roll.
Add Extra Garlic Butter
- Spoon any remaining garlic butter mixture over the tops and between the slices.
Bake
- Bake for approximately 15–20 minutes.The bread should become golden brown and the cream cheese filling should be warm and creamy.
Watch Carefully
- Check the bread during the final few minutes of baking.If the tops begin browning too quickly, loosely cover them with foil.
Rest Briefly
- Remove the bread from the oven.Allow it to cool for approximately 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish
- Sprinkle with extra parsley, Parmesan cheese, or chili flakes if desired.
Serve
- Serve the Korean-Style Cream Cheese Garlic Bread warm for the best combination of crispy bread and creamy filling.
Notes
- Bread choice: Soft, round bread rolls work best for creating the traditional flower-like appearance.
- Cream cheese: Use softened cream cheese to create a smooth filling.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the strongest flavor.
- Sweetness: The slight sweetness is a characteristic feature of this Korean-style recipe.
- Egg: The egg helps create a rich, custard-like garlic butter coating.
- Filling: Pipe the cream cheese deeply between the bread sections.
- Baking: Avoid overbaking, as the bread can become dry.
- Serving: This recipe tastes best when served warm and freshly baked.