Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls Recipe
Introduction
These buttery cheese garlic rolls combine rich roasted garlic, creamy mozzarella, and a soft, tender dough for a delicious homemade treat. Perfect as a snack or alongside your favorite meal, they fill the kitchen with an irresistible aroma and melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

Ingredients
- 1 garlic head
- Sprinkle of salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 90 grams (1/3 cup) warm milk
- 7 grams (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- 200 grams (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) bread flour
- 20 grams (3 tbsp) milk powder (optional)
- 25 grams (2 tbsp) butter (softened)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 200 grams (2 cups) mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Step 1: Roast the garlic by placing the whole garlic head (top cut off) in a ramekin. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, cover with aluminum foil, and roast at 160°C (320°F) for 2 hours until soft and buttery.
- Step 2: Prepare the garlic butter by mixing the roasted garlic cloves with softened butter, chopped parsley, and 2 tablespoons of the garlic oil from roasting. Set this mixture aside.
- Step 3: In a bowl, combine the warm milk, active dry yeast, and honey. Let the mixture proof for about 10 minutes until frothy.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar, milk powder (optional), softened butter, salt, egg yolks, and the yeast mixture.
- Step 5: Knead the dough using a dough hook on medium speed for 15-20 minutes until it is soft and smooth.
- Step 6: Place the dough in a covered bowl and let it proof in a warm spot (around 29°C or 85°F) for about 1 hour and 30 minutes until it doubles in size.
- Step 7: Roll out the dough to about 1/4 cm (1/8 inch) thickness. Spread the prepared garlic butter evenly over the surface.
- Step 8: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly on top, then roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Step 9: Cut the log into 6 equal portions using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Step 10: Place the rolls on a baking sheet, cover, and allow them to proof again for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Step 11: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Brush the rolls with beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, checking after 20 minutes for doneness.
- Step 12: After baking, brush the rolls with the leftover garlic butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley to finish.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes to the garlic butter before spreading.
- You can substitute mozzarella with cheddar or any melty cheese of your choice.
- If you don’t have bread flour, use all-purpose flour, but the texture may be slightly different.
- Milk powder is optional but adds softness and a richer taste to the dough.
Storage
Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked rolls for up to 1 month and thaw at room temperature. Reheat in a warm oven (about 160°C / 320°F) for 5-10 minutes to restore freshness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight after the first proofing. Bring it to room temperature before rolling and shaping the rolls.
What if I don’t have fresh garlic for roasting?
You can use pre-minced garlic, but roasting whole garlic heads gives a milder, sweeter flavor that enhances the rolls significantly.
PrintButtery Cheese Garlic Rolls Recipe
These Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with rich garlic butter and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or a flavorful accompaniment to any meal, these homemade rolls feature a sweet and savory yeast dough with a luscious garlic butter spread and cheesy filling, baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (excluding garlic roasting and dough rising time)
- Cook Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (includes garlic roasting and baking)
- Total Time: Approximately 3 hours
- Yield: 6 rolls 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Garlic Butter
- 1 garlic head
- Sprinkle of salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Dough
- 90 grams (1/3 cup) warm milk
- 7 grams (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- 200 grams (1 1/2 cups) all purpose flour
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) bread flour
- 20 grams (3 tbsp) milk powder (optional)
- 25 grams (2 tbsp) butter, softened
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Filling and Finishing
- 200 grams (2 cups) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Garlic butter made previously
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Roast garlic: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Place one whole garlic head with the top cut off in a small ramekin, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle a pinch of salt, cover with aluminum foil, and roast for 2 hours until the garlic becomes buttery soft.
- Make garlic butter: Once the roasted garlic is cool, squeeze out the soft cloves and mix them with 50 grams of softened butter, chopped fresh parsley, and 2 tablespoons of the garlic oil from the ramekin. Set aside for later use.
- Prepare yeast mixture: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and honey. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar, milk powder (if using), softened butter, salt, egg yolks, and the frothy yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly.
- Knead dough: Using a dough hook attached to a mixer on medium speed, knead the dough for 15-20 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
- First proof: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rest in a warm environment (around 29°C/85°F) for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
- Roll out dough: After the first proof, gently punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4 cm (1/8 inch) thickness. Spread the prepared garlic butter evenly over the dough surface.
- Add mozzarella: Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the garlic buttered dough, ensuring even coverage.
- Roll and cut dough: Carefully roll the dough tightly from one end to form a log. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 6 equal portions.
- Second proof: Place the rolls cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a cloth or plastic wrap and let them proof for another 30 minutes until they are puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Brush the tops of the rolls with beaten egg for a glossy finish. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, checking after 20 minutes for a golden brown color.
- Decorate: Once baked, brush the rolls generously with the leftover garlic butter and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a bright and flavorful finish.
Notes
- Roasting the garlic at a low temperature slowly caramelizes it into a sweet, buttery spread that is key to the rich garlic flavor in the rolls.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other mild melting cheeses like provolone or fontina for variation.
- Ensure your milk is warm but not hot when proofing the yeast, as high temperatures can kill the yeast.
- Milk powder is optional but helps improve dough texture and flavor.
- If you don’t have a mixer, knead the dough by hand for 20-25 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Keywords: Garlic rolls, cheese rolls, homemade bread, garlic butter rolls, mozzarella bread, savory rolls

