Description

Maple bacon cinnamon rolls combine flaky, buttery dough with warm cinnamon sugar, smoky bacon, and a rich maple glaze, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. These soft, tender rolls have a slightly crisp exterior and are versatile enough for breakfast or dessert. Easy to customize and guaranteed to impress family and guests, they deliver a comforting, delicious experience in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
6–8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and chopped (reserve some for garnish)
Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for nutty variation)
Optional: pinch of nutmeg or cardamom (for spiced variation)

Maple Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1–2 tbsp milk or cream
Reserved cooked bacon pieces for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Activate the yeast by combining it with warm milk and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit until bubbly, about 5-10 minutes. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and brown sugar. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and melted butter. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
Cook the Bacon: While the dough rises, cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels to remove excess fat, then chop into small pieces, reserving some for garnish.
Roll Out and Fill: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle about 16×12 inches. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough. Mix brown sugar with cinnamon (and optional spices if using) then sprinkle evenly across the buttered dough. Scatter chopped bacon (and optional nuts) over the filling. Carefully roll the dough tightly into a log starting from the long edge.
Slice and Arrange: Cut the dough log into 12 equal-sized rolls using a sharp knife. Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving space between each. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Bake Until Golden: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Watch closely to prevent over-browning.
Prepare Maple Glaze and Serve: While rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk or cream until smooth. Drizzle warm glaze over freshly baked rolls. Sprinkle reserved bacon pieces on top. Serve warm.

Notes

Use fresh yeast and pure maple syrup for the best authentic flavor.
Allow the dough to rise twice for fluffy, soft rolls.
Keep milk warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
Roll dough to an even rectangle for uniform rolls.
Remove rolls from oven as soon as they turn golden to retain moisture.
For vegan version, substitute dairy and eggs with plant-based options and use maple-flavored coconut bacon.
For less sweetness, reduce brown sugar in filling or skip glaze.
Store rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat in oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes or microwave covered with a damp paper towel.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 300 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 7 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: maple bacon cinnamon rolls, sweet and savory rolls, cinnamon rolls, breakfast rolls, bacon rolls, maple glaze, gluten-free cinnamon rolls