Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon
Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon are the ultimate winter treat. After making these many times, I’ve found the secret to perfectly crispy rolls every time. The warm, gooey centers and melty bacon topping will make your home cozy and inviting. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Miso Glazed Eggplant and Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad.
Why This Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy bacon topping for extra crunch
- Gooey maple bourbon glaze for rich flavor
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for holiday brunches or cozy nights in
What You'll Need for Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Active dry yeast
- Milk
- Sugar
- Salt
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter
- Bourbon
- Maple syrup
- Bacon
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Cream cheese
- Optional: Whipped cream
- Optional: Chopped pecans
- Optional: Maple syrup drizzle
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Milk: Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast.
- Bourbon: You can substitute with apple cider or water for a non-alcoholic version.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stand mixer — Makes dough preparation quick and easy → See on Amazon
- Pizza cutter — Cleanly cuts rolls and prevents sticking → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon
- Prepare dough: Combine yeast, warm milk, sugar, and salt. Let it sit until frothy. Add eggs, flour, and butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Let it rise: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare filling: Mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Spread butter over the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly.
- Roll and cut: Roll the dough tightly, then cut into 1-inch slices. Place in a greased baking dish.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prepare glaze: Mix together powdered sugar, cream cheese, maple syrup, and bourbon (or substitute). Drizzle over warm rolls.
- Candied bacon: Cook bacon until crispy, then coat with maple syrup and brown sugar. Bake until caramelized. Crumble and sprinkle over rolls.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon
- Dough tips: Avoid over-kneading the dough to prevent tough rolls.
- Common mistake and fix: If your rolls turn out dry, it's likely due to overbaking. To fix, reduce baking time by 5 minutes.
- Glaze tips: For a thinner glaze, add more maple syrup or bourbon. For a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar.
- Bacon tips: For extra crispy bacon, bake on a wire rack at 400°F (200°C) until crispy.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight.
Freezing Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon
Freeze unbaked rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat rolls in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds for a quick snack.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker rise, place the dough in a warm oven (around 100°F/38°C) with the light on.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cream cheese in the glaze with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the candied bacon up to 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your rolls are not rising, ensure your yeast is fresh and the milk is warm, not hot.
Want to level up this recipe?
Baking sheet — Even heat distribution for perfectly baked rolls → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Active dry yeast
- Milk
- Sugar
- Salt
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter
- Bourbon
- Maple syrup
- Bacon
- Brown sugar
Seasonings
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Cream cheese
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Chopped pecans
- Maple syrup drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare dough: Combine yeast, warm milk, sugar, and salt. Let it sit until frothy. Add eggs, flour, and butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Let it rise: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare filling: Mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Spread butter over the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly.
- Roll and cut: Roll the dough tightly, then cut into 1-inch slices. Place in a greased baking dish.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prepare glaze: Mix together powdered sugar, cream cheese, maple syrup, and bourbon (or substitute). Drizzle over warm rolls.
- Candied bacon: Cook bacon until crispy, then coat with maple syrup and brown sugar. Bake until caramelized. Crumble and sprinkle over rolls.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker rise, place the dough in a warm oven (around 100°F/38°C) with the light on.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cream cheese in the glaze with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the candied bacon up to 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your rolls are not rising, ensure your yeast is fresh and the milk is warm, not hot.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
- Oven reheat: Reheat rolls in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds for a quick snack.
- Make ahead: Prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Or, you can bake the rolls ahead of time and reheat before serving.
Overbaking is the likely cause. To prevent, reduce baking time by 5 minutes.
Yes, freeze unbaked rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
While you can try, the air fryer may not provide the same results as a traditional oven. It's best to stick with the oven method for these rolls.
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
