Name: Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 25 min
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 garlic head; Sprinkle of salt; 30 grams olive oil; 50 grams butter; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley; 90 grams warm milk; 7 grams active dry yeast; 25 grams honey; 200 grams all-purpose flour; 50 grams bread flour; 20 grams milk powder (optional); 25 grams butter; 2 egg yolks; 1 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon sugar; 200 grams mozzarella cheese; Garlic butter (previously made); 1 egg

If you’re looking for a dream come true in the form of a pillowy-soft, ultra-cheesy appetizer, these Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls will absolutely blow you away. Each roll is stuffed with lush mozzarella, swirled with golden roasted garlic, then finished with a slick of garlicky butter and a bright burst of parsley. They’re so irresistibly fluffy and melty that I dare you to stop at just one. Whether you’re baking for a dinner party, a holiday feast, or the world’s coziest movie night, this is the kind of recipe you bookmark and make again and again.

Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s amazing how a shortlist of kitchen staples transforms into unforgettable Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls. Every ingredient here earns its place, offering either flavor, softness, cheesy gooeyness, or golden richness. Trust me, you won’t want to skip a thing!

Garlic head: Roasting a whole bulb mellows its bite and turns it beautifully creamy for our heavenly garlic butter.
Salt: Just a pinch to wake up all the flavors—you’ll taste the difference!
Olive oil (30 grams): Rich, fruity olive oil keeps the garlic moist while roasting and adds depth to the butter.
Butter (50 grams plus 25 grams): Butter brings that classic melt-in-your-mouth flavor and softness to both the dough and the filling.
Fresh parsley (1 tablespoon): Adds color and a fresh, fragrant finish—don’t skip the final sprinkle!
Warm milk (90 grams): The warmth helps bloom the yeast and provides moisture to tenderize the dough.
Active dry yeast (7 grams): Gives your rolls their signature fluffiness and light rise.
Honey (25 grams): Adds subtle sweetness and helps the yeast do its thing.
All-purpose flour (200 grams): The workhorse of the dough—perfect for tender, light rolls.
Bread flour (50 grams): Just a touch adds extra protein for structure and super-pillowy texture.
Milk powder (20 grams, optional): Adds richness and even more softness—use if you have it!
Butter (25 grams, softened): Incorporated into the dough for silky richness from the inside out.
Egg yolks (2): Provide color and tenderness (the golden hue is such a treat).
Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Balances the sweetness and cheese; the dough would be bland without it.
Sugar (1 tablespoon): Feeds the yeast and gives depth to the overall flavor.
Mozzarella cheese (200 grams): The star of the filling! Choose a good quality, semi-soft mozzarella for those gooey cheese pulls.
Egg (1, for egg wash): Brushing with egg gives your rolls their irresistible golden, glossy crust.

How to Make Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls

Step 1: Roast the Garlic

Cut the top off a whole garlic head and snuggle it into a small oven-safe ramekin. Drizzle liberally with olive oil, sprinkle lightly with salt, and tuck it in under foil. Let it slowly roast at 160°C (320°F) for two hours until the cloves are gooey, caramel-hued, and so soft you can practically spread them with a spoon. Roasted garlic is what transforms regular rolls into Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls bursting with flavor.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter

Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze those silky cloves into a bowl. Add softened butter, finely chopped parsley, and a couple generous spoonfuls of the garlicky olive oil leftover from roasting. Mash and mix until swoon-worthy and spreadable. Set aside—try not to eat it all on toast before the next step!

Step 3: Prepare the Yeast Mixture

In a roomy bowl, add your warm milk, active dry yeast, and honey. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about ten minutes. This little rest gets the yeast bubbling and frothy, signaling that your dough is about to rise to the occasion.

Step 4: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose and bread flours, sugar, milk powder (if you have it), the second portion of butter (softened), salt, two egg yolks, and that happy, frothy yeast mixture. The dough will be sticky at first, but that just means you’re on the right track to ultimate softness.

Step 5: Knead Until Soft and Smooth

Time for some dough therapy! Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, knead on medium for 15 to 20 minutes (or use your hands and a little muscle). You’re looking for a dough that’s smooth, elastic, and just slightly tacky. When you poke it, it should spring back gently.

Step 6: Proof the Dough

Transfer your dough baby into a lightly greased bowl and cover it. Let it hang out in a warm spot (around 29°C or 85°F) for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until doubled in size. The slow rise is key to making Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls that are unbelievably soft!

Step 7: Roll Out the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, gently roll the dough out to about 1/4 cm (1/8 inch) thickness. The thin sheet is perfect for slathering on all that garlicky, herby butter you made earlier. Make sure to go all the way to the edges so every bite is loaded with flavor.

Step 8: Add the Cheese and Roll Up

Sprinkle those heaping piles of shredded mozzarella evenly across the buttered dough. Now, tightly roll the dough up into a log—like you would for cinnamon rolls—trapping every strand of cheese and swirl of garlic inside.

Step 9: Cut into Portions

Using a knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss (a game-changer for clean slices!), cut your log into six thick, cheesy rolls. Place each roll onto a lined baking sheet, leaving just a bit of space for them to puff up.

Step 10: Final Proof

Cover the tray and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes. They’ll look puffy and eager by the end—proof that they’re ready for baking.

Step 11: Egg Wash and Bake

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Brush each roll generously with the beaten egg, which helps set that gorgeous, golden finish. Slide them into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes; start checking at the 20-minute mark. You’re looking for deep golden tops and bubbling cheese.

Step 12: Butter and Serve

As soon as the Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls come out of the oven, brush them with any remaining garlic butter and give them an extra sprinkle of chopped parsley. This final flourish of flavor and freshness will make them truly irresistible.

How to Serve Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls

Garnishes

Once your Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls are hot from the oven, scatter over a handful of extra chopped parsley for a pop of color and a hit of fresh herbiness. Want to go a step further? Add a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a pinch of fresh-cracked black pepper right before serving. A “snowfall” of grated parmesan or pecorino also takes these rolls to the next level—you can never have too much cheese!

Side Dishes

These rolls pair like a dream with a steaming bowl of tomato soup, a crisp Caesar salad, or any hearty Italian-style meal. Serve them alongside roasted chicken or any saucy pasta dish; they’re also fantastic as a part of any brunch spread. The best part is that Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls don’t steal the spotlight—they just make every meal more fun and memorable.

Creative Ways to Present

For a playful twist, bake the rolls in a cast-iron skillet and let everyone pull them apart at the table—perfect for family style! Or arrange them in a wreath on a platter surrounded by extra dipping sauce (like marinara or basil pesto). Individual rolls also make a fantastic addition to lunchboxes or picnic baskets, especially served warm in parchment wraps.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Don’t worry if you have a few Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls left (though honestly, that’s a rare occurrence!). Simply let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days. A quick zap in the microwave or warm-up in the oven brings back their pillowy texture.

Freezing

Want to prep ahead? After baking and cooling, place the rolls in a zip-top freezer bag or wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 1 month. To serve, let them thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge—then reheat for that just-baked taste.

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-baked magic, gently reheat the rolls in a 175°C (350°F) oven for about 5 to 10 minutes. You can also microwave them individually for 20 to 30 seconds, but the oven method gives the best texture, keeping the rolls perfectly fluffy and the cheese nice and gooey.

FAQs

Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of fresh mozzarella?

You can, but fresh mozzarella melts smoother and gives that soft, creamy pull. Pre-shredded works in a pinch, just check the ingredients for added starches that can affect melting.

Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Absolutely! After the first rise, cover the dough and let it rest in the fridge overnight. Let it come to room temperature before rolling, filling, and proceeding with the recipe. This slow rise can even boost flavor.

Do I really need to roast the garlic?

Roasting transforms garlic into a sweet, mellow, buttery paste that’s just magical in these Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls. Raw garlic is simply too strong and sharp for the filling—so don’t skip this step!

Can I make the rolls smaller for a party?

Definitely! Slice the log into more pieces for mini rolls—just adjust the baking time down a bit. They make fantastic bite-sized party snacks.

Are Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls vegetarian?

Yes, as long as your cheese doesn’t contain animal rennet. Check the label or ask at the deli for a vegetarian-friendly mozzarella, and you’re all set.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving comfort and originality all in one bite, don’t miss out on baking these Buttery cheese Garlic Rolls at home. They’re not just another bread roll—they’ll become a household favorite and the recipe everyone asks for after just one taste. Roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and enjoy the cozy magic!