Savory Herb Cheese Roll (Printable Format)

Soft fluffy rolls filled with garlic, herbs, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful bite.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
03 - 1 cup warm milk
04 - 2 tablespoons sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg

→ Filling

08 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
14 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Finishing

15 - 1 tablespoon melted butter, for brushing
16 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture and mix well.
03 - Gradually add flour, mixing until soft dough forms; knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
05 - Combine softened butter, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, chives, and black pepper in a bowl.
06 - Punch down dough and roll on lightly floured surface into a 12x18-inch rectangle.
07 - Evenly spread filling over dough, leaving a small border along edges.
08 - Starting from the long side, roll dough tightly into a log and pinch seam to seal, then slice into 12 equal pieces.
09 - Place pieces cut side up in greased 9x13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise 30 minutes.
10 - Set oven to 350°F (175°C).
11 - Bake rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
12 - Brush hot rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with fresh herbs if desired.
13 - Serve rolls warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The dough is incredibly forgiving and soft, making these rolls feel fancy but actually quite simple to master
  • Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible while they bake, and everyone will wonder if you hired a professional baker
  • They're perfect for meal prep since you can assemble them the night before and bake fresh in the morning
  • The filling is so flavorful that even the simplest dinner feels like a celebration
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you think. If your milk is too hot or too cold, the yeast won't activate properly. Use a thermometer if you're not sure, and you'll never have a flat batch again.
  • Don't skip the second rise. I learned this the hard way when I tried to rush things. Those 30 minutes are what give you light, fluffy rolls instead of dense ones.
  • When rolling out the dough, make sure it's the same thickness throughout. Thin spots will bake faster than thick spots, leading to uneven cooking.
03 -
  • If you don't have a warm spot in your kitchen for rising, turn your oven on for 30 seconds, turn it off, and place your dough inside. This creates the perfect environment for yeast to do its thing.
  • Save any leftover filling and use it on pasta, spread it on toasted bread, or mix it into scrambled eggs. Waste nothing in the kitchen.
  • The key to perfectly sliced rolls is using a sharp, serrated knife and wiping it clean between cuts. This prevents the dough from compressing and creating dense rolls.

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