Easy Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe

If you’re looking for an Easy Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe, you’ve come to the right place! This viral Korean bakery favorite has become one of the most loved bread recipes because of its irresistible combination of fluffy bread, sweet cream cheese filling, and rich garlic butter coating. Every bite is soft, creamy, buttery, garlicky, and slightly sweet – making it perfect for breakfast, merienda, dessert, or even a special treat for the family.

The original Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread became popular in South Korea through local bakeries before gaining worldwide attention on social media. Unlike traditional garlic bread, this version is made with soft milk bread that is sliced into sections, filled with sweetened cream cheese, dipped generously in a savory garlic butter mixture, and baked again until golden and aromatic.

This recipe is my easy Pinoy version that requires no stand mixer. Everything can be mixed and kneaded by hand, making it beginner-friendly while still producing soft, fluffy bread. Even if this is your first time making bread, simply follow the steps and you’ll be rewarded with bakery-quality Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread at home.

Whether you’re preparing it for your family, selling homemade bread, or simply satisfying your cravings, this Easy Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe is definitely worth trying!

7 Helpful Tips for the Best Easy Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe

1. Blooming Instant Yeast is Optional – but Helpful

Instant yeast doesn’t actually need to be bloomed before mixing with the flour. However, blooming it first helps verify that your yeast is still active. If it becomes foamy after about 5 minutes, it’s good to use.

2. Don’t Add Too Much Flour While Kneading

The dough may feel sticky during the first few minutes of kneading. Avoid adding too much extra flour. As you continue kneading for 10–15 minutes, the gluten develops and the dough becomes smoother and easier to handle.

3. Why Use Bread Flour?

Bread flour contains more protein than all-purpose flour, producing a softer, fluffier, and chewier bread that’s perfect for Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread. While all-purpose flour can work, bread flour gives the best texture.

4. Can You Use Butter Instead of Shortening?

Yes! Butter can be substituted for shortening in equal amounts. Butter gives a richer flavor, while shortening makes the bread slightly softer and keeps it fresher a little longer.

5. Let the Garlic Butter Cool Before Adding the Egg

Never add the egg while the melted butter is still hot. The butter mixture should be cooled first so the egg won’t scramble.

6. Cool the Bread Completely Before Slicing

Allow the baked buns to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into them. Slicing while they’re still hot may cause the bread to collapse or deflate.

7. Don’t Overbake During the Second Bake

The second bake is mainly to toast the garlic butter coating and warm the cream cheese filling. Bake only until lightly golden or according to your preferred level of crispiness.

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Easy Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe No Mixer Needed

This Easy Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe is a soft homemade bread filled with sweet cream cheese and coated with a rich garlic butter mixture before being baked until golden. No stand mixer required, making it perfect for beginners and home bakers looking for a delicious Korean-inspired bread.

Author Onyok Kokok

Ingredients

For the Dough

2 cups bread flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup evaporated milk
3 tablespoons shortening or butter

Yeast Mixture

1½ teaspoons instant yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 tablespoon white sugar

Cream Cheese Filling

160 grams cream cheese about 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons
1½ tablespoons condensed milk

Garlic Butter Dip

1 whole egg
150 grams melted butter about 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons
2½ tablespoons condensed milk
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1½ tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Additional

Beaten egg for egg wash
Cooking oil for greasing

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it bloom for about 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
Add the evaporated milk and bloomed yeast mixture. Mix using a spatula until combined.
Add the shortening or butter. Mix again.
Knead the dough for about 10–15 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Lightly grease the dough with oil.
Place in a bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours or until doubled in size.
Divide the dough into 6 equal portions (approximately 115 grams each).
Shape each into a smooth ball.
Arrange on a greased or lined baking pan.
Cover and allow to rise again for about 1 hour or until doubled.
Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese filling by mixing cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag.
Prepare the garlic butter mixture by combining cooled melted butter, egg, condensed milk, parsley, salt, minced garlic, and lemon juice.
Brush the risen dough with beaten egg.
Bake in a preheated 180°C oven for about 15 minutes.
Cool completely for at least 30 minutes.
Slice each bun into six sections without cutting all the way through.
Pipe the cream cheese filling into every slit.
Dip each filled bun into the garlic butter mixture.
Spoon the remaining garlic butter over the top.
Pipe the remaining cream cheese in the center.
Bake again at 180°C for 10–15 minutes depending on your preferred level of browning.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Other Ways of Cooking

Air Fryer

Yes! You can use an air fryer.

First Bake

160°C for approximately 10-12 minutes.

Second Bake

160°C for 5-8 minutes.

Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model. Check the bread regularly during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning.

Storage

Refrigerator

Store leftover Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days because of the cream cheese filling.

Freezer

Wrap each bread individually and freeze for up to 1 month.

Reheating

Reheat in:

Oven: 170°C for 5-8 minutes
Air fryer: 160°C for 3-5 minutes

Avoid microwaving for too long as the bread may become chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I skip blooming the instant yeast?

A: Yes. Instant yeast can be mixed directly with the flour. However, blooming it first is a good way to check if your yeast is still active before making the dough.

Q: Why is my dough sticky?

A: Freshly mixed dough is naturally sticky. Avoid adding too much flour. Continue kneading and the dough will become smoother as the gluten develops.

Q: Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

A: Yes, but bread flour is highly recommended because its higher protein content creates softer, fluffier, and chewier bread. All-purpose flour will still work but the texture may be slightly less chewy.

Q: Can I use butter instead of shortening?

A: Absolutely. Use the same amount of butter as a substitute for shortening. Butter provides a richer flavor, while shortening gives a softer crumb.

Q: Why should the garlic butter be cooled before adding the egg?

A: If the butter is still hot, the egg may cook immediately and form scrambled egg bits in the mixture. Let the butter cool to room temperature before mixing.

Q: Why should I cool the buns before slicing them?

A: Hot bread is still delicate. Slicing immediately may cause the buns to collapse or lose their fluffy texture. Cooling for at least 30 minutes helps maintain their shape.

Q: Can I prepare these ahead of time?

A: Yes. Bake the bread ahead of time, cool completely, then refrigerate. Add the filling and garlic butter before the second bake when you’re ready to serve for the freshest results.

Q: Can I freeze Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread?

A: Yes. Wrap each bread tightly and freeze for up to one month. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.

Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe Video

For more recipe videos, visit our YouTube channel, Onyok Kokok, by clicking the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/@onyokkokok8538

Discover more step-by-step written recipes by clicking the link below.

Filipino Recipes & Cooking – Welcome to Onyok Kokok Kitchen

Final Note

This Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread Recipe proves that you don’t need expensive equipment to make bakery-quality bread at home. With simple ingredients, hand kneading, and a little patience, you can enjoy soft homemade buns filled with creamy sweet cream cheese and coated with an irresistible garlic butter mixture. Whether you’re making them for family gatherings, merienda, or even for selling, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. Happy baking!