Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Recipe

The Ultimate Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Recipe for Bread Lovers

Garlic cream cheese rolls emerge as a tantalizing treasure in the world of savory baked delights.

These soft, pillowy wonders promise a burst of rich, aromatic flavors that dance across your palate.

Subtle hints of pungent garlic meld seamlessly with creamy, velvety cheese, creating an irresistible combination that beckons food lovers.

The delicate dough revamps into a golden-brown canvas, promising a sensory experience that goes beyond ordinary bread.

Warm and inviting, these rolls carry the comfort of home-style cooking with a gourmet twist.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will transport you to culinary bliss.

Your taste buds are in for an unforgettable journey of comfort and indulgence.

Must-Have Ingredients for Garlic Cheese Rolls

Main Dough Ingredients:
  • Milk: Fresh whole milk provides moisture and helps activate the yeast for soft, tender rolls.
  • Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the dough.
  • Yeast: Essential for bread rising, creating light and fluffy texture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness to the dough.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour creates the base structure of the rolls.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender, soft crumb.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Smooth base for the filling, providing creamy texture.
  • Chives: Fresh herb that adds mild onion-like flavor and green color.
  • Garlic: Adds bold, aromatic flavor to the cream cheese mixture.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Provides sharp, melty cheese element to the rolls.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Butter: Melted butter creates a rich, glossy finish on the rolls.
  • Garlic: Additional fresh garlic for extra flavor intensity.
  • Chives: Adds fresh herbal notes to the topping.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, slightly nutty finish to the rolls.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Soft, Fluffy Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Warm milk in microwave for 30 seconds. Add sugar and sprinkle yeast over milk. Whisk and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Prepare Dough Base

In stand mixer with dough hook, combine:
  • Remaining sugar
  • Flour
  • Salt

Gradually add milk mixture. Add butter pieces one at a time, blending between each addition.

Step 3: Knead and Rise

Knead dough on medium speed for 1 minute, then increase to medium-high. Continue kneading until soft, about 5 minutes. Add flour if needed.

Brush bowl with melted butter. Place dough in bowl, brush top with butter. Cover and let rise in warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 4: Create Cheese Filling

In mixing bowl, blend:
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Diced chives
  • Minced garlic

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Roll dough into 10×15 inch rectangle. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese.

Roll dough tightly from long edge. Cut into 12 equal rolls.

Step 6: Final Rise

Place rolls in greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise in warm area until doubled.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake rolls uncovered for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Step 8: Add Finishing Touch

Create topping by mixing:
  • Melted butter
  • Minced garlic
  • Diced chives
  • Salt

Brush warm rolls with topping. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve rolls warm, straight from the oven.

Pro Tips for Cheesy, Garlicky Goodness

  • Master Yeast Activation: Ensure milk is lukewarm (not hot) to activate yeast perfectly without killing the living organisms.
  • Create Silky Dough: Knead patiently until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, developing gluten for soft, tender rolls.
  • Control Dough Rising: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like inside an unheated oven with the light on for consistent rising.
  • Achieve Perfect Rolling: Use a sharp knife and gentle sawing motion when cutting rolls to maintain their shape and prevent squishing.
  • Enhance Flavor Layers: Let the cream cheese mixture come to room temperature for easier spreading and more even distribution across the dough.

Best Way to Store and Refresh Rolls

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Reheating Oven Method: Warm rolls at 325°F for 8-10 minutes, covering loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying and preserve their soft texture.
  • Microwave Option: Reheat individual rolls for 15-20 seconds on medium power, checking to avoid overheating and maintaining their delicious garlic cream cheese flavor.

Tasty Add-Ons for Cheese Rolls

  • Savor Rustic Red Wine Pairing: A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot complements the rich, creamy garlic cheese flavors, cutting through the buttery texture with its bold tannins and enhancing the savory roll experience.
  • Craft a Fresh Herbal Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rolls' richness, providing a crisp, zesty contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.
  • Elevate with Charcuterie Side: Serve alongside a selection of cured meats like prosciutto or salami, which add a salty, protein-rich element that harmonizes with the garlic cream cheese rolls' intense flavor profile.
  • Refresh with Crisp Beverage: Pair with a cold, hoppy IPA or a crisp pilsner that cuts through the richness and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the dense, cheesy texture of the rolls.

Twists for a Unique Cheese Roll Experience

  • Herbal Infusion Rolls: Replace chives with fresh rosemary and thyme, adding a woodsy Mediterranean flavor profile to the cream cheese filling.
  • Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Rolls: Incorporate diced jalapeños into the cream cheese mixture and sprinkle red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat.
  • Mediterranean Olive Rolls: Mix chopped kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese into the cream cheese filling, creating a tangy and savory variation.
  • Bacon Cheddar Rolls: Fold crispy chopped bacon bits into the cream cheese mixture and top with extra sharp cheddar for a rich, smoky version.

Why Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Win Hearts

  • Unlock Irresistible Flavor Fusion: These rolls blend creamy cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and zesty garlic into a mouthwatering combination that dances across your taste buds with every bite.
  • Conquer Bakery-Style Comfort at Home: Master professional-level pastry techniques without intimidation, creating bakery-quality rolls in your own kitchen with simple steps and minimal professional baking experience required.
  • Transform Ordinary Ingredients into Extraordinary Meal: Elevate basic pantry staples like flour, cheese, and butter into a showstopping side dish or appetizer that will impress family and friends with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
  • Enjoy Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Goodness: Perfect for weekend brunches, potlucks, game day gatherings, or as a savory companion to soups and salads, these rolls guarantee smiles and second helpings from everyone at the table.
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Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Recipe

Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Recipe


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4.8 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Garlic cream cheese rolls bring comfort and indulgence to kitchen tables everywhere. Pillowy dough embraces rich cream cheese and aromatic garlic, promising a delightful experience you’ll savor with each warm, inviting bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients:

  • 2.75 cups (344 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ⅔ cup (163 g) whole milk, warmed
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Filling Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups (226 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 teaspoons chives, diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced

Topping Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chives, diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm milk, a portion of sugar, and yeast in a medium bowl. Allow the mixture to become frothy and develop for approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Incorporate eggs into the yeast mixture, whisking until thoroughly blended.
  3. Combine remaining sugar, flour, and salt in a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook.
  4. Gradually integrate the milk and egg mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing continuously.
  5. Add butter pieces incrementally, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next.
  6. Knead the dough at medium speed, then increase to medium-high, developing a soft, elastic texture. Adjust flour if the dough appears too sticky.
  7. Transfer the dough to a butter-brushed bowl, coating the surface with melted butter. Cover and allow to rise in a warm environment until volume doubles.
  8. Deflate the risen dough and roll into a rectangular shape on a floured surface.
  9. Blend cream cheese with minced garlic and chives until smooth and creamy.
  10. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the rolled dough, ensuring complete coverage.
  11. Distribute shredded cheddar cheese over the cream cheese layer.
  12. Tightly roll the dough from the long edge, creating a compact log.
  13. Slice the log into 12 uniform rolls using a sharp knife.
  14. Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish, allowing space for expansion.
  15. Permit rolls to rise again until they nearly double in size.
  16. Preheat the oven to 350°F while rolls are proofing.
  17. Bake uncovered until golden brown, approximately 25-30 minutes.
  18. Prepare a garlic-herb butter by combining melted butter, minced garlic, chives, and salt.
  19. Brush the warm rolls with the flavored butter and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
  20. Serve immediately while warm and aromatic.

Notes

  • Activate yeast carefully by using warm (not hot) milk to ensure proper rising and soft, fluffy texture.
  • Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a smooth, elastic consistency that prevents dense rolls.
  • Allow sufficient rising time in a warm, draft-free space to help dough double in volume and achieve light, airy results.
  • Spread filling evenly across rolled dough to guarantee consistent flavor in every delectable bite.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, easier mixing without lumps in the filling.
  • Brush warm rolls immediately after baking to lock in moisture and enhance the garlic-herb flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 302
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 422 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 73 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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