Grandma Pat’s Bacon Rolls

Grandma Pat’s Bacon Rolls sound like the ultimate retro appetizer—salty, creamy, cheesy, and utterly irresistible. These are a classic “mid-century modern” party snack that never goes out of style.

The concept is brilliant in its simplicity: a creamy, seasoned cream cheese spread rolled up in soft bread and wrapped in bacon, then baked until the bacon is crispy and the inside is hot and melty.

Here’s a detailed recipe breakdown and method based on the ingredients you provided.

Grandma Pat’s Bacon Rolls

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hot, savory, crowd-pleasing bite.

Yields: About 20-24 rolls (depending on the loaf of bread)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 25-35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 loaf white sandwich bread, sliced (about 20-24 slices)

• 16 oz (1 lb) uncooked bacon slices (thin-cut works best)

• 2 (8 oz) packages (total 16 oz) cream cheese, softened

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread: Carefully remove the crusts from each slice of white bread. This is important for easy rolling.

   • Grandma’s Tip: Save the crusts to make breadcrumbs or croutons!

2. Flatten the Bread: Using a rolling pin, gently roll over each de-crusted bread slice to flatten it slightly. This makes it even easier to roll without cracking.

3. Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix with a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon until smooth and well-combined.

4. Assemble the Rolls:

   • Spread a thin, even layer of the cream cheese mixture over one side of a flattened bread slice.

   • Starting from one end, tightly roll the bread slice into a log. The cream cheese will act as the glue to hold it together.

   • Take one slice of bacon and wrap it snugly around the bread roll, stretching it slightly as you go. The bacon should overlap itself to stay in place. Tuck the ends under the roll.

   • Place the roll seam-side down on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bread, filling, and bacon.

5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the bacon rolls on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack (this helps the bacon get crispy on all sides). If you don’t have a rack, you can place them directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, but you may need to turn them halfway through cooking.

   • Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the bacon is fully cooked and crispy.

6. Serve: Let the rolls cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. They will be extremely hot inside! Serve warm.

Success Tips & Variations

• Cream Cheese Temperature: The cream cheese must be softened to room temperature. If it’s cold, it will tear the bread when you try to spread it.

• Bacon Choice: Thin-cut bacon is highly recommended. It cooks through faster and gets crisper without burning the bread. If you only have thick-cut, you might need to par-cook it slightly (about halfway) before wrapping to ensure it cooks through.

• Prevent Sogginess: The wire rack is a game-changer for ensuring the bacon fat drips away and the rolls get crispy all over.

• Make-Ahead: You can assemble the rolls completely, place them on the baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes them perfect for parties!

• Flavor Variations (Just like Grandma might have experimented with!):

  • Green Onion: Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped green onions to the cream cheese mixture.

  • Sharp Cheddar: Mix in 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

  • “Everything” Seasoning: Sprinkle the assembled rolls with “Everything Bagel” seasoning before baking.

  • A Little Sweet: Add 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar to the cream cheese for a sweet-and-salty version.

  • Spicy: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the filling.

These are guaranteed to be a hit. They’re a beautiful tribute to the kind of simple, delicious, and clever recipe that grandmas are famous for. Enjoy!