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Cheesy Garlic Rolls (Savory Hot Cross Buns) Recipe

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★★★★

3.8 from 29 reviews

These Cheesy Garlic Rolls are savory hot cross buns filled with melted mozzarella or cheddar and topped with a flavorful pesto garlic butter and cream cheese crosses. Perfect for a comforting snack or appetizer, they feature a soft, tender dough with a delicious cheesy center.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 3½ cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 2¼ tsp Instant Yeast
  • 3 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 cup Warm Whole Milk (about 110°F)
  • 4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted)
  • 1 Large Egg (room temperature)

Fillings and Toppings

  • 15 small cubes of low-moisture mozzarella or cheddar (about ½ inch each)
  • 3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted)
  • 1 Tbsp Basil Pesto
  • 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
  • ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
  • 4 oz Cream Cheese (softened to room temperature)

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until evenly combined.
  2. Combine Wet and Dry: Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms, then continue mixing until it comes together into a rough ball, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes. Only add a little extra flour if the dough is aggressively sticking to your hands. The dough is ready when it feels smooth, slightly tacky but not sticky, and springs back when poked.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  5. Prepare Pesto Garlic Butter & Cream Cheese: While the dough rises, prepare the pesto garlic butter by stirring together 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon pesto, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder in a small bowl. Set aside. Transfer the softened cream cheese to a piping bag or zip-lock bag and refrigerate until needed.
  6. Divide Dough: Punch down the dough and turn it onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 15 equal pieces. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel to keep them from drying out as you work.
  7. Shape Rolls: Working with one piece at a time, pat the dough into a flat disc. Place one cheese cube in the center, then gather the edges of the dough up around it like a drawstring bag, pinching firmly at the top to seal. Flip the ball seam-side down. Place your hand over it with fingers relaxed and lightly touching the surface, then move your hand in small, quick circles while applying gentle downward pressure. The friction against the countertop will tighten the dough into a smooth ball after about 10 to 15 seconds.
  8. Second Rise: Arrange the rolls evenly in a parchment-lined baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until nearly doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  9. Bake and Brush: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the tops are deep golden brown. Immediately brush generously with the pesto garlic butter while still hot.
  10. Pipe Cream Cheese Crosses: Let the rolls cool for 10 to 15 minutes, then snip the tip of the piping bag and pipe a line of cream cheese down each row of rolls, then pipe across in the perpendicular direction to form crosses over every bun. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • Only add a little extra flour when kneading if the dough is aggressively sticking to your hands.
  • Keep divided dough pieces covered loosely to prevent drying while shaping.
  • Use small, quick circular motions with light downward pressure to form smooth dough balls.
  • Brush rolls immediately with pesto garlic butter after baking while still hot.
  • Chill cream cheese in piping bag before piping crosses.

Keywords: cheesy garlic rolls, savory hot cross buns, pesto garlic butter rolls, soft cheese-filled rolls, homemade cheesy buns

Find it online: https://foodarohub.com/cheesy-garlic-rolls-savory-hot-cross-buns-recipe/