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Updated 2024
You had to know this was coming. We’ve made salami rosettes, prosciutto roses, lox roses, avocado roses, and even strawberry roses (a distant cousin to my apple hearts). What could possibly be next?
Let me introduce you to the bacon rose! Personally, I like to serve a dozen or so “as a bouquet” on a Valentine’s Day Breakfast Board, but it would also be great for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or a birthday brunch. Not into bacon? No problem.
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How To Make Bacon Roses
Here’s the rundown, but you can also PRINT or PIN the recipe card at bottom of this post.
Ingredients
- 2 packages Coleman Natural Uncured Bacon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 bunch basil leaves
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Take a strip of bacon and starting at one end, roll it up tightly to form a rosette. Or, feel free to stack two strips prior to rolling for an even heftier looking rose. Watch the video tutorial below for a closer look.
- Secure the bacon rose with two toothpicks to form a cross through the spiral as close to the bottom of one end as you can.
- Space out the bacon roses on a wire rack on top of a foil lined baking sheet.
- Brush bacon roses with maple syrup then sprinkle brown sugar and cracked black pepper.
- Bake until cooked all the way through (oven temperatures can vary), about 20-30 minutes for the single-layered bacon rose and approximately 40 minutes for the double-layered rose. (See section below about cooking time.) Remove from oven, set aside and let cool.
- Remove toothpicks carefully, making sure the roses maintain their form. Place two basil leaves down under each bacon roses and place onto a plate or serving board.
Bacon Bouquet Breakfast Board
Ingredients
- 12+ Bacon Roses (see section above)
- 10-12 eggs, scrambled
- 10-12 slices bread
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, sliced
- 1/2 cup jam
- 16 oz strawberries
- 8 oz blackberries
- 8 oz raspberries
- 4 oz pomegranate seeds
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1 tbsp chives, chopped
- 2 tbsp Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
Directions
- First, Take your bacon roses and gather them together on a salad plate. Add basil leaves around the perimeter to make it look like a bouquet. This is going to be the center of your board and everything else will be built around it.
- Next, start adding ingredients in small bowls around the edge of your round board. I love using heart bowls (a cheaper heart bowl here) and heart ramekins for a festive touch. Use the bigger bowls for fruit like berries and the smaller ramekins for jam and small scale fruit like pomegranate seeds. You can also lay some fruit directly onto the board (like I did with the oranges and blackberries).
- Add your warm ingredients like eggs last. I did one batch with chives on top and one with Parmigiano Reggiano. I generally like to have dairy and non-dairy options available.
- Finally, make toast using heart cookie cutters. First cut the bread with the cookie cutter, then toast.
When Are Bacon Roses Cooked?
As I mentioned above, you want to make sure the bacon is cooked all the way through. Because the bacon is essentially squished together, it takes longer than a piece of flat bacon. And more time for the double roll of bacon. I provided a range of 20-40 degrees at 400 degrees to account for variations, but be the judge and cook longer as necessary.
It’s possible that the under layer or middle looks less cooked. If that’s the case, turn bacon over and cook for longer. Additionally, you could consider pan frying the bottom layer to ensure it’s cooked through.
Bacon Roses Recipe Tutorial
Show Me Your Bouquets
I hope this post inspires you to create a delicious breakfast spread. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful boards you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!
And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.
Bacon Rose Brunch Board
Description
Ingredients
Bacon Bouquet
- 12 slices Bacon (24 for double roses)
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 bunch Basil leaves
Bacon Rose Brunch Board Ingredients
- 12 Bacon Roses
- 10-12 Eggs scrambled
- 10-12 slices Bread
- 1/2 cup Butter sliced
- 1/2 cup Jam
- 16 oz Strawberries
- 8 oz Blackberries
- 8 oz Raspberries
- 4 oz Pomegranate Seeds
- 2 Oranges, sliced
- 1 tbsp Chives chopped
- 2 tbsp Parmigiano Reggiano grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Take a strip of bacon, and starting at one end, roll it up tightly to form a rosette. Feel free to add another bacon strip layer for an even heftier looking rose.
- Secure the bacon rose with two toothpicks to form a cross (as close to the bottom of one end as you can)
- Space out the bacon roses on a wire rack on top of a foil lined baking sheet Brush bacon roses with maple syrup then sprinkle brown sugar and cracked black pepper
- Bake until bacon is cooked all the way through, 20-30 minutes (40 for double-layered roses). Feel free to turn over or finish them off in a frying pan if needed.
- Set aside and let cool; remove toothpicks.
- Arrange bacon roses on a round salad platter to form a “bouquet” and place it in the center of your serving board. Place basil leaves under each bacon rose around the outside of the bouquet.
- Next, start adding ingredients in small bowls around the edge of your round board. Use the bigger bowls for fruit like berries and the smaller ramekins for jam and small scale fruit like pomegranate seeds. You can also lay some fruit directly onto the board.
- Add your warm ingredients like eggs last. I did one batch with chives on top and one with Parmigiano Reggiano. I generally like to have dairy and non-dairy options available.
- Cut bread using a heart-shaped cookie cutter and toast. Serve and enjoy!
