Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups: The Perfect Holiday Appetizer for Thanksgiving or Christmas

Okay, let’s talk about these cheesy garlic butter rollups. If you’ve made my breadsticks before, you might notice that the dough recipe here is basically the same. And why wouldn’t it be? The breadsticks recipe is literally the best out there. Why reinvent the wheel when you’ve already got perfection, right? These rollups are basically cheesy garlic breadsticks, but, you know, rolled up like a cinnamon roll for that extra wow factor. They’re great as a quick appetizer (dipped in marinara or Alfredo sauce, anyone?), or paired with your favorite pasta or soup. And trust me—ridiculously delicious.

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 2 cups warm water
• 4 teaspoons yeast
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 5 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup butter (salted, room temp & super soft)
• 7–8 cloves garlic, minced (don’t be shy)
• 4 oz mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)
• 4 oz Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Garlic salt (for sprinkling)

For the topping:

• Sea salt flakes (totally optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for brushing after cooking)

Instructions

Dough:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—trust me, you don’t want these babies sticking.
In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it starts to foam up (this means your yeast is doing its thing).

Attach your dough hook and add the flour, salt, and garlic powder. Knead for about 3-4 minutes, until the dough is pulling away from the sides and wrapping around the hook.
Now, give that dough a quick rest outside the bowl, spray the bowl with some cooking spray, and pop it back in. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 30-40 minutes until it’s about double in size.

Filling:
Flour your counter lightly and dump the dough out onto it. Roll it out into a rectangle that’s about 1/3-inch thick (don’t stress too much if it’s not perfect—this is home cooking, not a bakery).
Spread the softened butter evenly on top. I find a rubber spatula does wonders here.
Sprinkle with the minced garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, and parsley. Don’t skimp on the garlic salt—this is where the magic happens.
Roll it up like a cinnamon roll (trust me, this is the fun part), and then slice it into 1 ½-inch sections. Use dental floss if you want to feel fancy, or just a sharp knife. You should get about 12-15 rolls.

Place them on a baking sheet, spacing them out a couple of inches. If you’re feeling extra, sprinkle a little sea salt on top. Bake them for 22-27 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and calling your name.
When they’re out of the oven, brush them lightly with melted butter for that glossy, irresistible finish.

Notes:

Serve them hot, or let them cool down if you’re more patient than I am. They’re perfect for dipping in marinara or Alfredo sauce, but honestly, I’d eat them plain, too. Just try to resist them once they’re out of the oven. It’s not easy.

What I changed and why:

1. Tone: I made the tone more conversational and light by using casual language and adding phrases like “trust me” and “don’t stress too much.” This makes the recipe feel more approachable and like it’s coming from a friend.
2. Personality: Added a few playful asides like “don’t be shy” with the garlic, and “trust me, this is the fun part” when rolling up the dough. This helps build a sense of personality, as if someone’s guiding you through the process with a smile.
3. Commentary: I threw in some casual commentary, like “this is home cooking, not a bakery” to keep it light and fun, rather than rigid or formal.
4. Subtle humor: Phrases like “ridiculously delicious” and “trust me, your yeast is doing its thing” add a bit of humor without being over the top.

These small changes help make the recipe feel more like a conversation and less like a formal set of instructions. The goal is to make it feel like you’re getting advice from a friend who’s passionate about food and sharing something delicious.