Introduction: Bacon Roses

About: We spend our youth trying desperately to fit in, and then the rest of our adult life doing whatever we can to stand out in the crowd.

Flowers make a nice gift to the friend that needs a smile or for that special someone in your life. Roses are even better. But sometimes even roses don't cut it. Sometimes you need something a little more non-cliché, something...extraordinary... Sometimes, you need BACON.

Step 1: Materials

BACON - I like to use one regular pack and one thick cut pack

Rose Stems

Glass Vase

Mini Muffin Pan

Broiler Pan

Drill with bi
t (I used an 1/8" bit, but any similar size will work)

Gravel or marbles for vase (not shown)

Step 2: Preparing the Pans

Drill holes in the bottom of the muffin pan. This will allow the grease to drain when cooking the bacon.
Place the muffin pan on top of the broiler pan.

Step 3: Prepare the Rose Buds

Preheat the oven to 375degrees Fahrenheit
Open the bacon and begin tightly rolling the roses, one piece at a time. Start with the widest end of the bacon, with the fat edge down. I like to use a combination of thick and thin bacon so I end up with a variety of rose shapes.
Place all of the bacon in the muffin pans pushing down slightly to "seat" them. The bottoms will flair out a bit.
Place in the oven and cook for 30-40 minutes. Check in on them occasionally. Sometimes you will have to lift the rose so the grease will drain out the pan.

Step 4: Prepare the Rose Stems

While waiting for the buds to cook you can start working on the stems. I found the stems that work best can be purchased at Walmart in bunches of 7, for under a dollar each.
Pull all of the roses off from the stems.
Pull the green backing off from the rose and then separate it into individual parts.
Discard the petals and center red piece. Reassemble the remaining green parts as shown.
Put the green piece back on the stem, but force it down so that roughly 1" of the stem protrudes.
I like to tape the stems together at this point, but this is optional.
Put the stems in your vase and fill with gravel or marbles to hold them in place.

Step 5: Assemble and Present!

When the bacon buds are done, remove from the oven and place on paper towel to cool.
You'll now have a variety of rose buds to choose from. Pick your favorites and slide them onto the protruding stems. Arrange the roses to your liking and then present the aromatic bouquet to your favorite bacon fanatic!

Bacon Challenge

First Prize in the
Bacon Challenge