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When I was in college, one of my favorite places to eat was a little Korean restaurant near the campus. They had the best garlic bread – it was cheesy and garlicky and delicious. Since then, I’ve been trying to recreate that recipe at home, and I think I’ve finally got it! This Korean cream cheese garlic bread is definitely a winner in my book. Plus, it’s really easy to make – you just need a few simple ingredients. So why not give it a try? You might just become a garlic bread lover like me! 🙂
What Is Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread?
Korean cream cheese garlic bread is a twist on classic garlic bread. Instead of using butter and garlic powder, it uses Korean cream cheese, which gives the bread a creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor. It also has minced garlic, onions, and sesame oil for added flavor. You can serve this as an appetizer or side dish to just about any meal.
What Does Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Taste Like?
Korean cream cheese garlic bread has a creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor, thanks to the Korean cream cheese. The minced garlic, onions, and sesame oil give it some extra depth of flavor. It’s cheesy and garlicky with just the right amount of crunch from the toasted bread – perfect for dipping or eating on its own!
What Is The Difference Between Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread And Regular Garlic Bread?
The main difference between Korean cream cheese garlic bread and regular garlic bread is the use of Korean cream cheese. Regular garlic bread is typically made with butter, garlic powder, and sometimes Parmesan cheese. The addition of Korean cream cheese gives the garlic bread a creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor that you don’t get from the traditional recipe. In addition, the use of minced garlic, onions, and sesame oil gives it some extra depth of flavor.
How To Make Korean Bread
Ingredients
For The Homemade Bread Rolls:
- Warm milk (105-115 F): 1 and 1/4 cup
- Active dry yeast: 2 and 1/4 tsp
- Sugar: 1/2 cup
- Canola oil: 1/3 cup
- Large eggs: 2
- Salt: 1 tsp
- All-purpose flour, plus 1/8 cup extra: 4 and 1/2 cup
For The Cream Cheese Filling And Garlic Butter:
- Cream cheese, softened: 250 grams (1 block)
- Powdered sugar: 1/4 cup
- Heavy cream: 1/4 cup
- Butter, melted: 1/2 cup
- Garlic, minced very finely: 10 cloves
- Honey: 3 tbsp
- Dried parsley: 2 tsp
- Egg: 1
How To Make Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Korean cream cheese garlic bread is made by coating a piece of bread with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and green onions. The bread is then typically toasted or grilled, resulting in a delicious and slightly messy treat. While it might sound complicated, this dish is actually quite easy to make at home.
Make The Homemade Bread Dough:
- Dissolving yeast is an important first step in making bread. When making bread at home, it is best to use dry yeast, which is more reliable than fresh yeast and does not need to be refrigerated.
- To dissolve and activate dry yeast, sprinkle it over warm water and set it aside. Once the yeast is dissolved, add all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt to a stand mixer bowl and mix with a dough hook.
- Add the water-yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix on low speed until the dough roughly comes together.
- Increase the speed to medium high and knead the dough until it is smooth, elastic, and passes the window pane test. This process may take 10-12 minutes. By taking the time to properly dissolve and knead the dough, you will end up with a delicious loaf of bread that is worth the effort.
- The dough is smoothed and rounded into a ball before being placed back in the bowl. The dough is allowed to proof in a warm area until doubled in size, which takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- The gases are deflated by punching down the dough and folding it onto itself a couple times. The dough is portioned into 6 equal pieces before being lightly floured.
Shape And Bake The Bread Rolls:
To begin, tightly tuck and roll each piece of dough to form smooth balls. Place them on a parchment lined sheet pan, making sure to leave 3 to 4 inches between each ball. Cover the dough balls and let them proof in a warm area until almost doubled, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Once the dough balls are almost doubled, preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush each ball with egg wash if desired, then bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the interior registers 190°F. Remove the bread rolls from the oven once they’re done and let them cool at room temperature until comfortable to handle.
For The Cream Cheese Filling:
In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream and egg until combined. Slowly stream the egg mixture into the cream cheese mixture while mixing on low speed. Once all of the ingredients are combined, set aside.
For The Garlic Butter:
In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, honey and dried parsley. Whisk together until all of the ingredients are blended evenly.
To Assemble:
Slice each bread roll in half lengthwise and spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture on top of each. Spread 2 teaspoons of garlic butter onto each piece of bread.
Place the bread rolls back on the sheet pan and bake in the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!
Here is a video how to make Korean cream cheese garlic bread:
Use The Window Pane Test To Check Your Dough
The window pane test is a way to tell if your dough has been kneaded enough. To do it, remove a small piece of dough and stretch it out slowly until it is thin enough to see through. If the dough does not break and you can see light through it, then it has been sufficiently kneaded. This step ensures that the texture and flavor of your bread will turn out perfectly.
Once your dough passes the window pane test, it is ready to be shaped and baked! So take the time to knead your dough and make sure it passes this simple test before baking. The end result will be a delicious homemade bread roll that everyone can enjoy!
Make The Bread Dough By Hand
First of all, it’s important to choose the right flour. For a light and airy loaf, all-purpose flour is generally the best bet. However, if you’re looking for something with a bit more heft, then Bread flour or whole wheat flour are both good choices. Just be sure to avoid using self-rising flour, as this will result in an overly dense loaf.
Once you’ve selected your flour, it’s time to start mixing. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt then mix with hand. Add water with dissolved yeast and mix until dough roughly comes together. Knead dough until smooth ball forms. Place in bowl, cover and let rest in warm area for 10-20 minutes. Punch dough down and knead for a few minutes. Check to see if it passes window pane test. If so, smooth and round into ball then follow recipe for proofing and baking.
If all of this sounds like too much work, don’t worry – there are plenty of shortcuts that professional bakers use to speed up the process. For example, some recipes call for instant yeast, which doesn’t need to be dissolved in water before being added to the flour mixture. And if you’re really short on time, there are even recipes for no-knead breads that only require a few minutes of hands-on time. So whatever your level of expertise (or lack thereof), there’s a bread recipe out there that’s just right for you.
Recipe Tips
– For a golden brown crust and fluffy interior, use all-purpose or bread flour in this recipe.
– To make sure your bread rolls rise evenly, be sure to proof them in a warm place until they’re almost doubled in size.
– If you want to get fancy, try adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the garlic butter for an extra flavor kick.
– For a sweeter bread roll, replace the honey in the garlic butter with brown sugar or maple syrup.
– No matter what kind of filling you choose, be sure to brush melted butter over the top of the rolls after baking for a beautiful golden finish.
– If your dough is too sticky, add a little bit more flour and knead until it reaches the right consistency.
– If you’re short on time, try using instant yeast for this recipe – it won’t need to be dissolved in water before being added to the dough.
– Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster before serving.
– Freezing is a great way to preserve your bread rolls – just wrap them tightly and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How Do You Serve Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread?
Korean cream cheese garlic bread can be served as an appetizer or side dish to any meal. It’s great for dipping into a variety of sauces or topping with freshly chopped herbs. It can also be used as a topping for pizzas or pastas, or simply enjoyed on its own with some extra butter. Most importantly, it’s delicious and sure to be a hit with your family and friends!
How To Store And Reheating
Korean cream cheese garlic bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.
If you’re reheating your Korean cream cheese garlic bread in the oven, make sure to preheat it at 350°F. Place the garlic bread into a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. You can also store these in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, simply place the garlic bread back into a preheated oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.
More Korean Recipes
How To Make Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Korean Bread FAQs
What Makes Milk Bread Different?
Milk bread is a type of enriched bread that uses milk, butter, and eggs to give it a richer flavor and softer texture. It has become popular in Korean cooking due to its versatility for making everything from sandwiches to desserts.
Why Is It Called Garlic Bread?
Garlic bread is so called because it typically uses garlic powder, butter, and sometimes Parmesan cheese for flavor. In the case of Korean cream cheese garlic bread, minced garlic, onions, and sesame oil are used instead to give it a unique flavor profile.
What Makes Bread Super Soft And Fluffy?
Bread can become super soft and fluffy when it is made with enriched ingredients like milk, butter, and eggs. This type of bread is often called “milk bread” or “enriched bread”.
Adding extra yeast or using a longer fermentation time can also help to make the bread even more fluffy. Additionally, kneading the dough for an extended period of time helps to create the perfect texture. Finally, using a combination of different flours can also help to make the bread light and fluffy.
Can You Overcook Tangzhong?
Yes, it is possible to overcook your tangzhong. Overcooking the mixture can result in a dense and heavy texture that won’t rise properly when baked. To prevent this, make sure to keep an eye on the thermometer while stirring and remove the pan from heat as soon as it reaches 65°C (150°F).
Summary
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious appetizer or side dish, give this Korean cream cheese garlic bread a try! It’s bound to be a hit with your friends and family. Thanks for reading, and Liliana Kitchen hope you enjoy the recipe.
Ingredients
- FOR THE HOMADE BREAD ROLLS:
- Warm milk (105-115 F): 1 and 1/4 cup
- Active dry yeast: 2 and 1/4 tsp
- Sugar: 1/2 cup
- Canola oil: 1/3 cup
- Large eggs: 2
- Salt: 1 tsp
- All-purpose flour, plus 1/8 cup extra: 4 and 1/2 cup
- FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FILLING AND GARLIC BUTTER:
- Cream cheese, softened: 250 grams (1 block)
- Powdered sugar: 1/4 cup
- Heavy cream: 1/4 cup
- Butter, melted: 1/2 cup
- Garlic, minced very finely: 10 cloves
- Honey: 3 tbsp
- Dried parsley: 2 tsp
- Egg: 1
Instructions
MAKE THE BREAD:
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Stir to dissolve the yeast and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add in the oil, eggs, salt, and 4 ½ cups of flour. Use a dough hook attachment to mix on low speed until a soft dough forms.
3. Increase the speed to medium and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add in the remaining flour one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
4. Grease a large bowl with oil, then place the dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
MAKE THE FILLING AND GARLIC BUTTER:
1. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the heavy cream and mix until smooth. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, honey and dried parsley. Set aside.
3. Beat one egg in a small bowl until light and frothy. Set aside.
ASSEMBLE THE BREAD:
1. Grease two 9x13 inch baking pans with oil or cooking spray.
2. Punch down the risen dough, then transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 16 even portions and shape each one into a small ball.
3. Place 8 of the balls in each baking pan, then use your fingers to flatten out each one until they are about 1/4 inch thick (you should have 8 rounds per pan).
4. Spread 1/2 of the cream cheese filling over each round, then sprinkle on a few teaspoons of the garlic butter.
5. Brush each round with some beaten egg, then cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until doubled in size.
6. Preheat oven to 350 F (176 C).
7. Bake the bread for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and fluffy. Serve warm or at room temperature, with extra garlic butter and sesame oil for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can add other flavorings to the cream cheese filling, such as herbs or spices.
- Be sure not to overfill the bread rolls with filling, otherwise they may not rise properly.
- If you don't have a stand mixer, you can make the dough by hand. Just be sure to knead it for a few minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- The garlic butter can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or longer in the freezer. You can use it as a spread on sandwiches or toast, or even to top roasted vegetables!
- Leftover Korean cream cheese garlic bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
