Korean garlic cheese bread kicks garlic bread out of spaghetti-sidekick territory by being its own snack. And by using a bread loaf instead of individual buns, this recipe turns it into a shareable treat.
Dipping the bread in honey garlic butter distributes flavor and helps it bake into a toasty golden brown. The cream cheese filling should be just sweet enough to complement the savory, garlicky butter—adjust the sugar as you please. Enjoy fresh out of the oven while the cheese is gooey.
Ingredients
- 1 small bread loaf or 6 round brioche buns
Sweet Cream Cheese Filling
- 1 block (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½–2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or all purpose cream
- ½–⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Honey Garlic Butter
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp condensed milk
- 1 ½ tbsp minced garlic
- 1 ½ tbsp parsley
- 1 tbsp honey
Toppings
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
If using a small loaf: Make thick, even cuts into your loaf with a bread knife, being careful not to slice all the way though. Aim to cut halfway into the loaf, keeping the base intact.
If using round brioche buns: Make 2 or 3 cuts—like a cross or an asterisk—into each bun, making sure not to cut all the way through. You want to keep the base of your buns intact so it can hold the filling.
Make cream cheese filling: Combine cream cheese and granulated sugar in a bowl. Mix with a spatula until light and fluffy. Add heavy cream or all purpose cream, mixing until smooth. Fold in shredded mozzarella cheese.
With a spoon or spatula, carefully transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag or Ziploc bag (cut one corner after transferring) and set aside.
Make honey garlic butter: Combine the ingredients in a big mixing bowl. Whisk or stir until well-combined.
Dip your bread in the honey garlic butter. Make sure it gets into the cuts in the bread. Paint the insides with the butter mixture using a brush or a spatula, getting it in as deep as you can.
Pipe cream cheese mixture inside the bread cuts. If not using a piping bag, use a spoon. Brush the top with another coat of honey garlic butter, then sprinkle parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs to create a topping.
Bake for 5-8 minutes until lightly browned and parmesan cheese has melted. Let cool slightly before serving.
