You know those lazy Sunday mornings when you want to feel like you’ve got your life together but also don’t want to spend four hours in the kitchen? These Easy Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls are your answer. We’re talking fluffy, buttery cinnamon rolls with crispy bacon pieces mixed right into the filling, then drizzled with a maple glaze that’ll make you question why you ever settled for regular cinnamon rolls. The best part? We’re using store-bought pizza dough as our secret weapon, so you can skip the whole yeast-rising drama and get straight to the good stuff. My teenage nephew, who usually just grunts at breakfast, took one bite and said, “Can you make these every weekend?” Mission accomplished, my friend.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Store-bought dough means no waiting around for yeast to do its thing
- Bacon + maple + cinnamon = the holy trinity of breakfast flavors
- Ready in under an hour from start to finish
- Impressive enough for brunch guests but easy enough for random Tuesday
- Makes your house smell like a fancy bakery cafe
- Perfect excuse to eat dessert for breakfast
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Dough Situation:
- 1 lb store-bought pizza dough (from the grocery store deli section)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
For the Bacon Magic:
- 8 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup bacon grease (save it from cooking the bacon)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Heaven:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
For the Maple Glaze That Changes Everything:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (don’t you dare use the fake stuff)
- 2-3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Final Touch:
- Extra bacon crumbles for topping
- Flaky sea salt (optional but so good)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Bacon Prep Like a Boss
Cook your bacon until it’s crispy but not burnt. Save that precious bacon grease — we’re going to use it. Crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Try not to eat all of it while you’re working.
Step 2: Dough Magic
Let your pizza dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This makes it way easier to roll out. On a floured surface, roll it into a rectangle about 12×16 inches. Don’t stress about perfect measurements — we’re going for rustic charm here.
Step 3: The Filling That Dreams Are Made Of
Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border at the top. Sprinkle the bacon crumbles over the filling, then drizzle with that saved bacon grease. Yeah, we’re going there.
Step 4: Roll It Up
Starting from the bottom edge, roll the dough up tightly but not so tight that the filling squeezes out. Pinch the seam to seal it. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss (seriously, it works better than a knife), cut into 9-12 rolls depending on how thick you want them.
Step 5: Bake Time
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish or cast iron skillet. Brush the tops with melted butter because we’re not messing around. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 6: Glaze Like Your Life Depends On It
While the rolls are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle. Adjust with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
Step 7: The Grand Finale
Let the rolls cool for about 5 minutes (any longer and you’ll lose your mind), then drizzle with the maple glaze. Top with extra bacon crumbles and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt if you’re feeling fancy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these warm with a strong cup of coffee or cold milk. They’re perfect for lazy weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or any time you want to feel like you’re at a bougie bed and breakfast. Pro tip: take a picture before you dig in because these disappear fast.
Switch It Up
Go Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra crunch.
Apple Pie Vibes: Mix in some diced apples with the bacon for a fall twist.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the cinnamon mixture.
Cream Cheese Glaze: Mix cream cheese into the glaze for extra richness.
Make It Boozy: Add a splash of bourbon to the maple glaze for grown-up vibes.
Lighter Version: Use turkey bacon and reduce the butter (but honestly, why would you?).
Make-Ahead Magic
You can assemble these the night before and keep them covered in the fridge. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze the unbaked rolls for up to 3 months — just thaw overnight and bake as directed.
Pro Tips That’ll Change Your Game
Don’t overwork the dough — pizza dough can get tough if you’re too aggressive.
Room temperature dough is your friend — it rolls out so much easier.
Save some of that bacon grease for the filling — it adds incredible flavor.
If your glaze is too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time until it’s perfect.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I make my own dough? A: You absolutely can, but the whole point here is easy. Store-bought pizza dough is your shortcut to happiness.
Q: What if I can’t find pizza dough? A: Frozen bread dough works too — just thaw according to package directions.
Q: Can I use turkey bacon? A: Sure, but it won’t have the same rich flavor. Regular bacon is really what makes these special.
Q: How do I store leftovers? A: Cover and keep at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Q: Can I freeze these? A: Yep! Freeze the baked rolls without glaze for up to 3 months. Thaw and add fresh glaze before serving.
Q: What’s the best way to cut the rolls? A: Unflavored dental floss works amazingly well and won’t compress the dough like a knife can.
Q: Can I make mini versions? A: Absolutely! Cut smaller rolls and reduce the baking time to 15-20 minutes.
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Easy Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls That’ll Make You a Weekend Hero
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9–12 rolls 1x
Description
You know those lazy Sunday mornings when you want to feel like you’ve got your life together but also don’t want to spend four hours in the kitchen? These Easy Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls are your answer. We’re talking fluffy, buttery cinnamon rolls with crispy bacon pieces mixed right into the filling, then drizzled with a maple glaze that’ll make you question why you ever settled for regular cinnamon rolls. The best part? We’re using store-bought pizza dough as our secret weapon, so you can skip the whole yeast-rising drama and get straight to the good stuff. My teenage nephew, who usually just grunts at breakfast, took one bite and said, “Can you make these every weekend?” Mission accomplished, my friend.
Ingredients
For the Dough Situation:
- 1 lb store-bought pizza dough (from the grocery store deli section)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
For the Bacon Magic:
- 8 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup bacon grease (save it from cooking the bacon)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Heaven:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
For the Maple Glaze That Changes Everything:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (don’t you dare use the fake stuff)
- 2–3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Final Touch:
- Extra bacon crumbles for topping
- Flaky sea salt (optional but so good)
Instructions
Cook your bacon until it’s crispy but not burnt. Save that precious bacon grease — we’re going to use it. Crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Try not to eat all of it while you’re working.
Let your pizza dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This makes it way easier to roll out. On a floured surface, roll it into a rectangle about 12×16 inches. Don’t stress about perfect measurements — we’re going for rustic charm here.
Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border at the top. Sprinkle the bacon crumbles over the filling, then drizzle with that saved bacon grease. Yeah, we’re going there.
Starting from the bottom edge, roll the dough up tightly but not so tight that the filling squeezes out. Pinch the seam to seal it. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss (seriously, it works better than a knife), cut into 9-12 rolls depending on how thick you want them.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish or cast iron skillet. Brush the tops with melted butter because we’re not messing around. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
While the rolls are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle. Adjust with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
Let the rolls cool for about 5 minutes (any longer and you’ll lose your mind), then drizzle with the maple glaze. Top with extra bacon crumbles and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Serve these warm with a strong cup of coffee or cold milk. They’re perfect for lazy weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or any time you want to feel like you’re at a bougie bed and breakfast. Pro tip: take a picture before you dig in because these disappear fast.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~420 kcal
- Fat: ~18g
- Carbohydrates: ~58g
- Protein: ~8g