The Story Behind My Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Obsession

As a passionate home cook, I often find myself engrossed in culinary television shows, seeking fresh inspiration and marveling at the artistry of chefs. It was during one of these deep dives into international street food that I first encountered the magic of Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread. The segment, featuring bustling Korean markets and enthusiastic vendors, instantly captured my imagination. While the exact program or location now escapes me (a common occurrence when you watch as many cooking shows as I do!), the sheer joy and deliciousness emanating from the screen were utterly contagious. I knew, right then and there, that I had to try baking and tasting this unique bread myself.

This isn’t your average garlic bread. Forget the purely savory versions; this Korean specialty is a delightful paradox. It begins with a soft, slightly sweet white bun, which is then generously piped with a rich, sweet cream cheese filling. But the indulgence doesn’t stop there. Each bun is then lovingly dipped into a thick, aromatic garlic butter custard, which adds an incredible depth of savory flavor. The buns are baked not once, but twice, to achieve their perfect texture and golden hue. This sweet-and-savory combination might sound unconventional, but trust me when I say the results are nothing short of spectacular. The creamy, subtly sweet cheese, the robust garlic butter, and the tender bun all meld together in a super exciting and utterly delicious symphony of flavors. After several attempts and careful adjustments, I’ve finally perfected this recipe, and I’m thrilled to share it with you!

Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Garlic Bread Adventure

To embark on your journey to create this magnificent Korean Garlic Bread, you’ll need a selection of quality ingredients. The precise quantities are detailed in the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this page, but let’s dive into some key components and why they matter:

• Yeast: This recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of instant yeast. Instant yeast is fantastic because it doesn’t require prior proofing and can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients. If you prefer to use fresh yeast, you’ll need approximately ¼ ounce (7 grams). For dry active yeast, use 1 teaspoon, but remember that both fresh and dry active yeast need to be dissolved in lukewarm water first (often with a pinch of sugar) and allowed to bloom for 5-10 minutes until frothy, ensuring they are active before adding them to your dough. This step is crucial for a successful rise!
• Flour: All-purpose flour is the go-to choice for these buns, yielding a wonderfully soft and tender crumb. While you can experiment with other flours like whole wheat flour, bread flour, or spelt flour, be aware that these may absorb liquids differently. If you opt for an alternative, you’ll likely need to adjust the amount of water, potentially adding 4 to 5 tablespoons extra, to achieve the desired dough consistency. Bread flour will give a chewier texture, while whole wheat or spelt will result in a denser bun.
• Cream Cheese: For the sweet and tangy filling, use natural, full-fat cream cheese. It’s absolutely essential that the cream cheese is at room temperature before you start mixing. This ensures it’s soft and pliable, allowing it to blend smoothly with the sugar to create a lump-free, creamy mixture that’s easy to pipe into the buns. Avoid low-fat versions, as they can result in a watery filling.
• Butter: You’ll need two sticks of butter for the rich garlic butter custard. High-quality unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the salt content. The butter, along with milk and eggs, creates a luxurious and thick coating that makes these buns incredibly moist and flavorful.
• Garlic: Freshly squeezed garlic cloves are key to the authentic savory punch in the garlic butter. While garlic powder can be a substitute in a pinch, fresh garlic offers a much more vibrant and aromatic flavor that truly elevates the dish.
• Sugar: Sugar plays a dual role, providing subtle sweetness to the bun dough and balancing the tanginess of the cream cheese filling. It also contributes to the golden-brown crust during baking.
• Milk: Used in the garlic butter custard, milk helps create a smooth, emulsified sauce that coats the buns beautifully.
• Eggs: Eggs are used both for an egg wash on the buns for a golden crust and as an emulsifier in the garlic butter custard, giving it a rich, custardy texture and preventing separation.
• Salt: Essential for flavor balance in the dough and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt at the end enhances both the flavor and visual appeal.
• Dried Parsley: Adds a touch of herbaceous freshness and a lovely visual pop to the finished bread.

How to Make This Korean Bread with Cheese and Garlic Butter

Creating these delicious Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns is a rewarding process. Below, you’ll find a detailed step-by-step guide, complete with essential tips to ensure your baking success. For precise ingredient amounts and an easily printable version, please refer to the recipe card at the very end of this article.

1. Making the Dough: The foundation of perfect Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is a soft, elastic dough. Begin by combining your lukewarm water, instant yeast, all-purpose flour, and sugar in a large bowl. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until a cohesive dough forms. Then, sprinkle in the salt and continue to knead the dough until it is smooth, soft, and elastic. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes with a stand mixer equipped with a dough hook, or longer if kneading by hand. To check if your dough is perfectly kneaded, perform the “windowpane test.” Take a small ball of dough and gently stretch it between your fingers. If you can stretch it thin enough to see light through it without it tearing, your dough is ready. If it tears easily, continue kneading for another couple of minutes. Once kneaded, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turn it once to coat, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in volume, usually about 1 hour.
2. Preparing the Cream Cheese Mixture: While your dough is rising, you can prepare the delightful cream cheese filling. In a separate bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese with the sugar. Mix them together until the sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and lump-free. The goal is a creamy, spreadable consistency. Transfer this mixture into a piping bag. You don’t necessarily need a fancy piping tip; simply snip a small tip off the bottom of the bag when you’re ready to use it. Store the piping bag at room temperature until it’s time to fill the buns, as this will keep the mixture soft and easy to pipe.
3. Forming the Bread: Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth, round bun. Arrange these buns on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, allowing ample space between them. Cover the tray loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the buns rise for a second time in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until visibly puffy.
4. First Baking Round: Preheat your oven as specified in the recipe card. Before placing the buns in the oven, brush the tops with a beaten egg wash. This will help them achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and a slightly glossy finish. Bake the buns for the first time as directed. This initial bake sets the structure of the buns and gives them a tender crumb before the next step.
5. Applying the Cream Cheese Filling: Once the buns are out of the oven, let them cool down for about 15 minutes. They will be warm but cool enough to handle without burning your hands. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut each bun into 8 equal wedges, making crosswise incisions. It’s crucial not to cut all the way through the bottom; leave about a ⅓ inch base intact so the bun still holds together like a flower. Now, take your piping bag filled with cream cheese mixture and pipe a generous amount into the cuts between each wedge. Aim to use about half of your cream cheese filling in this initial stage.
6. Crafting the Garlic Butter Custard: This is where the magic truly happens! To create the rich garlic butter custard, set up a bain-marie: place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water). In this bowl, melt the butter. Once melted, add the milk, sugar, squeezed garlic, dried parsley, and two beaten eggs. Continuously whisk the mixture as it heats. The goal is to warm the butter and emulsify the ingredients into a smooth, thick custard. Whisking constantly prevents the butter from separating and the eggs from scrambling. Remove the bowl from the heat once it reaches a smooth, custardy consistency, and keep it warm.
7. Dip, Dip, Dip: Now for the fun part! Take each cream cheese-filled bun and gently dip it into the warm garlic butter custard. Make sure to thoroughly coat all sides and the cut surfaces, allowing the rich butter to soak into every crevice. A little twisting and turning of the bun in the butter will help ensure full coverage. Hold the bun over the bowl for a few seconds to let any excess butter drip off. Place the dipped buns back on your parchment-lined baking sheet. Once all buns are dipped, take the remaining cream cheese filling and pipe more into the spaces within each bun, creating a luxurious overflow.
8. Final Bake and Finishing Touches: Before the final bake, sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt over each bun. This not only enhances the savory flavors but also adds a lovely textural contrast. Slide the baking tray back into the preheated oven and bake the buns for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until they are deliciously golden, crispy on the outside, and warmed through. The double bake truly develops their incredible texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions!

Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:

• Snack & Party Appetizer: This bread is an absolute showstopper as a snack or appetizer at parties. Its unique individual wedges make it easy for anyone to break off a piece and enjoy. Arrange them on a platter for an impressive presentation.
• Perfect Side Dish: Pair these savory-sweet buns with a warm, comforting bowl of soup for a truly satisfying meal. They are an excellent accompaniment to hearty stews or creamy pureed soups. Consider serving them alongside a vibrant carrot curry soup or a rich pumpkin soup with an Indian twist for a fusion culinary experience.
• Brunch Favorite: The sweet and savory notes make it a fantastic addition to any brunch spread.
• Unique Breakfast Treat: Enjoy it lightly warmed with your morning coffee for an indulgent start to the day.

Tips for Success & Variations

To ensure your Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread turns out perfect every time, consider these expert tips and potential variations:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth cream cheese filling and an emulsified garlic butter custard.
• Don’t Over-knead or Under-knead: Pay attention to the dough’s elasticity. The “windowpane test” described in the instructions is your best friend here. Over-kneading can make the dough tough, while under-kneading won’t develop enough gluten for a soft bun.
• Warm Rising Environment: Yeast loves warmth. If your kitchen is cold, find a warm spot for your dough to rise. A slightly warm oven (turned off, with just the light on) or a sunny spot can work wonders.
• Piping Bag Alternative: If you don’t have a piping bag, a sturdy zip-top bag with a corner snipped off will work just as well for the cream cheese filling.
• Garlic Intensity: For a milder garlic flavor, reduce the number of cloves. For an extra kick, add a fifth clove or a touch of garlic powder to the butter.
• Herb Variations: While dried parsley is traditional, feel free to experiment with fresh chopped parsley, chives, or even a touch of dried oregano in your garlic butter for a different aromatic profile.
• Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can slightly reduce the sugar in both the bun dough and the cream cheese filling, though the sweet-savory balance is what makes this bread so unique.
• Stand Mixer vs. Hand Kneading: A stand mixer with a dough hook makes kneading incredibly easy. If kneading by hand, be prepared for a good arm workout and ensure you knead for long enough to achieve a smooth, elastic dough.
• Store-Bought Buns Shortcut: If time is of the essence, you can use high-quality store-bought buns. Soft white buns, milk buns, soft dinner rolls, or brioche rolls are excellent choices. Start directly from the step where you cut the bread rolls.

Storage & Reheating

Proper storage ensures your delicious Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread remains fresh and enjoyable:

• Refrigerator: Allow the buns to cool completely to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, place the cooled buns in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: To bring your stored buns back to life, preheat your oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Place the buns on a baking sheet and warm them for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and the crust is slightly crispy again. This method helps restore their freshly baked texture and flavor.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread

Andréa

More Delicious Breads and Buns to Try

If you’ve fallen in love with the art of bread making, or simply enjoy a fantastic bun, here are some other recipes you might enjoy exploring: