Buttery cheese garlic rolls

These buttery cheese garlic rolls are soft, fluffy, and loaded with melted mozzarella cheese that bubbles delightfully with every bite. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a comforting snack, this recipe is a wonderful way to bring the irresistible flavors of garlic and cheese together in a fresh bread roll.

I first made these rolls for a family brunch and everyone ended up asking for the recipe. The garlic roasting step really transforms the flavor into something buttery and sweet, making these rolls truly unforgettable.

Gather Your Ingredients

• One garlic head: roasting softly brings out a mellow sweetness and adds depth to the garlic butter
• Sprinkle of salt: helps season the garlic and balance flavors
• Olive oil: drizzled on the garlic before roasting to keep it moist and add richness
• Butter: divided between garlic butter and dough for a tender crumb and that melt-in-your-mouth feel
• Fresh parsley: gives a fresh herbal brightness to the garlic butter
• Warm milk: activates the yeast and provides richness to the dough
• Active dry yeast: essential for making the rolls rise and become soft and fluffy
• Honey: feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness
• All-purpose flour: creates the basic structure of the dough
• Bread flour: adds protein and chewiness to the rolls
• Milk powder (optional): enhances flavor and browning in the crust
• Egg yolks: tenderize the dough and add color and richness
• Sugar: a little sweetness for balance and feeds yeast
• Salt: strengthens gluten and enhances overall flavor
• Mozzarella cheese: the gooey cheesy star of the filling, best when fresh and shredded

How to Make It

Sear the Garlic:

In a small baking dish, place the whole garlic head with its top cut off. Drizzle olive oil all over it and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover tightly with foil and roast at 160 degrees Celsius for around two hours until the cloves become soft and buttery when pressed.

Prepare Garlic Butter:

Once the garlic is roasted and cool enough to handle, squeeze the cloves out into a bowl. Mix together with softened butter, chopped parsley, and two tablespoons of the oil from the roasted garlic for a spread full of garlicky richness.

Activate Yeast:

In a separate bowl, combine the warm milk with active dry yeast and honey. Let it rest for about ten minutes until a frothy foam forms on top, signaling that the yeast is alive and well.

Mix and Knead Dough:

Add the all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar, milk powder if using, softened butter, salt, egg yolks, and the yeast mixture to a mixing bowl. Knead on medium speed with a dough hook for 15 to 20 minutes until the dough turns soft, smooth, and elastic.

First Proof:

Place the kneaded dough into a clean bowl, cover it, and keep warm at about 29 degrees Celsius. Let it rise for one and a half hours or until it doubles in size.

Roll and Fill:

Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is about a quarter of a centimeter thick. Spread the prepared garlic butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese all over.

Shape and Slice:

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, then use a knife or dental floss to cut the log into six equal pieces.

Second Proof:

Arrange the rolls on a baking sheet, cover again, and allow them to puff up for another 30 minutes.

Bake:

Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Brush the rolls with an egg wash made of one beaten egg. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden on top. Start checking at 20 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Finish and Serve:

Once out of the oven, brush the rolls with any remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with extra parsley for a fresh finish.

Mozzarella is the heart of these rolls for me. It melts perfectly and pairs beautifully with the roasted garlic butter, creating a deliciously gooey and savory filling. I remember making these for a casual dinner with friends and watching them vanish in record time — everyone was raving about the flavor and the texture.

Flavor Boosters

Storage Tips Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep them soft. For longer storage, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to three months. To reheat, defrost at room temperature then warm in a 160 degrees Celsius oven for 10 minutes to refresh their softness and melted cheese. Ingredient Substitutions You can swap mozzarella with provolone or a mild cheddar for a different but equally delicious cheesy flavor. If you do not have bread flour, using all-purpose flour alone will still yield soft rolls though the texture may be slightly less chewy. Unsalted butter works just as well as salted—just add a tiny pinch more salt to taste.

Serving Suggestions

These buttery cheese garlic rolls are perfect alongside soups like tomato basil or chicken noodle, or served with a salad for a light meal. They also make fantastic party finger food or additions to holiday brunch spreads. A dollop of marinara or creamy ranch on the side pairs wonderfully.

Creative Twists

Garlic bread has roots in Italian cuisine but this particular style with soft yeast rolls and melted cheese is a modern American twist perfect for those who love rich, comforting flavors. Roasting garlic slowly is a traditional technique that brings a depth of flavor often missing in quick garlic butters. This recipe works year-round but try adding fresh chopped herbs like thyme or rosemary in colder months for a warming twist. In summer, fresh basil can replace parsley for a fragrant, bright finish. Using seasonal cheeses can also add interesting seasonal flavor notes.

This recipe combines simple ingredients and thoughtful steps to create irresistibly soft, flavorful rolls perfect for any occasion.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do you make the garlic butter for the rolls?

Roast a whole garlic head until soft, then mix the roasted garlic with softened butter, parsley, and garlic-infused olive oil to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.

→ What is the best way to knead the dough?

Knead the dough using a stand mixer with a dough hook on medium speed for 15-20 minutes until it becomes soft and smooth.

→ Can I use different cheeses in these rolls?

Yes, while mozzarella offers a creamy melt, other cheeses like cheddar or provolone can add unique flavors and textures.

→ How long should the dough proof before baking?

Let the dough proof in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour 30 minutes for the first rise and 30 minutes after shaping the rolls.

→ What temperature is ideal for baking these rolls?

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.