Cheese Garlic Rolls – Soft, Buttery, and Irresistibly Cheesy

Christmas nights always smell like something baking. The buttery scent, the garlic roasting slowly, the soft pull of warm cheese stretching as you take the first bite. These cheese garlic rolls capture that feeling — cozy, joyful, and just a little indulgent. Perfect for a festive dinner, or when your heart needs comfort on a cold day.

Why You’ll Love These Cheese Garlic Rolls

These rolls taste like soft clouds filled with melty cheese and roasted garlic. They’re buttery, rich, and fluffy inside. The roasted garlic adds depth, while the gooey cheese brings that satisfying stretch we all love.

You’ll love that the dough is easy to handle, even if you’re new to bread-making. The recipe walks you through each step clearly, and the result feels like something from a bakery, fresh from your own oven.

Time, Yield & Difficulty

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Yield: 6 rolls
Level: Easy to Intermediate
Proof stages: 2 (1.5 hours + 30 minutes)
Oven temperature: 175°C (350°F)

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough

• 90g (1/3 cup) warm whole milk
• 7g (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp honey
• 200g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 50g (1/2 cup) bread flour (optional)
• 20g (3 tbsp) milk powder (optional)
• 25g (2 tbsp) softened butter
• 2 egg yolks (or 1 whole egg)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1.5 tsp salt

For the Garlic Butter

• 1 head garlic
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 50g (1/4 cup) butter
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• Salt

For the Filling & Topping

• 200g (2 cups) mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, parmesan, or mix)
• 1 egg for egg wash
• Extra garlic butter and parsley for finishing

Tools & Equipment

You’ll need a stand mixer with a dough hook, rolling pin, ramekin, foil, mixing bowls, and a baking pan. A piece of dental floss works best for cutting clean rolls.

How to Roast the Garlic

Start with a full head of garlic. Slice off the top just enough to expose the cloves. Place it in a ramekin with olive oil and a pinch of salt, then cover with foil. Roast at 160°C (320°F) for 2 hours until the cloves turn golden and buttery soft.

You can roast the garlic ahead of time and store it in oil for up to a week. The longer it rests, the richer the flavor becomes.

How to Make Perfect Cheese Garlic Rolls

Step 1 – Make the Garlic Butter

Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a bowl. Add softened butter, chopped parsley, and a spoonful of the garlic-infused oil. Stir until creamy and fragrant.

Step 2 – Prepare the Dough

In a small bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and honey. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy. Combine the flours, milk powder, salt, sugar, egg yolks, and softened butter. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix using a dough hook for about 15–20 minutes until smooth and stretchy.

Step 3 – Proof the Dough

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 4 – Shape and Fill

Roll out the dough into a rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick. Spread the garlic butter evenly, sprinkle the cheese, then roll it into a log. Use floss to cut it into 6 pieces.

Step 5 – Second Proof and Bake

Arrange the rolls in a greased baking pan, leaving a bit of space between each. Let them rise again for 30 minutes until puffy. Brush with egg wash, then bake at 175°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes. If you like golden tops, broil for 2–3 minutes at 190°C (375°F).

Step 6 – Finish and Serve

Once baked, brush the warm rolls with more garlic butter and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve immediately for that soft, melty cheese experience.

Tips for Soft, Fluffy, and Cheesy Rolls

Knead until your dough passes the windowpane test — it should stretch without tearing. Proofing fully is key to light, airy rolls. Roasted garlic gives a mellow sweetness, so don’t skip that step.

Use dental floss for clean cuts and try adding herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavor. You can even pair these rolls with creamy broccoli cheddar soup with rich flavor or serve alongside garlic herb roasted veggies as a perfect side.

FAQs About Cheese Garlic Rolls

Storage & Reheating Guide

Store rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, bake again at 175°C (350°F) for 5–8 minutes until the cheese melts. You can freeze them for up to 2 months for future dinners or parties.

Cheese Garlic Rolls Recipe Card

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More Such Recipes

Try my roasted garlic and herb eggplant as a savory appetizer, or make zucchini garlic bites for a cheesy snack. You can also check my easy dinner roll recipe without yeast if you’re short on time.

Final Thoughts

These cheese garlic rolls feel like a warm hug on a winter night. They’re perfect for Christmas dinner or any cozy weekend meal. Serve them with soups, pasta, or just a cup of tea.

If you try this recipe, share your rolls on Pinterest or tag me on Facebook. I’d love to see your creations and hear how they made your kitchen smell like home.