Name: Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream, divided; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided; 4 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons honey, divided; 1 (2 1/4-teaspoon) packet rapid rise yeast; 3 1/4 cups (390 g) all-purpose flour, sifted; 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; Cooking spray; 2 large eggs, divided; 6 ounces goat cheese, room temperature; 2 tablespoons sliced chives, plus more for topping; 2 teaspoons thyme leaves, chopped, plus whole leaves for topping; Flaky sea salt

If you’ve been hunting for a show-stopping yet cozy baked treat, you’ve got to try my Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe. I absolutely love how these rolls come out—soft, buttery, and bursting with a savory, herbaceous goat cheese filling that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, a fancy appetizer, or just because you deserve a bite of something extraordinary, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and surprisingly easy to master. Stick with me here—I’ll walk you through every step so you’ll nail it on your very first go!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich & Buttery Texture: The blend of cream, butter, and honey creates rolls so tender and flavorful your family will gobble them up instantly.
Herby, Tangy Filling: The goat cheese combined with chives and thyme adds a delightful burst of fresh, savory goodness.
Impressive Yet Simple: Don’t be intimidated—this recipe is straightforward, with step-by-step tips to help you succeed.
Perfect Party Pleaser: These rolls are as stunning on a holiday platter as they are comforting during a family dinner.

The image shows a close-up of a single soft bread roll that is partly torn open, revealing a creamy white filling mixed with small green herbs inside. The bread has a golden brown crust on top with a shiny finish and is fluffy and light cream-colored inside. Small crumbs and herb pieces are scattered around the bread on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls, goat cheese stuffed bread rolls, savory stuffed dinner rolls, herb-filled goat cheese rolls, easy goat cheese bread

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe come together beautifully to create those soft, fluffy rolls with a rich filling. Each component plays an important role, and I’ll share some tips so you can shop smart and get the best results.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of water, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl with fresh rapid rise yeast granules, a small white ceramic bowl filled with coarse kosher salt, a round portion of soft white goat cheese, a small bunch of fresh green chives with a few sliced chives scattered beside them, fresh thyme sprigs alongside chopped thyme leaves in a small white bowl, and a small white ceramic bowl of flaky sea salt, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls, goat cheese stuffed bread rolls, savory stuffed dinner rolls, herb-filled goat cheese rolls, easy goat cheese bread

Water: Just warm enough to activate the yeast—don’t use hot water or you’ll kill it!
Heavy Cream: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough; looks for full-fat cream for best flavor.
Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness—softened butter mixes better into the dough.
Honey: Provides a subtle sweetness and helps with browning the crust to a lovely golden color.
Rapid Rise Yeast: Speeds up the proofing time so you don’t have to wait all day—make sure it’s fresh for a good rise.
All-Purpose Flour: Sifted to ensure your dough is light and free of lumps.
Kosher Salt: Adds flavor and enhances the other ingredients—remember it’s coarser than table salt.
Cooking Spray: To grease your bowls and pans, preventing sticking and helping dough rise evenly.
Eggs: Provide color, structure, and richness to the dough and egg wash.
Goat Cheese: The star of the filling—room temperature goat cheese spreads beautifully and melts with a tangy kick.
Sliced Chives: Freshness and a mild oniony note that pairs wonderfully with goat cheese.
Thyme Leaves: Both chopped inside and whole on top—the earthy herb elevates the flavor.
Flaky Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top for that extra crunch and salt burst after baking.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on the occasion or what’s on hand. Feel free to customize the filling or add your favorite flavors—you’ll find each variation keeps things exciting and delicious.

Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato: I once stirred in sautéed spinach and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes with the goat cheese for a vibrant, Mediterranean twist that my friends raved about.
Walnuts or Pine Nuts: Toast some nuts and add them to the filling for extra crunch and depth—it’s a simple upgrade that’s so worth it.
Herb Swaps: If you’re not a thyme fan, try rosemary or basil to change up the herbal notes.
Vegan Version: I haven’t tried this myself yet, but you might explore vegan cream alternatives and plant-based cheese options—just know the dough texture might vary.

How to Make Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Bloom the Yeast and Melt the Butter Mixture

Start by warming up your water, half the cream, butter, and honey in the microwave. I use 15-second intervals to avoid overheating, stirring in between until the butter’s nearly melted. Once it’s all melted and mixed, cool the mixture down to around 110°F before adding the yeast—this is crucial because too hot and the yeast dies, too cold and it won’t activate. After sprinkling the yeast in, give it a gentle whisk and let it bloom for about 10 minutes; you’ll see it get frothy—that’s your green light to proceed.

Step 2: Incorporate Eggs and Flour into the Dough

Once the yeast is bubbly, add in 1 whole egg plus 1 egg yolk, saving the white for later. I beat these in on low first, then gradually add the sifted flour mixed with salt in small batches. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook here makes life so much easier—you’ll blend everything until the dough turns smooth, elastic, and just a bit sticky, which usually takes about 4 minutes on medium speed. If you don’t have a mixer, knead by hand until soft and springy, but expect it to take a good 8-10 minutes.

Step 3: Let Your Dough Rise

Spray a clean large bowl with cooking spray to stop sticking, then scrape your dough in. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set it somewhere warm to proof. I like to let mine rise for about an hour until it’s nicely doubled—if it’s chilly in your kitchen, give it a little boost by placing the bowl in an oven warmed to around 90°F (then turned off). This rise is what makes your rolls fluffy and light, so don’t rush it.

Step 4: Prepare the Goat Cheese Filling

While the dough is doing its thing, mix your goat cheese with chives, thyme, a bit more honey, and salt. I like to chill this mixture so it firms up slightly, making it easier to portion out into equal balls. About one heaping tablespoon per ball does the trick—keeping the filling consistent helps the rolls bake evenly.

Step 5: Shape, Fill, and Bake the Rolls

After your dough rises, punch it down gently (this feels so satisfying, doesn’t it?) and divide it into nine equal balls. Flatten each piece, place a ball of your goat cheese mixture in the center, then seal the dough around it and shape back into a smooth ball. Arrange the stuffed rolls in a greased baking pan, then brush generously with a wash made from the reserved egg white and cream—this little step gives you that glossy, golden finish you see in bakery rolls. Don’t forget to sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking at 400°F for about 25-28 minutes, until browned and crispy on top.

Step 6: Finish with Butter and Herbs

Right after baking, brush the warm rolls with melted butter and sprinkle fresh thyme and chives over them. This final touch is my secret to layering even more flavor and making them irresistible. Let them cool just a little—you want that gooey cheese inside without burning your tongue—and then dig in!

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Pro Tips for Making Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe

Perfect Yeast Activation: Always check your yeast is fresh and water temperature is around 110°F—too hot or cold kills the yeast or delays rising.
Keep Filling Chilled: Chilling the goat cheese mix helps it stay inside the dough without oozing out during baking.
Don’t Over-flour: You want the dough slightly sticky—not stiff—for softer rolls after baking.
Avoid Over-baking: Pull the rolls out as soon as they’re golden—overbaking dries them, and that buttery softness disappears.

How to Serve Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe

A close-up of golden brown dinner rolls baked together in a white tray; the rolls have a soft, shiny top sprinkled with coarse salt and small green herb pieces. One roll is pulled open, showing a fluffy, light yellow inside filled with creamy white cheese mixed with green herbs. The texture of the bread looks soft and pillowy, and the herbs add a fresh touch to the warm bread. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls, goat cheese stuffed bread rolls, savory stuffed dinner rolls, herb-filled goat cheese rolls, easy goat cheese bread

Garnishes

I love adding extra fresh thyme and chopped chives right before serving—not only do they add color, but their fresh herbal aroma takes the rolls to the next level. A little flaky sea salt on top adds that perfect crunch, too. For a touch of elegance, I sometimes sprinkle a tiny drizzle of honey or a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper.

Side Dishes

These rolls pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad, some roasted veggies, or a warm soup—especially tomato basil or butternut squash. I’ve even served them alongside smoked meats for a brunch spread, and everyone loved how the tangy goat cheese balanced heartier flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like placing the rolls close together in a round pan and baking them as pull-apart rolls—this makes serving easy and they look beautiful when arranged in a wreath shape. You can even sprinkle edible flowers or colorful herbs for a festive table centerpiece. Trust me, everyone will be impressed!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover rolls tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They tend to be best the first day, but I’ve found reheating them gently brings back much of their fresh-baked magic.

Freezing

These rolls freeze really well if you want to prepare ahead. I recommend freezing them unbaked—shape and fill, then place the rolls on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. You can also freeze baked rolls for up to one month; just keep them wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating

For leftovers, I gently warm the rolls in a 325°F oven for 8-10 minutes, brushing with a little melted butter again if you want them extra shiny and soft on the outside. Microwave reheating can work in a pinch, but you’ll lose some of that crisp crust, which is why I prefer the oven method for best texture.

FAQs

Can I use regular yeast instead of rapid rise yeast for the Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe?

Yes, you can! Just keep in mind regular yeast takes longer to proof, so you’ll need to let the dough rise until doubled in size, which could take 1.5 to 2 hours instead of about an hour. The texture and flavor will still be excellent.
What’s the best way to prevent the goat cheese filling from leaking out during baking?

Chilling the filling before assembling helps it hold its shape better. Make sure you pinch the dough seams tightly when enclosing the filling and shape the rolls into smooth balls. Avoid overfilling to maintain the perfect seal.
How can I make these rolls vegan?

While I haven’t tested a vegan version myself, you can experiment with plant-based butter and cream alternatives, and try a vegan cream cheese or cashew-based cheese in place of goat cheese. Keep in mind the dough texture and flavor may differ, so start with small batches.
Can I prepare the dough in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before, let it rise once, then cover it well and refrigerate overnight. The next day, shape, fill, and bake as usual—this slow fermentation often improves flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to make when I want to impress without stress. The way the tender dough melts around the creamy, herbed cheese filling feels like a warm hug from the oven every time. If you try it, I’m pretty sure you’ll find yourself making these rolls again and again—not just for special occasions but for everyday moments when you crave something truly satisfying. Give it a go, and let me know how your kitchen smells afterward—you’re in for a serious treat!