Hey y'all! If you love decadent breakfasts or spectacular sweet treats, you're in for a wild ride with The Ultimate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls. Imagine pillowy-soft cinnamon rolls, gooey maple-bourbon glaze, and crispy bacon all coming together in a single bite—this is comfort food at its absolute finest. These rolls are perfect for weekend brunches, holidays, or anytime you want to impress a crowd (or just yourself!). Let's get cooking!

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Why You'll Love This

Incredible Layers of Flavor: Smoky bacon, sticky maple glaze, and a touch of bourbon make every bite unforgettable.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy brunch, holiday breakfast, or midnight snack, these rolls are always a hit.
Pillowy Soft Texture: The homemade dough bakes up light, fluffy, and irresistible.
Easy to Make Ahead: Prepare the night before and bake fresh in the morning!
Showstopper Presentation: Drizzled glaze and crispy bacon garnish make these look as amazing as they taste.

Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ teaspoon fine kosher salt
8 slices thick-cut bacon
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
¼ cup pure maple syrup (for filling)
2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup pure maple syrup (for glaze)
2 tablespoon bourbon
2 tablespoon whole milk (for glaze)
Pinch of sea salt (for glaze)
Extra crumbled bacon and maple syrup, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Prep the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Add melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, and salt. Stir to combine.
Gradually mix in flour, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Knead by hand or with a mixer (dough hook) for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Cook the Bacon

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange bacon slices in a single layer.
Bake 15-20 minutes, or until crispy. Drain on paper towels and roughly chop 6 slices. Reserve 2 slices for garnish.

Shape and Fill the Rolls

Punch down risen dough and roll out on a floured surface into a 16x12-inch rectangle.
Spread softened butter evenly over the surface, then drizzle with ¼ cup maple syrup.
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
Top with chopped bacon.
Starting from the long edge, tightly roll up the dough. Slice into 12 even rolls.
Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes—meanwhile, reduce oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the Rolls

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-28 minutes until golden brown and centers are cooked through.
Cool rolls for 10-15 minutes.

Make the Bourbon Maple Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar, ¼ cup maple syrup, bourbon, milk, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and pourable.
Drizzle glaze generously over warm rolls. Garnish with reserved bacon and extra maple syrup, if desired.

Notes

If your kitchen is chilly, let the dough rise in an oven with just the light on for a cozy environment.
Make sure bacon is extra-crispy for the best texture contrast in the rolls.
The rolls are even tastier if you make them the night before and bake fresh in the morning!

Variations

Pecan Maple Bacon Rolls: Add ½ cup chopped toasted pecans to the filling for extra crunch.
Spiced Pumpkin Bacon Rolls: Swap ½ cup pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice for the filling's maple syrup and cinnamon.
Non-Alcoholic Maple Bacon Rolls: Replace the bourbon in the glaze with 2 extra tablespoons milk and a splash of vanilla extract.

Required Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
Rolling pin
9x13-inch baking dish
Baking sheet
Foil
Paper towels
Whisk

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving. For longer storage, freeze tightly wrapped rolls (without glaze) for up to 2 months.

Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations

Serve warm with strong coffee or a bold bourbon cocktail.
Pair with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a complete brunch.
Top with an extra drizzle of maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar for a true bakery-style finish.

Pro Tips

Use room temperature eggs to help the dough rise higher and become fluffier.
Don’t overflour your surface when rolling out the dough—too much flour makes rolls dense.
Let the glaze cool rolls just a bit before glazing so it doesn't slide right off.

FAQ

Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?: Absolutely! Assemble the rolls (unbaked) and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temp for 30 minutes before baking in the morning.
Is there a way to make these rolls without alcohol?: Yes—simply substitute the bourbon with extra milk and a bit of vanilla. You’ll still get plenty of rich flavor!
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?: Yes, just skip the proofing step and mix instant yeast right into the dry ingredients.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Rise time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Bake time: 25-28 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes