Entry #3055, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving! Dinner may be the star of Thanksgiving, but there is no reason to forget about breakfast. These maple bacon cinnamon rolls for brunch and are the panicle of holiday decadence. Though they may take a bit of time to put together, they are well worth the effort. The festive flavors of cinnamon and maple come alive when joined with savory bacon. These rolls will no doubt become a staple in your Thanksgiving celebration.

Holiday Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Image via: Plain Chicken

Prep Time: 3 hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

2 packages dry yeast
1 cup milk

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup butter

1teaspoon salt

1 egg

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Filling:

1 loosely packed cup of light brown sugar

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

1 ½ tablespoons melted butter

5 slices bacon

Icing:

3 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons maple syrup

½ milk

¼ cup melted butter

¼ cup strong-brewed coffee

Image via: Recipe Link

Procedure:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the yeast, sugar, salt, and two cups of flour.
2. Meanwhile, heat the milk and butter in a saucepan until it is scalded.
3. Add the milk and butter mixture and egg into the dry ingredients.
4. Beat everything together with a mixer on low speed, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl frequently. Add in the remaining flour ½ a cup at a time until a soft and sticky dough forms.
5. Flour your countertop and knead the dough by using your hands to roll it toward you and then away. Do this for about five minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and springy. Dust with more flour, as needed, to keep it from sticking.
6. Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, turning the dough in order to grease each side. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and leave it in a warm place to rise for an hour and a half. The dough is ready when you press it and an indentation remains.
7. While the dough is rising, cook 5 slices of bacon until crispy. Allow them to drain and cool completely on a paper towel before crumbling.
8. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the filling.
9. Flour your counter once more and roll the dough out onto it into a 18×12 inch rectangle. Make sure that the long side is nearest to you.
10. Brush the dough with the melted butter. Liberally sprinkle the sugar mixture and crumbled bacon onto it, leaving a small boarder on each side.
11. Roll the dough into a large cylinder, starting with the end nearest to you. When complete, pinch the two ends of the dough together. Squeeze the cylinder to form an even thickness.
12. Use a serrated knife to slice the cylinder into 1 ½ inch rolls.
13. Place each of the rolls in a buttered baking dish. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for at least twenty minutes to overnight.
14. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
15. Set the baking dish into one that is slightly larger with high sides. Pour about an inch of hot water into the larger dish to create a water bath. Be careful not to get any water onto the cinnamon rolls.
16. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown.
17. While the rolls are baking, create the glaze by beating together the butter and powdered sugar. When incorporated, mix in the milk, coffee, and maple syrup until a thick and pourable icing forms.
18.  Once the rolls are cool enough to handle, pour a generous amount of icing over them. Serve warm.

This recipe yields twelve, but could easily be modified to feed a large crowd. You may want to overestimate. This Holiday Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls are so good that they will have your family begging for seconds…and thirds.

For more brunch recipes on Stagetecture, click here.