Description
Quick and easy, 90-minute cheesy garlic dinner rolls are soft and fluffy, buttery and garlicky, and full of cheese inside. The perfect side for dinner.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 grams active dry yeast
- 180 grams milk (3/4 cup), at room temperature
- 50 grams butter, softened at room temperature (1/4 cup)
- 8 grams sugar (2 teaspoons)
- 6 grams salt (1 teaspoon)
- 1 egg
- 375 grams all purpose flour (3 cups)
For the cheese filling:
- 1/2 (8 oz.) package cream cheese (1/2 cup), at room temperature
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the garlic topping:
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine yeast, milk, butter, sugar, salt and egg, and whisk until well combined and yeast is dissolved. The butter might still be a little lumpy in the mixture at this point.
- Add flour and stir well to combine until no dry flour is visible in the bowl. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as needed.
Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough mixture onto a clean and lightly greased surface. The oil will help keep the dough from sticking to your hands initially. You can even lightly oil your hands too.
- Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until the dough ball is smooth and not sticky at all. A well kneaded dough is smooth and can hold its shape. To test if the dough is well-kneaded, give the dough ball a firm poke with your finger. The indentation should bounce right back. If it doesn’t bounce back and stays like a dimple, keep kneading for a few more minutes.
Shape and Stuff the Dinner Rolls:
- In a small mixing bowl, add cream cheese and mozzarella. Stir with a spatula until well combined.
- Roll the dough into a log and use a knife or bench scraper to divide it into 10-12 equal pieces (or 8-10 equal pieces with a larger piece in the middle).
- Flatten the dough and add 1.5 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into the centre of the dough. Press all edges into the centre to seal so that the cheese doesn't escape out during baking. Turn it over and cup the dough in your palm, making circular motions. It should take less than 30 seconds to roll each piece into a smooth ball.
Proof the Dinner Rolls:
- Arrange the cheese filled dough balls on a large skillet or parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave 1/2-inch of space in between each dough ball.
- Cover the pan with plastic cling wrap to prevent the dough from drying out. When the dough loses moisture, it tends to form hard skin around its surface, which creates a crust when baking. Let the rolls rest and rise for 1 hour. The rolls should almost double in size. Note that placing the rolls in a warmer area will help them rise faster.
Bake the Dinner Rolls:
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- In a small mixing bowl, stir to combine garlic, melted butter, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and chopped green onions. Apply egg wash over each roll and add a spoonful of the garlic cheese mixture on top. The egg wash helps the toppings stick to the surface of the rolls. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top (optional, for garnish).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
- Let the rolls cool on a wire cooling rack for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Equipment used: kitchen scale, mixing bowls, cast-iron skillet or quarter sheet baking pan.
How to store: Store cooled dinner rolls covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
How to freeze: Store cooled dinner rolls in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
How to reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 300F for 5-7 minutes, or in a 300F preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. If frozen, allow the dinner rolls to thaw first to room temperature, then reheat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (+1 hour rise time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American