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Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls are a sweet and savory treat combining the best of both worlds. These soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls are infused with the rich flavors of bourbon, maple syrup, and crispy bacon, all topped with a creamy maple bourbon glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls offer the ideal balance of salty, sweet, and smoky flavors.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Candied Bacon:

1 lb thick-cut bacon
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons bourbon
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

For the Dough:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup water
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup whole milk (room temperature)
1 large egg (room temperature)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
Tangzhong (flour and water paste)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2/3 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup candied bacon strips

For the Bourbon Maple Frosting:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2–1 teaspoon bourbon
1/2 cup candied bacon strips (for topping)

Directions

Candy the Bacon:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay bacon strips on the pan and top with a mixture of brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, and cracked black pepper.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until crispy, then transfer to a wire rack to cool before chopping into pieces.
Make the Tangzhong:
- Whisk together flour and water in a saucepan, cook over medium heat until it forms a thick paste, then set aside.
Prepare the Dough:
- In a stand mixer, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add milk, egg, and tangzhong. Knead the dough for 2 minutes, then add softened butter in small increments while continuing to knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Let the Dough Rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Assemble the Rolls:
- Roll out the dough into a 15×18-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the dough and sprinkle with crumbled candied bacon.
- Cut into 12 strips, roll each into a cinnamon roll, and place them into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Let rise for another hour.
Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C). Bake the rolls for 24-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly.
Make the Frosting:
- Beat together butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon until smooth. Frost the warm rolls and top with extra candied bacon pieces.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 817 kcal
Carbohydrates: 72g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 56g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 96mg
Sodium: 238mg
Potassium: 145mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 40g
Vitamin A: 570 IU
Calcium: 63mg
Iron: 2mg

The Candied Bacon: Sweet, Smoky, and Crispy

The candied bacon is the star ingredient in this recipe, offering a savory, sweet, and smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon rolls. To make the candied bacon, thick-cut bacon strips are topped with a mixture of brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, and cracked black pepper, then baked until crispy and caramelized.

The bourbon adds a subtle depth and warmth to the sweetness of the maple syrup and brown sugar, while the black pepper gives the bacon a slight kick. Once baked, the bacon is transferred to a wire rack to cool before being chopped into small pieces. These pieces will be scattered throughout the rolls and used as a topping, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor.

The Tangzhong: A Soft and Fluffy Dough

The dough for these cinnamon rolls is made using a method called tangzhong, which involves cooking a flour and water paste to help retain moisture in the dough. This technique results in incredibly soft and fluffy rolls that stay fresh for longer. To make the tangzhong, simply whisk together flour and water in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until it thickens into a paste. Let it cool before adding it to the rest of the dough ingredients.

Once the tangzhong is ready, it is combined with flour, sugar, yeast, salt, milk, and egg to form a smooth, elastic dough. Softened butter is added incrementally while kneading the dough, which should take about 8-10 minutes. The dough is then covered and allowed to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about an hour.

Assembling the Cinnamon Rolls: Sweet, Savory, and Cinnamon-Spiced

Once the dough has risen, it is rolled out into a 15×18-inch rectangle, and the cinnamon sugar filling is spread evenly over the dough. The filling is made from a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, which is the classic base for any cinnamon roll. To make these rolls extra special, the candied bacon is sprinkled over the cinnamon sugar, giving the rolls a savory twist that complements the sweet filling.

The dough is then cut into 12 strips, each of which is rolled into a cinnamon roll and placed in a greased 9×13-inch pan. The rolls are left to rise again for about an hour, allowing them to puff up before baking.

Baking the Rolls: Golden Brown and Fluffy

The rolls are baked at 325°F (162°C) for 24-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The tangzhong dough ensures that the rolls remain soft and fluffy on the inside while developing a golden, slightly crisp exterior. The smell of cinnamon and maple wafts through the kitchen as they bake, making it impossible to resist.

Once baked, the rolls are allowed to cool slightly before being frosted with the creamy maple bourbon glaze.

The Maple Bourbon Frosting: Creamy and Irresistible

The frosting for these cinnamon rolls is a rich and creamy mixture of butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon. The butter and cream cheese are beaten together until smooth, then maple syrup and bourbon are added to create a luscious, flavorful glaze.

This frosting is spread generously over the warm rolls, melting into the soft dough and adding a rich, creamy texture that ties together the sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. The rolls are then topped with extra candied bacon pieces for added crunch and flavor.

Serving Suggestions: A Perfect Breakfast or Dessert

Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk for a comforting treat. These rolls are also great for holiday breakfasts, special occasions, or as a fun and indulgent treat to share with friends and family.

For an extra indulgent touch, you can serve these cinnamon rolls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of extra maple syrup.

Nutritional Information: A Decadent Treat

Each serving of Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls contains approximately 817 calories, making them a rich and indulgent treat. The rolls provide 56g of fat, including 26g of saturated fat, due to the butter, cream cheese, and bacon. While these rolls are high in fat, they also offer 8g of protein, mainly from the dough, bacon, and cream cheese.

With 72g of carbohydrates and 40g of sugar, these cinnamon rolls are definitely a sweet indulgence. However, the 2g of fiber helps to balance out the sugar content, and the rolls also provide 570 IU of vitamin A, 63mg of calcium, and 5mg of iron.

Conclusion: A Sweet and Savory Fall-Inspired Treat

Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, offering a rich, indulgent treat that’s perfect for any special occasion or as a fun weekend breakfast. The soft, fluffy dough paired with the crispy candied bacon, cinnamon sugar filling, and creamy maple bourbon frosting creates a flavor profile that’s irresistible.

Whether you’re serving these rolls for a holiday brunch or as a special dessert, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The balance of sweet, smoky, and slightly boozy flavors makes these cinnamon rolls a unique and delicious twist on a classic favorite.