Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

If you've never tried Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls, you're missing out on the ultimate sweet and savory breakfast experience. These aren't your ordinary cinnamon rolls; they combine soft, fluffy brioche dough with crispy bacon pieces and a rich maple glaze that creates the perfect balance of flavors. I discovered Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls during a weekend brunch experiment, and they've become my go-to recipe whenever I want to impress guests or treat my family to something special.

What makes Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls so irresistible is how the smoky, salty bacon complements the sweet cinnamon filling and maple glaze. This recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring just basic ingredients and about 45 minutes of active cooking time. Whether you're planning a holiday brunch or just want to make your weekend mornings more exciting, these Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls deliver restaurant-quality results right from your own kitchen.

The Perfect Marriage of Sweet and Savory Flavors

Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls have taken the breakfast world by storm, and for good reason. This recipe transforms traditional cinnamon rolls by adding crispy bacon and maple glaze, creating a dessert-meets-breakfast dish that satisfies every craving. The combination originated from the popular trend of pairing bacon with sweet dishes, and it's become a staple at trendy brunch spots across the country. When you bite into these rolls, you get soft, pillowy dough, warm cinnamon sugar, crunchy bacon bits, and that signature maple sweetness all in one delicious package.

These Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls pair wonderfully with hot coffee or fresh orange juice for a complete breakfast spread. They're also perfect alongside scrambled eggs or a fruit salad when you're hosting a bigger brunch gathering. The recipe works beautifully for holidays like Christmas morning, Mother's Day brunch, or even as a special birthday breakfast. Once you master this bacon maple cinnamon rolls recipe, you'll find yourself making it for every special occasion.

Jump to:

• The Perfect Marriage of Sweet and Savory Flavors
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• The Secret to Extra Fluffy Rolls
• FAQ
• Breakfast Dreams Come True
• Related
• Pairing
• Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

For the Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Active yeast
• Warm milk
• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Salt

For the Filling

• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Softened butter
• Cooked bacon, crumbled

For the Maple Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Pure maple syrup
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Mix the warm milk, sugar, and active yeast in a large bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy
2. Add the melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir well
3. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes

Pro tip: If your kitchen is cold, turn your oven to the lowest setting for 1 minute, turn it off, then place your covered bowl inside to rise.

Step 2: Create the Filling

1. Cook your bacon until crispy in a skillet over medium heat, then crumble it into small pieces
2. Roll out the risen dough into a 12x16 inch rectangle on a floured surface
3. Spread the softened butter evenly across the entire surface of the dough
4. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle it uniformly over the buttered dough
5. Scatter the crumbled bacon pieces across the cinnamon-sugar layer
6. Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape

Expert tip: Use unflavored dental floss to cut perfect rolls; slide it under the log, cross the ends, and pull tight for clean slices.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

1. Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss
2. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, leaving a small gap between each
3. Cover the pan with a towel and let the rolls rise for another 15 minutes
4. Preheat your oven to 375°F while the rolls are rising
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the centers are cooked through

Important note: Don't overbake or your Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls will become dry; they should be just golden on top.

Step 4: Finish with Maple Glaze

1. While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract
2. Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes
3. Drizzle the maple glaze generously over the warm rolls
4. For extra indulgence, sprinkle a few more bacon crumbles on top
5. Serve immediately while they're still warm and the glaze is melty

Expert Cooking Tips

Getting your maple bacon cinnamon roll recipe just right requires a few insider tricks. First, always check your yeast's expiration date; old yeast won't rise properly, and you'll end up with dense, flat rolls instead of fluffy ones. When measuring flour, spoon it into your measuring cup rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can pack in too much flour and make your dough tough.

Temperature matters more than you think:

• Milk should be between 105-115°F; too hot kills the yeast, too cold won't activate it
• Let your butter soften to room temperature naturally for the filling; microwaving makes it too melty
• Cool bacon slightly before crumbling to prevent it from making the dough greasy

Texture tips that make a difference:

• Knead the dough until it's smooth and springs back when poked; under-kneaded dough creates uneven texture
• Roll your dough as evenly as possible so all rolls bake at the same rate
• Don't skip the second rise after cutting; it makes the rolls extra fluffy

Flavor enhancements:

• Use thick-cut bacon for better texture and more pronounced smoky flavor
• Real maple syrup makes a huge difference compared to pancake syrup
• Add a pinch of nutmeg to your cinnamon filling for extra warmth

The secret to making bacon maple cinnamon rolls that taste professional is patience during the rising stages. Rushing this process results in dense, heavy rolls instead of light, pillowy perfection.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

One of the best things about this bacon maple cinnamon rolls recipe is how easily you can customize it. For a bourbon maple bacon cinnamon rolls version, add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to your maple glaze for a sophisticated, adult twist that's perfect for special brunches. The alcohol cooks off slightly, leaving just a subtle warmth that complements the maple beautifully.

Dietary modifications:

• Gluten-free: Replace regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend; the texture will be slightly denser but still delicious
• Vegan: Use plant-based butter, flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon water per egg), and non-dairy milk; substitute bacon with coconut bacon or tempeh bacon
• Lower sugar: Reduce the brown sugar in the filling to ⅓ cup and use sugar-free maple syrup in the glaze

Creative flavor twists:

• Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts along with the bacon for added crunch
• Add a layer of cream cheese frosting under the maple glaze for double indulgence
• Mix in a tablespoon of coffee grounds with the cinnamon for a mocha-bacon variation
• Try using candied bacon instead of regular bacon for an extra sweet-savory contrast

Make it easier with shortcuts:

• Use store-bought pizza dough or crescent roll dough if you're short on time
• Pre-cooked bacon saves about 10 minutes of prep work
• Prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight

These maple bacon breakfast pastries adapt beautifully to whatever ingredients you have on hand, making them a flexible recipe you can customize for any taste preference or dietary need.

Equipment Recommendations

Having the right tools makes preparing your Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls much easier. A stand mixer with a dough hook attachment is ideal for kneading, though you can absolutely do it by hand if you don't have one; it just takes a bit more arm work. Use a heavy-duty baking sheet or 9x13 inch pan for even heat distribution; thin pans cause uneven baking and burnt bottoms.

Essential tools:

• Rolling pin; a French-style pin without handles gives you better control
• Sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for cutting clean roll slices
• Pastry brush for spreading butter evenly
• Mixing bowls in various sizes
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap for covering rising dough

Nice-to-have items:

• Bench scraper for easy dough handling and cleanup
• Digital kitchen thermometer to check milk temperature accurately
• Cooling rack to prevent soggy bottoms
• Pastry blender for working butter into dry ingredients if making a different dough variation

For cooking the bacon that goes in your maple bacon cinnamon roll recipe, a cast-iron skillet works perfectly and creates crispy, evenly cooked strips. If you prefer less mess, bake the bacon in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes instead.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Proper storage keeps your Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls fresh and delicious for days. After the rolls have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The bacon stays crispy, and the rolls remain soft when stored this way. For longer storage, refrigerate them in a covered container for up to 5 days.

Freezing instructions:

• Before baking: Prepare the rolls through step 3 (cutting and arranging in the pan), then wrap the entire pan tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil; freeze for up to 3 months
• After baking: Let the rolls cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag; they'll keep for 2 months
• Reheating: Thaw frozen unbaked rolls overnight in the refrigerator, let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed
• For baked rolls: Microwave individual rolls for 20-30 seconds or warm the entire pan in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes

Meal prep strategies:

• Make the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator for maximum flavor development
• Pre-cook bacon in bulk and freeze crumbled portions for quick future batches
• Prepare the glaze ahead and store it in the fridge; just warm it slightly before drizzling

The maple glaze is best made fresh, but you can prepare it up to 3 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a good whisk before using. These bacon maple sweet rolls taste best when served warm, so always reheat them before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven experience.

FAQ

Breakfast Dreams Come True

Making Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls at home is easier than you think and absolutely worth the effort. This recipe combines simple ingredients and straightforward techniques to create a breakfast treat that rivals anything you'd find at a fancy bakery. The combination of soft, fluffy dough, warm cinnamon, crispy bacon, and sweet maple glaze creates layers of flavor that make every bite memorable.

These Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for weekend mornings, holiday gatherings, or anytime you want to make breakfast feel special. Once you've mastered this recipe, try our Cinnamon Roll Pancake Recipe for another creative twist on cinnamon roll flavors, or check out our Breakfast Egg Rolls Recipe for a savory breakfast option. Both recipes deliver that same wow factor and are just as fun to make.

Bringing sweet and savory magic to your kitchen, one roll at a time! 🥓; Emily

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls recipe: