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Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Featured in: Freshly Baked Breads

These gourmet cinnamon rolls combine candied bacon, bourbon maple frosting, and Japanese tangzhong technique for the most indulgent sweet and salty breakfast ever.

Tags: #bacon #cheese

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Clare Greco
Updated on Fri, 13 Jun 2025 11:42:24 GMT
Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls | recipesbyclare.com
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Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls combine fluffy tangzhong dough, cinnamon-brown-sugar filling, candied bacon, and bourbon-maple cream cheese frosting. The method takes time because the bacon, cooked flour paste, enriched dough, and two separate one-hour rises each receive their own stage.

The recipe makes exactly 12 rolls in 250 minutes: 180 minutes of preparation and 70 minutes of cooking. The rolls bake at 325°F for 24–30 minutes after the candied bacon has baked at 375°F for 30–40 minutes.

Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Roll Ingredients

Thick bacon, sugars, maple syrup, bourbon, flour, water, yeast, milk, egg, butter, cinnamon, cream cheese, and powdered sugar
Thick bacon, sugars, maple syrup, bourbon, flour, water, yeast, milk, egg, butter, cinnamon, cream cheese, and powdered sugar | Recipes by Clare
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Candied bacon uses 1 lb thick-cut bacon, ½ cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons bourbon, and 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper.

Tangzhong and dough need ¼ cup flour, ¾ cup water, another 3½ cups properly measured flour, ⅓ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons instant yeast, ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, ½ cup room-temperature whole milk, 1 room-temperature egg, and 4 tablespoons softened butter. Filling uses ½ cup butter, ⅔ cup light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1 cup bacon crumbs. Frosting uses 4 tablespoons butter, 2 oz cream cheese, ¾ cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, ½–1 teaspoon bourbon, and ½ cup bacon strips.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Ultimate 2-Ingredient Biscuits.

How to Make Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Four stages showing candied bacon, tangzhong dough risen, twelve strips rolled in a pan, and twelve baked frosted bacon cinnamon rolls
Four stages showing candied bacon, tangzhong dough risen, twelve strips rolled in a pan, and twelve baked frosted bacon cinnamon rolls | Recipes by Clare
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  1. Candy the bacon at 375°F for 30–40 minutes and cool on a rack.
  2. Cook ¼ cup flour with ¾ cup water for 4–5 minutes; cool.
  3. Mix dry dough ingredients, then egg, milk, and tangzhong; knead 2 minutes.
  4. Add 4 tablespoons butter ½ tablespoon at a time and knead 8–10 minutes.
  5. Rise 1 hour.
  6. Roll to 15×18 inches; spread filling and bacon crumbs, leaving a 1-inch top border.
  7. Cut 12 strips, roll, and rise in a lined 9×13 pan for 1 hour.
  8. Bake at 325°F for 24–30 minutes.
  9. Frost warm rolls and add bacon strips.

For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.

Candy One Pound Thick-Cut Bacon

Cool and Divide the Bacon

Cook the Tangzhong Four to Five Minutes

Start the Enriched Dough

Add Butter Gradually

Complete the First One-Hour Rise

Mix the Cinnamon Filling

Roll to Fifteen by Eighteen Inches

Cut and Roll Twelve Strips

Complete the Second One-Hour Rise

Finished bourbon maple bacon cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting and candied bacon
Finished bourbon maple bacon cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting and candied bacon | recipesbyclare.com
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Bake Twenty-Four to Thirty Minutes

Mix the Bourbon Maple Frosting

Frost Warm and Add Bacon

Respect Both Oven Temperatures

Store and Reheat Gently

Conclusion

Candy 1 lb bacon at 375°F for 30–40 minutes; cool and divide. Cook the flour-water tangzhong 4–5 minutes. Mix and knead dough, adding butter gradually, then rise 1 hour. Roll to 15×18 inches, spread cinnamon filling and 1 cup bacon crumbs, cut 12 strips, roll, and rise another hour in a 9×13 pan. Bake at 325°F for 24–30 minutes. Frost warm rolls with bourbon-maple cream cheese frosting and add reserved bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How many cinnamon rolls does the recipe make?

It makes exactly twelve rolls.

→ What is tangzhong?

It is the paste made by cooking ¼ cup flour with ¾ cup water for 4–5 minutes, helping the rolls stay soft.

→ How long are the two rises?

Both the first dough rise and second shaped-roll rise last 1 hour.

→ How much bourbon goes in the frosting?

Use ½–1 teaspoon according to taste.

4.80 from 89 votes

Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Preparation Time:
180 Minutes
Cook Time:
70 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:
250 Minutes
Number of Servings:
12
Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
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Indulgent cinnamon rolls featuring candied bacon, bourbon maple frosting, and ultra-soft tangzhong dough for the ultimate breakfast treat.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Candied Bacon

  • Tangzhong & Dough

  • Cinnamon Sugar Filling

  • Bourbon Maple Frosting

How to Make It

1.

1. Make the Candied Bacon: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Lay bacon strips on the pan. Mix brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, and black pepper, then spread over bacon. Bake 30-40 minutes until crispy.

2.

2. Cool and Prep Bacon: Transfer bacon to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, cut some into strips for topping (about ½ cup) and chop the rest into crumbs for the filling.

3.

3. Make the Tangzhong: In a small saucepan, whisk together water and ¼ cup flour. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for 4-5 minutes until it becomes a paste-like consistency. Set aside to cool.

4.

4. Start the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add egg, milk, and cooled tangzhong. Knead with dough hook on low for 2 minutes until rough dough forms.

5.

5. Add Butter and Knead: With mixer running on low, add softened butter ½ tablespoon at a time, letting each addition incorporate fully. Continue kneading 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

6.

6. First Rise: Shape dough into a smooth ball and place seam-side down in a buttered bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.

7.

7. Roll and Fill: Roll dough into a 15x18-inch rectangle. Mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Spread over dough, leaving 1-inch border at top. Sprinkle with bacon crumbles.

8.

8. Cut and Shape Rolls: Using a pizza cutter, cut into 12 strips (1½ inches each). Roll each strip away from you and place in a parchment-lined 9x13 pan.

9.

9. Second Rise and Bake: Cover with plastic wrap and rise 1 hour until doubled. Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake 24-30 minutes until tops are golden brown.

10.

10. Make Frosting and Finish: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon to taste. Spread over warm rolls and top with bacon strips.

Extra Information

  1. Measure flour properly using the spoon-level method or a kitchen scale for best results
  2. The tangzhong technique creates incredibly soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls
  3. Watch thinner bacon carefully as it may cook faster than thick-cut
  4. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat before serving

Essential Tools

  • 9x13-inch square edge metal baking pan
  • Stand mixer with dough hook
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Rolling pin
  • Pizza cutter
  • Offset spatula
  • Small saucepan

Allergy Warnings

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten from all-purpose flour
  • Contains dairy from milk, butter, and cream cheese
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains pork from bacon
  • Contains alcohol from bourbon

Nutrition Details (Per Portion)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 485
  • Total Fat: 24 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 52 g
  • Protein: 14 g