Korean cream cheese garlic buns
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are a popular treat that has gained attention worldwide for their irresistible combination of flavours. These buns are soft, fluffy, and filled with a sweet cream cheese filling, topped with a savoury garlic butter sauce. The combination of sweetness, creaminess, and garlic flavour creates a unique and delicious snack perfect for any occasion.
Fusion of flavours
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are a fusion of two favourite flavours: sweet cream cheese and savoury garlic butter. The buns are soft and pillowy, similar to traditional bread rolls, but they are filled with a rich, creamy cream cheese filling. Once baked, the buns are dunked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce, which adds a savoury touch to balance the sweetness of the filling. You can also sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. It adds extra flavour and a slight crispness.
Why Are They So Popular?
These buns are not just delicious but also visually appealing. The warm, soft bread combined with the gooey cream cheese and savoury garlic sauce creates an unforgettable eating experience. They have become a popular snack or dessert in Korea, often enjoyed with coffee or tea. Their popularity has also spread to other countries, as the combination of sweet and savoury flavours is universally loved.
The Secret to the Fluffy Texture
One of the key elements of Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns is their soft and fluffy texture. This is achieved through a well-prepared dough that is allowed to rise properly. The dough is made with basic ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, egg and butter, which come together to create a light, airy texture once baked. The buns are soft on the inside with a slight crispness on the outside, making each bite satisfying and enjoyable.
The Cream Cheese Filling
The cream cheese filling is the heart of this recipe. It’s simple yet incredibly flavourful. Cream cheese, sugar, and heavy whipping cream are mixed together to create a smooth, sweet filling that contrasts perfectly with the garlic butter sauce. It’s important to chill the filling before use to ensure it stays firm and doesn’t melt into the dough during baking. This allows the buns to maintain their shape and texture.
Soft cream cheese-filled Korean buns, ready to be dunked into rich, buttery sauce.
The Garlic Butter Sauce
The garlic butter sauce is what gives these buns their signature savoury flavour. The sauce soaks into the buns, creating a delicious contrast to the creamy filling. The garlic adds a rich, aromatic flavour, while the butter keeps the buns moist and flavourful. Some variations also include Parmesan cheese, which adds an extra layer of savoury goodness to the final dish.
Serve and Enjoy
You can enjoy them as a snack, dessert, or even as part of a meal. They are perfect for sharing with friends or family during holidays or gatherings. The sweet and savoury flavours make them a treat for all ages, and their soft texture ensures they are enjoyed by anyone who takes a bite. Whether you’re baking them for yourself or for a special occasion, Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are sure to impress.
Freshly baked Korean cream cheese garlic buns, golden, savory, and ready to be served for a delicious treat!
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are a delightful and flavourful treat that brings together the best of both sweet and savoury worlds. With their soft texture, creamy filling, and flavourful garlic butter topping, they are a must-try for anyone who loves delicious and unique pastries. These buns are easy to make, and once you try them, they are sure to become a favourite in your baking repertoire.
Craving more delicious buns? Explore our other mouthwatering bread and bun recipes for even more irresistible flavours!
Korean cream cheese garlic buns
Ingredients
For the buns:
- 250 gms of bread flour
- 1 packet 7g instant dry yeast
- 35 gms of sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg room temperature
- 115 ml of lukewarm milk
- 30 gms of softened butter
Egg wash or milk wash
- Egg wash: 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of milk or water
- Milk wash: 2 tablespoons of milk or cream
For the cream cheese filling:
- 200 gms of softened cream cheese
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
For the garlic butter topping:
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3-4 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsps honey
- 1 room-temperature egg
- 2 tbsps chopped coriander or parsley
For the topping:
- 2 tbsps grated parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
Make the Dough
- Add the flour, sugar, and yeast to a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl and mix. Add the salt and egg and combine.
- Slowly add the lukewarm milk to the mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time and mix until the butter is incorporated.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar and heavy whipping cream until smooth and creamy.
- Refrigerate the cream cheese filling until use. It helps the filling stay firm, making it easier to handle when piping into the buns.
Shape the Buns
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions.
- Note the total weight and divide it by 4 to get equal portions (around 118g each of the dough weighs approximately 472g).
- Shape each portion into a ball.
- Arrange the dough balls into a lined baking pan. Leave enough space between the buns on the baking sheet to allow them to expand as they rise during baking.
- Let the shaped dough balls rise for about 20-30 minutes.
Make the Garlic Butter Topping
- In a bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, honey, egg and chopped coriander or parsley. Stir well.
- Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the shaped dough balls.
Bake the Buns
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Choose the Wash
- Egg Wash: For a deep golden colour and glossy finish, whisk 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water or milk.
- Milk Wash: For a softer, lighter golden crust, brush with milk or cream.
- Apply milk or egg wash on the tops of risen buns using a pastry brush. Be careful not to press down and deflate the dough.
- Ensure even coverage but avoid dripping down the sides, which can cause uneven browning.
- Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- If the buns are browning too quickly in the oven, place a sheet of aluminium foil loosely over the top.
- Leave the foil on for the remainder of the baking time. This will shield the buns from direct heat and prevent over-browning while allowing the insides to cook through.
- Once baked, allow the buns to cool completely before filling them with cream cheese. This step is essential to prevent the filling from melting, ensuring a stable, creamy texture and a neater presentation.
Filling
- Preheat the oven to 160°C.
- Once cooled, cut the buns into 8 sections without slicing all the way through. This creates a flower-like shape, allowing space for the cream cheese filling while keeping the bun intact.
- Transfer the cream cheese filling to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Carefully pipe the filling into each of the 8 sections of the buns, ensuring even distribution for a delicious, creamy bite in every piece.
- Dunk the filled buns into the garlic butter sauce, ensuring they are well-coated on all sides. Use a spoon to drizzle any remaining sauce over the top for extra flavour. For a finishing touch, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
Bake
- Bake the buns for another 15 minutes @ 160°C.
Serve
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before serving. It’s best enjoyed warm, with gooey cream cheese filling and a delicious garlic butter glaze.
- Enjoy your homemade Korean cream cheese garlic bread!
Notes
- When making Korean cream cheese buns, you can use bread flour (with 12 grams of protein per 100 grams of flour) or all-purpose flour. If using all-purpose flour, remember to adjust the quantity of liquid, as all-purpose flour absorbs slightly less liquid than bread flour. Start by reducing the liquid by about 1-2 tablespoons per cup of flour and adjust as needed based on the dough’s consistency.
- For easier handling, chill the cream cheese mixture for a bit before filling the dough. This prevents it from leaking out when you bake the buns.
- Once the buns are out of the oven, brush them with more garlic butter mixture for an extra burst of flavour.
Frequently asked questions
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns are soft, fluffy buns filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with a savoury garlic butter sauce. They are a popular snack or dessert in Korea, combining sweet, savoury, and creamy flavours.
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. After kneading, place it in a greased bowl, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Make sure the cream cheese filling is chilled before filling the buns. This helps it hold its shape and prevents it from melting out while baking.
Parmesan cheese is optional. It adds extra flavour, but the buns are delicious without it. You can skip it or replace it with other cheeses if you prefer.
After baking, store the buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate or freeze them.
Yes, you can adjust the sweetness of the cream cheese filling by adding more sugar, depending on your preference for sweetness.
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