Skip the cheap grocery-store flower bouquet. Wow them with an edible bouquet instead. This easy Candied Bacon Roses recipe will show your special someone just how special they are. Sweet, savory, and smoky, this unique bacon bouquet is sure to leave a lasting impression.
It’s so simple to make. Just buy a premade bouquet of roses and replace the flowers with bacon roses! Each thick-cut bacon “rose” is coated in a light layer of caramelized brown sugar and agave syrup then rolled up and smoked low and slow on the grill. You can cook these on your smoker if you like, but I usually cook them on the grill. Either way, the savory bacon spirals get a touch of sweetness from the sugars, a kiss of smoke from the grill or smoker, and they end up firming up into what looks like red roses! Impale the smoked candied bacon roses on the stems of the pre-made bouquet, and present this edible arrangement to your special someone. They will be swooning as they nibble on the sweet, savory treat!
I originally created this Candied Bacon Roses recipe for Kingsford.com for Mother’s Day. But you can use it for any special occasion. Whip up a bouquet of Candied Bacon Roses and you’ll be the hero of Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or any special day!
Candied Bacon Roses Recipe
Makes:
Takes:
Equipment
- Pastry brush
- 12 Toothpicks
- 1 to 2 plastic flower bouquets (you'll need about 12 flowers total for the finished bouquet)
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- 2 to 3 tablespoons agave syrup
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
These recipes were created in US Customary measurements and the conversion to metric is being done by calculations. They should be accurate, but it is possible there could be an error. If you find one, please let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page
Method
- Fire up. You can cook the bacon roses on a smoker or grill. I usually grill them. Set up the grill for 2-zone cooking with the indirect side at about 300°F (162.8°C) to help crisp the bacon. If you wish, add wood to the direct side to create smoke. Use a lot of smoke.
- Prep the bacon. Lay the bacon slices on a parchment covered sheet pan and brush the top side of the slices with agave syrup. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the slices and use the pastry brush to create an even coating of agave syrup and brown sugar over the slices.
- Flip the slices over. Starting at one end of each, begin rolling each slice in to a tight spiral. When you get to the end, insert one toothpick through the side each spiral/rose to keep the outer end of the slice in place.
- Cook. Place the bacon spirals/roses on the indirect side of the grill or smoker as far from the heat as possible. Cover the grill and allow the bacon to cook until firm and nicely browned, approximately 30 minutes. Remove the bacon spirals from the grill and set aside.
- Assemble. Remove the flowers from the flower bouquet, leaving only the stems and leaves. Set the bouquet in a vase and impale one bacon spiral/rose on the end of each stem. If the bacon slides down the stem a bit, make a small loop in the stem approximately 1 inch from the top.
- Serve. Present the candied bacon bouquet to your special someone and watch them smile!
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