Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Soft cinnamon rolls wrapped around smoky bacon and finished with a maple glaze hit every note of comfort and indulgence. This recipe takes an ordinary can of cinnamon rolls and turns it into a breakfast or brunch stunner with minimum effort and maximum satisfaction.

My family goes absolutely wild for these whenever I bring them to a weekend brunch. The combination of crispy bacon inside pillowy bread with warm maple glaze feels like a treat you would find at a cozy café rather than your own kitchen.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough: look for a can with included icing for the easiest prep and fluffy results
• Bacon: use thick cut if you want bigger bites or regular for evenly distributed crunch buy the best-quality bacon you can afford
• Brown sugar: gives the bacon a caramelized edge so choose fresh soft sugar with a rich color
• Maple syrup: pure maple syrup transforms the glaze go for Grade A dark for maximum depth and flavor
• Bacon grease: optional for brushing the cake pan to add richness

Each item is chosen to heighten the combination of flavor and texture. Fresh bacon and pure maple syrup will always give you the best outcome.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Bacon:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with foil for quick cleanup. Lay the bacon strips flat so they do not overlap. Bake for 15 minutes so they start to render fat but are not yet crispy.

Glaze and Crisp the Bacon:

Stir together brown sugar and maple syrup until well combined. Take bacon out of the oven carefully brush each strip generously with the brown sugar maple mixture. Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes so the bacon becomes sticky and caramelized with crispy edges.

Cool and Chop the Bacon:

Move bacon to a plate to cool. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the bacon is cool enough to handle chop it finely using a sharp knife. This makes sprinkling and rolling much easier.

Stuff and Shape the Cinnamon Rolls:

Carefully unroll each cinnamon roll strip and sprinkle a portion of chopped bacon along the dough. Roll each back up gently and space them evenly in a well-greased round cake pan. Save about half the bacon bits for topping later.

Bake the Rolls:

Follow the baking time on your cinnamon roll can which is usually about 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The rolls should look golden and puffy.

Mix the Maple Frosting:

Scoop out the frosting that comes with your cinnamon roll can into a bowl and stir in a tablespoon of pure maple syrup. Mix until smooth and creamy for a deeply flavored glaze.

Finish and Serve:

Spread the maple icing over the warm rolls using an offset spatula or spoon. Sprinkle the rest of the caramelized bacon bits all over the top for a glorious finishing touch.

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I absolutely adore the sticky bits of bacon on top because they remind me of Sunday breakfasts growing up the combination of salty and sweet always sparked family debates at the table as to whether one could live without the other

Storage Tips

Keep any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage refrigerate for up to four days then warm in the microwave for about fifteen seconds to restore softness. You can also wrap and freeze the rolls for up to one month—just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not eat pork try turkey bacon or a vegetarian bacon alternative. For the glaze you can swap real maple syrup for honey or even a little golden syrup though maple will give the truest flavor. If you prefer homemade dough you can use your favorite sweet roll base instead of canned.

Serving Suggestions

These rolls pair beautifully with strong coffee or a cold glass of milk. Serve as part of a brunch spread with fresh fruit eggs or even more savory breakfast favorites. They are also a fun addition to a breakfast-for-dinner menu.

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A Little Background

Cinnamon rolls are a beloved breakfast treat across the United States but adding bacon and maple is an unmistakable nod to classic diner breakfasts. In my family this twist started as a fun Mother’s Day surprise and quickly became a holiday tradition that everyone requests each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use homemade dough instead of canned?

Yes, homemade dough works well. Simply roll it out as you would for classic cinnamon rolls, then follow the same filling and baking steps.

→ Can I make this in advance?

Prepare the rolls with bacon filling ahead, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake and glaze the next morning for best texture.

→ Do I need to cook the bacon before adding inside the rolls?

Yes, bake and crisp the bacon with brown sugar and maple syrup, then cool and chop before adding inside the dough for best flavor and texture.

→ What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat rolls in a preheated oven at 300°F for 8-10 minutes to restore softness and keep glaze intact. Microwaving is also fine for a quick option.

→ Can I use turkey bacon for a lighter version?

Turkey bacon is a good alternative. It will be less rich, but still lends a savory-sweet contrast to the maple and cinnamon.