If you've ever walked past a bustling Korean bakery or peeked into a trendy korean dessert cafe, you’ve probably seen this golden, glossy, bun-like beauty beckoning from the display case. Korean Garlic Cream Cheese Bread with Mozzarella is one of those treats that perfectly balances savory, sweet, and cheesy goodness in every bite. Born from the vibrant world of korean street food recipes, this dish has exploded in popularity across Korean cafes and has made its way into kitchens around the globe. Think of it as a savory-sweet hybrid of garlic bread and cheesecake, all wrapped into one crusty-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside bun. Whether you’re into easy dinner recipes or scouting new sweet snacks recipes to impress your friends, this dish delivers on all fronts.
Korean Garlic Cream Cheese Bread with Mozzarella
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Korean
Mixing bowls One large for the garlic butter, one medium for the cream cheese mixture.
Piping bag For neatly filling the buns with the cream cheese mixture. A zip-top bag with the corner snipped off works as a good substitute.
Pastry Brush To evenly coat the buns with garlic butter.
Baking sheet Lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Oven Preheated and ready to go.
Serrated knife For slicing through the buns without crushing them.
For the bread base
- 6 soft dinner rolls or brioche buns slightly stale ones work best
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For the garlic butter sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic fresh is best
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or fresh, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the cream cheese filling
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk for a lighter version
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Take out your buns and let them come to room temperature if they’ve been refrigerated.
Mix the Garlic Butter
In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic, honey, condensed milk, mayonnaise, salt, and parsley. Stir well until everything is combined. Set aside and let it cool slightly.
This garlicky concoction is the soul of the dish — it’s rich, fragrant, and just a little sweet, which makes it so unique compared to your typical garlic bread.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, whip the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat until it’s smooth and pipeable. You can use an electric mixer to get a fluffy texture, or go old school with a fork and some elbow grease.
Cut the Buns
Using a serrated knife, slice each bun into six segments — like cutting a pie — but don’t slice all the way through. You want the base to hold the segments together.
Fill with Cream Cheese
Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag and fill each section of the bun generously. A good tip here: start from the center and pipe outwards to get a balanced bite every time. Some even add a bit of cream cheese in the very center of the bun for an extra surprise.
Add Mozzarella
Gently pull apart the bun sections and stuff shredded mozzarella in between. This step really turns the dish into a cheesy dream and is what sets it apart from more basic sweet dishes recipes.
Dip and Coat
Dip or brush the entire bun with the garlic butter sauce, making sure you get into all the crevices. Don’t be shy — this is what gives that glossy golden crust and unforgettable flavor.
Bake
Place the buns on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the mozzarella is melted. The cream cheese should be warm but not runny.
Serve
Let the buns cool for a few minutes — they’ll be molten inside! Serve warm with a drizzle of extra garlic butter if desired.
Pairings
Korean Garlic Cream Cheese Bread is indulgent on its own, but pairing it right can elevate your experience into a full korean cafe food recipe vibe. Try it with:
- Korean cafe drinks: A cold iced matcha latte or sweet dalgona coffee balances out the richness with bitterness and frothiness.
- Korean drinks recipe options: For something more traditional, a chilled citron tea or yuzu sparkling soda pairs perfectly with the cheesy, garlicky flavor.
- Healthy food sidekick: Pair this with a light asian slaw or kimchi salad to contrast the richness. It makes the dish more balanced, like turning a guilty pleasure into something closer to healthy snacks territory.
- Soup pairing: A light Korean radish soup or miso broth works well as a warm, savory side if you’re serving this for lunch or as part of a Korean lunch food platter.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of cheese instead of mozzarella?
Absolutely. Mozzarella is ideal because it melts beautifully and gives that iconic cheese pull, but you can substitute with mild cheddar, gouda, or even a Korean favorite — stretchy rice cake bits for an extra chewy texture.
2. What type of bread works best?
Soft, slightly sweet buns like brioche or milk bread are best. They soak up the garlic butter without getting soggy and give you that perfect contrast of soft inside and crispy outside. Avoid crusty bread like baguettes — it just won’t soak up the flavor properly.
3. Is this dish served hot or cold?
It’s best enjoyed warm, fresh from the oven. That’s when the mozzarella is melty, and the cream cheese is soft and flavorful. If you're packing it for later, a few minutes in the toaster oven revives it beautifully.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the buns and fillings ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. When you’re ready, assemble, brush with butter, and bake. It’s a great make-ahead dish for parties or meal prep — it even fits into easy korean recipes for entertaining.
5. Is this a traditional Korean food?
While it’s not a centuries-old traditional korean food like kimchi or bulgogi, it is a modern Korean invention that reflects the creativity found in korean street food recipes and cafe culture. You’ll find it in almost every hip korean dessert cafe and bakery — it’s become one of the best korean food fusions out there.
