Love is in the air, and nothing says I love you like a bouquet of bacon! These Bacon Roses with a Whisky Maple Glaze are the perfect Valentine’s Day, Father’s day or Mother’s Day gift for a low carb bacon lover. Suitable for gluten-free, dairy-free and keto diets, with a paleo and Whole30 option.
Updated 29th January 2022 with edited photos and a web story.
I love making food for people, and these bacon roses are some of the more fun things I’ve found to make and give to people. This is the third time I’ve made these, and my recipe keeps evolving. The first year they were just plain which was fine. Last year I made chili chocolate and maple dipping sauces to go with them and added basil “leaves” to the skewer. This year I skipped the leaves (they were finicky) and made a whisky maple sauce which was added before and during baking. These were definitely the best so far! They came out sweet and crunchy on top and soft on the bottom – absolutely divine! The added maple and whisky during the baking worked out perfectly. My boyfriend loved them!
Why I can’t stop making these Bacon Roses every year:
- They’re EASY! Would you believe?!
- They look IMPRESSIVE. Actually like roses.
- They’re yummy. It is bacon, after all.
- They don’t have any allergens in them – no dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, or nuts.
- They are a keto treat! It can be hard on low carb diets to find ways to spoil your loved ones. These bacon flowers are perfect. Make them for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, and of course, Valentine’s Day.
How to make these Whisky Maple Bacon Roses:
Click through this story for all of the steps!
- Test Roll. Roll up one piece of bacon. If it seems too thick, unroll it and cut it in half, then re-roll it.
- Roll the rest. Roll the rest of the rashers up, either whole or halved. I find that it works best when the fatty side is at the top.
- Squish. Squish them down a bit so they sit.
- Poke holes. Take 24 mini cupcake wrappers and poke 3-4 holes in the bottom. This aids in draining excess fat.
- Place in the tray. Place inside a mini muffin tray. A regular tray would also work, but I like the stability of the muffin tray.
- Add bacon roses. Pop one raw bacon rose into each wrapper.
- Coat with glaze. Mix up the whiskey maple glaze and brush onto each rose.
- Bake! Bake for 10 minutes at 200°C/390°F
- Re-glaze. Take out and brush more maple whisky sauce onto each rose.
- Bake again! Bake for another 10 minutes, or until done.
- Skewer them. Take 24 bamboo skewers and place each rose onto the pointy end.
- Present! Wrap in aluminum or greaseproof paper, or place in a jar to imitate a vase. Serve to your boo.
How to store Bacon Roses:
These bacon roses are best enjoyed right after baking, but if you can’t finish all 24 (!) they store well in the fridge. Wrap them in aluminium, and when you’re ready to eat them you can place the aluminium pack in the oven to reheat or eat them cold. They will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. I haven’t tried freezing them, they don’t last that long!
Tips and tricks for a delicious Bacon Bouquet
- Savory? Whole30? Sprinkle some seasoning (cajun is amazing, as is Moroccan) before you bake them, or leave them plain.
- Sweets for my sweet? Melted dark chocolate + chili powder + bacon = heaven. This is best for dipping the bacon roses in at the end and not baking in the oven. Other ideas are various combinations of chocolates, chili powder, cinnamon, and either honey or maple syrup.
Where did this Bacon Rose Bouquet idea come from?
I can’t remember exactly where I saw it the first time, possibly Reddit about a decade ago. I’ve since adapted and made this idea take on a whole new level.
What Kind of Whisky is best for a maple whisky glaze?
Honestly, I think any will work! I went for a peaty McAllen 12 year because that was on hand and open, but you could probably use a cheaper one. Whatever is in your collection that you can spare a tablespoonful of!
Other fun food to make for friends:
- DAIRY FREE KETO JALAPEÑO POPPERS
- VEGAN JALAPEÑO POPPERS
- THE BEST PALEO CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- VEGAN DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES
Have you made this recipe? I’d love to know <3 Tag me on Facebook and Instagram, Pin it on Pinterest, or leave a star rating review below! Don’t forget to sign up to the email list for sparkly new recipes in your inbox =]
Bacon Roses with a Whisky Maple Glaze
The perfect Valentine's Day or anytime gift for bacon lovers! Allergy free and perfect for low carb, keto, paleo and Whole 30 diets!
Ingredients
- 24 streaky bacon rashers, **see notes
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whisky
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 200°C/390°F
- Slice 12 streaky bacon rashers in half.
- Roll them up, place them so fatty side is at the top.
- Gently squish them down a bit so they sit.
- Take 24 mini cupcake wrappers and poke 3-4 holes in the bottom.
- Place inside a mini muffin tray. A regular tray would also work.
- Pop one raw bacon rose into each wrapper.
- Mix maple syrup and whisky in a small bowl.
- Brush maple whisky concoction onto each rose.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Take out and brush more maple whisky sauce onto each rose.
- Bake for another 10 minutes, or until done.
- When slightly cooled (5 minutes), take 24 bamboo skewers and place each rose onto pointy end.
- Wrap in Aluminium, greaseproof paper, or arrange them in a jar (immitating a small vase).
- Serve to your boo.
Notes
** if your bacon is longer, cut it in half and use 12 bacon rashers instead of 10. I've made them with both longer, thicker bacon and shorter, thinner bacon, and found the longer/thicker too large to be the perfect bite so halved them.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 375Unsaturated Fat: 0g
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