Pillowy Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Recipe

Heavenly Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Recipe for Bread Lovers

Golden, pillowy pastries bursting with a rich garlic cream cheese filling transport you straight to comfort food heaven.

These delectable rolls showcase a perfect blend of savory and creamy elements that dance on your palate.

Soft dough envelops a luxurious mixture of tangy cream cheese and robust garlic, creating an irresistible appetizer or snack.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of flavors that will make mouths water and stomachs rumble with anticipation.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to craft these crowd-pleasing rolls that disappear faster than you can say “seconds.” Weekend baking just got a whole lot more exciting with this mouthwatering recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Grab your apron and let’s turn this culinary adventure into a delicious reality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 247 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls

For The Dough Base:
  • Milk: Activates yeast and provides moisture, choose whole milk for richer texture.
  • Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness, use granulated white sugar.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Helps dough rise and creates soft texture, ensure freshness by checking expiration date.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness, select room temperature eggs for better incorporation.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, opt for unbleached flour for best results.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast activity, use fine table salt.
For Filling And Flavor Enhancers:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates creamy base for filling, select full-fat variety for maximum flavor.
  • Chives: Adds fresh herbal notes, choose bright green, crisp chives.
  • Garlic: Provides aromatic depth, use fresh minced garlic for most intense flavor.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Delivers sharp, tangy element, select sharp or extra-sharp for robust taste.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty finish, choose freshly grated for best melting.
For Topping And Finishing:
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create golden crust, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
  • Garlic: Reinforces aromatic profile, mince finely for even distribution.
  • Chives: Provides fresh garnish, snip just before using for brightest color.

Tools for Making Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls

  • Stand mixer: Essential for kneading dough efficiently and creating smooth texture.
  • Dough hook: Crucial attachment for mixing and developing gluten in the dough.
  • Baking dish (9×13-inch): Perfect for holding and baking all 12 rolls evenly.
  • Sharp knife: Needed to cleanly slice dough log into 12 uniform rolls.
  • Medium bowls: Great for mixing yeast, preparing filling, and letting dough rise.
  • Whisk: Helps blend milk, eggs, and yeast mixture smoothly.
  • Rolling pin: Used to roll out dough into perfect rectangular shape.
  • Pastry brush: Helps spread melted butter on dough and rolls.
  • Small bowl: Useful for preparing buttery topping at the end.

Rolling Garlic Cream Cheese Dough Perfectly

  • Dough Preparation

In a cozy kitchen, begin by gently warming milk and awakening yeast with a touch of sugar. Let the mixture bubble and bloom with life, creating a perfect foundation for soft, fluffy rolls.

  • Kneading Magic

Transform flour, eggs, and butter into a silky-smooth dough through patient mixing and gentle kneading. Allow the dough to rest and rise, transforming into a puffy cloud of potential deliciousness.

  • Flavor Fusion

Whip together cream cheese with garlic and chives, creating a creamy spread that will turn ordinary rolls into a taste sensation. The mixture should be smooth and inviting.

  • Rolling and Shaping

Stretch the dough into a wide canvas, lovingly spread the cream cheese mixture, and sprinkle with cheese. Roll carefully, creating a beautiful spiral of flavor.

  • Rising and Baking

Let the rolls cuddle together in a baking dish, rising to pillowy perfection. Bake until they turn a golden, appetizing brown that promises delectable texture and taste.

  • Final Touch

Drizzle with a garlic-herb butter that adds a final spark of flavor. Sprinkle with parmesan for a delightful crunch that elevates these rolls from simple to spectacular.

Cream Cheese Roll Tips & Tweaks

  • Adjust flour gradually to achieve a soft, tacky dough that doesn't stick to your hands but remains elastic and smooth.
  • Replace cheddar with gouda, swiss, or pepper jack to create exciting flavor variations that match your taste preferences.
  • Let dough rise in a slightly warm oven (turned off) with a pan of hot water to ensure consistent, quick rising during cold days.
  • Prepare rolls up to the point of second rising, then freeze unbaked. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake fresh whenever you want a warm, delicious treat.

Serve Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Warm

  • Cheesy Garlic Feast Companions
  • Crisp garden salad with tangy vinaigrette perfectly balances the rich, creamy rolls and cuts through their decadent flavor profile.
  • Wine and Cheese Pairing
  • Enjoy these savory rolls alongside a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc or a light pinot grigio, which complement the garlic and cheese wonderfully.
  • Breakfast Transformation
  • Transform these rolls into a morning delight by serving with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a fresh herb omelet for a weekend brunch sensation.
  • Fresh Herbal Accent
  • Sprinkle extra fresh chives or finely chopped parsley on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh note and enhance the existing herbal undertones.

Best Way to Store Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls

  • Smart Storage Solutions
  • Refrigerator Haven: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 4 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor profile.
  • Freezer Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen rolls stay delectable for 3 weeks, perfect for quick meal prep.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm rolls gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or reheat in a 325°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their fresh-baked warmth and softness.
  • Room Temperature Tip: Allow freshly baked rolls to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and maintain their ideal texture and taste.
Print
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Pillowy Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Recipe

Pillowy Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls


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4.6 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Homemade garlic cream cheese rolls combine savory flavors from European bakeries with creamy, herbed goodness. Warm, flaky pastries deliver comfort that delights home cooks seeking rich, satisfying bread experiences.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.75 cups (344 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ⅔ cup (163 g) whole milk, warmed
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups (226 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 5 tbsps granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsps butter, melted
  • 2 tsps active dry yeast
  • 2 tsps chives, diced
  • 2 tsps garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp chives, diced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Yeast Activation: Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl, allowing the mixture to become frothy and develop for 5 minutes.
  2. Dough Formation: Whisk eggs into the yeast mixture, then gradually incorporate the mixture into flour, salt, and remaining sugar using a stand mixer with a dough hook, adding butter pieces incrementally until a soft, elastic dough develops.
  3. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a buttered bowl, coat the surface, cover, and let rise in a warm environment until volume doubles.
  4. Filling Preparation: Blend cream cheese with minced garlic and chives until smooth and creamy.
  5. Roll Assembly: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly, and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface.
  6. Shaping: Tightly roll the dough from the long edge, creating a compact log, then slice into 12 uniform rolls.
  7. Second Rise: Place rolls in a greased baking dish, allowing space for expansion, and let rise until nearly doubled in size.
  8. Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls uncovered until golden brown, approximately 25-30 minutes.
  9. Finishing Touch: Prepare garlic-herb butter by combining melted butter, minced garlic, chives, and salt; brush warm rolls and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
  10. Serving: Serve immediately while warm and aromatic.

Notes

  • Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure milk is warm (110-115°F) to activate yeast without killing it; cold or hot temperatures can prevent proper fermentation.
  • Dough Consistency Check: Knead until dough becomes smooth and elastic, pulling away from mixer sides; sticky dough needs additional flour in small increments.
  • Rising Environment Matters: Place dough in draft-free, warm spot around 80-85°F for optimal rising; use oven with light on or near warm appliance.
  • Flavor Enhancement Technique: Allow rolls to cool slightly before adding garlic-herb butter to prevent butter from completely absorbing, maintaining a glossy, flavorful finish.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 247
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 340 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 66 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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