Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls (Printer-friendly)
Pillowy golden buns filled with garlic butter, mozzarella and Parmesan—ideal as a savory side or starter.
# What you'll need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup warm milk
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
07 - 1 large egg
→ Filling
08 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
10 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
→ Topping
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 1 clove garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
# Method:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes frothy.
02 - Add softened unsalted butter, large egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until just combined.
03 - Gradually work in the all-purpose flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 6 to 8 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic.
04 - Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and dried Italian herbs to make the filling.
06 - Punch down the risen dough and divide evenly into 12 pieces. Flatten each portion into a circle, spoon generous filling into the center, and carefully pinch the edges to fully enclose the cheese filling, shaping into smooth balls.
07 - Arrange the filled dough balls, seam side down, on a parchment-lined baking tray. Cover loosely and let rise at room temperature for 25 to 30 minutes.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown.
09 - As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter mixed with minced garlic, then finish with a sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cheesy, gooey centers practically surprise you with each bite, turning a side dish into the star of the meal.
- They come together with simple pantry staples and make your kitchen smell irresistible in under two hours.
02 -
- If you rush the first rise, the rolls end up dense instead of fluffy—be patient here.
- Adding extra cheese might be tempting, but too much can break through the dough and leak out while baking.
03 -
- Monitor the dough’s rise by how it looks and feels, not just the clock.
- Brushing with garlic butter right when the rolls leave the oven soaks in the flavor and gives them that gorgeous sheen.