Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns Recipe
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are a delightful fusion of soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls filled with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture and bathed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. Topped with parmesan and baked to golden perfection, these buns offer a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors, ideal for sharing as a party appetizer or comforting snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Rolls and Filling
- 16 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (ideally dried out at room temperature for 2 hours)
- 8 oz (226g) room temperature cream cheese
- 2-3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (to taste)
- Pinch of salt
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 1/2 cup (113g) melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 2-3 tbsp chopped or minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Topping
- 2 tbsp grated or shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) using the conventional setting. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Score the Rolls: Using a sharp serrated knife, make 4 cuts into each roll, cutting about 75% down but not completely through, dividing each roll into 8 equal sections. Alternatively, if this is challenging, just make 2 cuts to create 4 sections per roll.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, mix the room temperature cream cheese, 2-3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined. Transfer this mixture to a piping bag and cut a small hole at the tip.
- Fill the Rolls: Pipe the cream cheese filling evenly into the cuts of each roll, ensuring the cream cheese fills the sections well.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, milk, 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, chopped garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, chopped parsley, and paprika until fully blended.
- Dip Rolls in Garlic Butter: Carefully dip each filled roll into the garlic butter mixture for 1-2 seconds per side, soaking them lightly. Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Using a spoon or brush, lift any remaining garlic from the bottom of the bowl and brush it over the tops of the rolls.
- Add Parmesan Topping: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the rolls to add a savory crust upon baking.
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and fragrant.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the buns while they’re still warm for best taste and texture. Enjoy your Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns!
Notes
- Drying out the sweet rolls for 2 hours before use helps them absorb the cream cheese filling better without becoming soggy.
- If you prefer less sweetness, adjust the amount of sweetened condensed milk accordingly in both the cream cheese mixture and garlic butter sauce.
- Fresh garlic is recommended for a robust flavor, but you can use garlic powder in a pinch.
- These buns are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be reheated gently before serving.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the parmesan cheese used is vegetarian-friendly.
