Bacon and Sweet Cream Cheese Bagel Rolls with Peach Preserves
These homemade bagel rolls combine the convenience of refrigerated French bread with traditional bagel-making techniques. Each roll gets a quick boil before baking to achieve that characteristic chewy texture, then they're split and filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture made with peach apricot preserves and crispy bacon pieces. The result is a satisfying breakfast or brunch treat that delivers the flavors of a loaded bagel in a soft, pillowy roll format. Perfect for weekend mornings or special occasions when you want something more substantial than toast but easier than making bagels from scratch.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 450°F and spray cookie sheet with cooking spray
- 2
Bring 10 cups water to a boil in 4-quart saucepan, then reduce heat to medium-low
- 3
Cut French bread dough into 4 pieces and cut 2 diagonal slashes on top of each roll
- 4
Add dough pieces to water for 30 seconds, turn over with tongs, and simmer additional 30 seconds
- 5
Place rolls seam sides down on cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt
- 6
Bake 14 to 18 minutes until golden brown, then cool 15 minutes
- 7
Microwave cream cheese on High 45 to 60 seconds until soft
- 8
Beat preserves into cream cheese with wire whisk until well blended
- 9
Microwave bacon as directed on package and cut each strip in half crosswise
- 10
Cut each roll in half horizontally
- 11
Spread cut sides of bottoms with cream cheese mixture, top with bacon and roll tops
Tips
Don't skip the boiling step - this is what gives the rolls their bagel-like chewy texture on the outside while keeping them soft inside.
Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing with preserves to avoid lumps in your spread.
Cut the bacon pieces in half after heating so they fit better on the rolls and distribute more evenly.
Good to Know
Store assembled rolls covered in refrigerator up to 2 days. Best served fresh but can be reheated in toaster oven.
Rolls can be baked up to 1 day ahead. Prepare cream cheese mixture and store separately. Assemble just before serving.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Can be wrapped in foil and kept warm in low oven for up to 30 minutes.
Common Mistakes
Don't overbake the rolls or they'll become too hard - watch for golden brown color.
Don't skip cooling time before cutting or the rolls will be too soft to slice cleanly.
Substitutions
lower fat option
FAQ
Can I make these without boiling the dough?
Yes, but you'll lose the characteristic bagel texture. They'll taste more like regular dinner rolls with toppings.
How long do these keep?
Best eaten fresh, but assembled rolls keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in toaster oven before serving.
Can I freeze the baked rolls?
Yes, freeze the plain baked rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before adding toppings and serving.