In the 1980’s I used to dine at a restaurant in Woodland Hills, California called The Pizza Cookery. They had these wonderful, chewy, cheesy garlic rolls that they would serve with whipped butter. The rolls were amazing and I think The Pizza Cookery may have served far more rolls than pizza. I have searched for their recipe for years and never found it. Apparently, it is a closely guarded family secret.
These garlic rolls are a delicious and irresitable blend of freshly baked warm rolls, aromatic garlic and gooey cheese. Whether served as a side dish or a standalone treat, these rolls are all about the joys of simple comfort food. They are are easy to make and are a great alternative to store-bought garlic bread. Because the rolls are made from a pizza dough with very little yeast, they need some time to rise, so plan accordingly.
While there is nothing quite like those original garlic cheese rolls from The Pizza Cookery, these are a pretty darn good knockoff. Savor each and every cheesy bite.
Try some of my other dishes cooked in a wood-fired oven like Margherita Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza and Chicago Style Deep Dish Pan Pizza.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour
- Instant dried yeast
- Fine sea salt
- Water
- Butter
- Garlic cloves
- Parmesan cheese
- Asiago cheese
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Make the Dough
Place the water and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and swirl until salt is dissolved. Add the yeast and let it soak for about 30 seconds then swirl to dissolve. Then, add the flour and use the paddle attachment to combine (30 - 45 seconds). Remove the paddle, cover the dough with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
After the dough has rested, use the dough hook to knead the dough for three minutes on the lowest setting, then knead for another three minutes on the next setting. Remove the dough hook, cover the dough with plastic wrap, and let it rest for two hours.
Roll the Dough into a Log
The key to these cheesy garlic rolls is that the cheese and butter is actually rolled up into the dough, much like a cinnamon roll. This is how The Pizza Cookery made them and that's why there is cheese in every bite. Roll the dough into a big rectangle, brush it with butter, sprinkle it with cheese, and roll it up. No need to seal the edge.
Roll up the dough with cheese and garlic inside.
Then, cut the rolled up dough into 12 pieces.
Place the pieces in a greased cast iron skillet, then brush the tops with melted butter and garlic.
Next, sprinkle with cheese and they are ready for the oven.
Bake at 400˚F
Bake the cheesy garlic rolls at 400˚F until golden brown, about 20 minutes in a conventional oven. I cooked them in a wood-fired oven that was a bit hotter so they cooked a little faster.
Bake for 20 minutes at 400°F.
Cheesy garlic rolls after 12 minutes in a wood-fired oven.
Garlic rolls coming out of a wood-fired oven.
These cheesy garlic rolls are ready to serve.
Substitutions
The rolls in this recipe were made with parmesan and asiago cheeses. Other hard cheeses like pecorino romano and grana padano would also work well.
Equipment
While these rolls were cooked in a wood-fired oven, a conventional oven will work and is a lot easier to control. Simply prepare the rolls the same way and bake them in an oven.
Storage
Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Top Tip
Do your best to stretch the dough into a rectangle. It needs to be a rectangle shape to roll it up into a log. If the dough ends up being more of an oval, just cutoff some of the dough on both short ends to make it a rectangle.
As the golden brown Cheesy Garlic Rolls come out of the oven, take a moment to enjoy the comfort and joy that only homemade baked goods can provide. These rolls serve as a reminder that sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. The combination of garlic-infused butter and the blend of two different cheeses creates a dinner roll that is unforgettable. Enjoy!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe.
📖 Recipe
Garlic Cheese Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g all purpose flour (scant 4 cups)
- .5 gr instant dried yeast (⅛ tsp)
- 11 g fine sea salt (1 tsp)
- 350 g water (1 ½ cups at 100 degrees F)
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ cup Asiago cheese grated
Instructions
- Place the water and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and swirl until salt is dissolved. Add the yeast and let it soak for 30 seconds, then swirl to dissolve. Add the flour and mix using the paddle attachment until combined, about 30 - 45 seconds. Remove the paddle attachment, cover the dough with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Mix the dough using the dough hook for three minutes on the lowest setting, then mix for another three minutes on the next setting. Remove the dough hook, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 2 hours.
- Place the dough in front of you on a flat surface. Pull the dough to the right and left stretching it out about 12 inches. Then fold the right side back over the center of the dough with a ⅓ overlap. Fold the left side over the center with a ⅓ overlap. Turn the dough over and gently form it into a ball. Make sure the seam on the bottom of the dough is closed. Place the dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 6 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Gently roll the dough into a rectangle about ¼” thick. Try to get it as close to a rectangle as possible. Brush melted butter and garlic over the rolled-out dough and top with a sprinkle of both cheeses. Roll up the dough (starting with the long edge), then cut into 12 pieces. Place each piece cut side down (so you can see the curled up dough) in an oiled cast iron skillet or baking pan. Top with more melted butter and grated cheese. Bake until lightly golden brown. Serve with soft whipped butter.
Gary says
I loved Pizza Cookery in Woodland Hills, Northridge, and Santa Monica. Then there was Mike’s Pizza in Panorama City, and they all had these incredible rolls. We’d always take home a dozen, freeze then, and wave them for a midweek treat. One little thing: where’s the garlic?
Dave says
I’ve been to the Pizza Cookery in Woodland Hills. Those rolls were phenomenal!!! You’re right about the garlic. I feel a “redo” coming on…
Gary Brown says
Making the Cheesy Garlic Rolls today. I noticed the doe was sticky coming out of the bowl and off the cutting board. I might flour the board, rolling pin, and my hands in the next step, the roll out and cut. My mouth is watering already.
Molly says
I’m so excited I’m going to make these today. I’m cheating with store bought dough. I just saw a video on Pizza Cookery’s insta. They use garlic powder and it looks like less butter, but the rest of the technique looks spot on!!! I’m going to use butter and garlic powder. I’ll post a review when I’m done. Super stoked. I’ve been craving these rolls for 13 years since I moved from Woodland Hills. It was my Friday night usual.
Molly says
Okay JUST finished my first roll. AMAZING I did use the garlic powder and store bought pizza dough. Like the author said they’re not a clone of the Pizza Cookery but I’ll tell you what these are so darned good!!!! They’re the next best thing I’ve had. Seriously amazing. I can’t wait to try the dough recipe that’s here. I was just too short on time and REALLY wanted to try these.
dvscott902 says
I'm so glad you liked it! Let me know when you try the dough.