Get ready to revolutionize your breakfast routine! We recently created this incredible cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket recipe, and it has instantly become our new favorite go-to breakfast. Imagine sinking your teeth into tender, flaky cinnamon rolls wrapped around juicy sausage links, all perfectly dunkable in a luscious maple butter sauce.

This recipe brings together the best of both worlds: the comforting sweetness of cinnamon rolls with the savory kick of breakfast sausage. It’s a flavor combination that simply sings, creating the most delicious “sausage dunkers” you’ve ever tasted. We’ll guide you through every step, including how to whip up a heavenly maple butter sauce that takes these treats to an entirely new level. If you loved our cinnamon bread bacon stuffing from Thanksgiving, you’re in for another delightful sweet and savory experience!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville Italian Sausage. The opinions and text are all mine.

The Sweet and Savory Twist: Unveiling Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket

For many, “pigs in a blanket” typically conjures images of miniature hot dogs or frankfurters nestled in crescent roll dough or puff pastry, often served as an appetizer. However, our version takes this classic concept and transforms it into an unforgettable breakfast experience. Forget the traditional savory-only approach; we’re diving headfirst into a delightful sweet and savory fusion that’s perfect for starting your day!

When my husband, Cade, and I were brainstorming ideas for a festive, kid-friendly Christmas breakfast recipe in partnership with Johnsonville, I initially thought of a pancake-wrapped sausage. But Cade’s insight reminded me of the true “pigs in a blanket” definition. That’s when inspiration struck: why not combine the beloved breakfast sausage with the comforting sweetness of cinnamon rolls? And so, our unique take on cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket dunkers was born, complete with an absolutely essential maple butter sauce.

This isn’t just a breakfast; it’s an event. The tender, warm cinnamon roll dough perfectly encases the savory sausage, creating a bite-sized delight that’s easy to handle and even easier to eat. The combination of textures—soft, warm dough and firm, flavorful sausage—is truly satisfying. And with our rich, smooth maple butter sauce, every dunk is a moment of pure breakfast bliss. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this innovative and incredibly delicious morning treat!

Essential Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket Adventure

One of the best things about this recipe is its delightful simplicity! For the main “sausage dunkers,” you only need two core ingredients, making it an incredibly quick and easy breakfast solution. The accompanying maple butter sauce, while optional, elevates the dish significantly and requires just a handful of common pantry staples. Here’s a detailed look at everything you’ll need to create this amazing breakfast:

For the Speedy Sausage Dunkers: (Just 2 Ingredients!)

• Grands Cinnamon Rolls: These ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls are an absolute game-changer, offering that classic fluffy texture and irresistible sweet cinnamon swirl without the fuss of making dough from scratch. They typically come with a creamy cream cheese frosting, which we’ll utilize for a final, decorative, and delicious flourish after baking.
• Johnsonville Turkey Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage: We specifically chose pre-cooked turkey sausages for their ultimate convenience and consistently delicious flavor. This selection dramatically saves valuable time, especially on busy weekday mornings or during the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. However, feel into use your preferred type of breakfast sausage. Whether you lean towards pork, turkey, or even a spicier variety, the key is to ensure it is thoroughly cooked according to package directions before wrapping it in the cinnamon roll dough.

For the Irresistible Maple Butter Dipping Sauce:

This rich and creamy sauce is truly the secret weapon of this recipe. It masterfully balances the savory notes of the sausage with the inherent sweetness of the cinnamon roll, creating a harmonious and addictive flavor profile that will have everyone coming back for more. Don’t skip it if you love a good dipping sauce!

• Maple Syrup: For the best results, always opt for real maple syrup, preferably Grade A. The quality of your syrup makes a significant difference in the final taste of the sauce, providing a deep, authentic, and nuanced maple flavor that artificial syrups simply cannot replicate.
• Buttermilk: This ingredient plays a crucial role by adding a subtle tanginess. This acidity beautifully cuts through the sweetness of the other components, preventing the sauce from being overly cloying or rich. It also contributes to the sauce’s wonderfully creamy and smooth texture.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter if you have it on hand, as it gives you more precise control over the overall saltiness of the sauce. If only salted butter is available, simply be mindful and reduce any additional salt you might add elsewhere in the recipe. Butter is absolutely key for achieving that luxurious, silky mouthfeel.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a complex, caramel-like sweetness and a depth of flavor that white sugar alone cannot provide. Its molasses content contributes to a richer, more rounded taste.
• White Sugar: Provides straightforward sweetness, working in perfect tandem with the brown sugar to achieve a balanced and delectable sweetness profile.
• Corn Syrup: A crucial ingredient for achieving the perfect sauce consistency. It helps to prevent sugar crystallization, which can make sauces grainy, and adds a lovely, glossy sheen and ideal thickness, ensuring the sauce clings beautifully to your cinnamon roll dunkers.
• Cinnamon: Enhances the warmth and familiar spice notes, expertly tying the sauce flavor profile perfectly to the cinnamon rolls themselves. It’s a comforting and aromatic addition.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of high-quality vanilla extract brightens and rounds out all the other flavors, adding an aromatic finish that makes the sauce truly irresistible.

You’ll find the precise measurements for all these ingredients meticulously detailed in the comprehensive recipe card located at the very end of this post. Keep scrolling to find all the specifics and get ready to create breakfast magic!

Simple Steps to Create These Delightful Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket

Prepare to amaze your family with their new favorite breakfast! This recipe is incredibly straightforward, promising delicious results with minimal effort. Even novice cooks will find these cinnamon roll sausage dunkers a breeze to prepare. Here are the simple steps to create these irresistible sweet and savory treats:

1. Preparation is Key: Begin by preheating your oven to the recommended temperature, typically 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step is crucial for ensuring easy cleanup and preventing the cinnamon rolls from sticking to the pan, guaranteeing a perfect golden crust.
2. Unwrap and Unroll the Dough: Carefully open the tube of store-bought cinnamon rolls. Gently unroll each cinnamon roll dough spiral completely, transforming them into long, flat “ropes” of dough. The goal is to maximize the surface area for wrapping. Once unrolled, slice each dough rope in half lengthwise to create two thinner, more manageable pieces.
3. Assemble with Care: Take one half of a cinnamon roll dough rope and delicately wrap it around a single sausage link. Ensure the sausage is fully encased by the dough, with a slight overlap to seal it. The sweet cinnamon filling should be on the inside, close to the sausage. If any cinnamon filling or streusel falls off during this process, simply press it back into the dough around the sausage to keep all that delicious flavor intact and prevent it from burning on the baking sheet.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Arrange the wrapped sausages evenly on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one to allow for even baking and browning. Bake them according to the cinnamon roll package directions, or until the cinnamon roll dough is beautifully golden brown, puffed up, and cooked through (usually 15-20 minutes).

   Chef’s Note: While your cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket are baking, this is the absolutely perfect time to prepare your luscious maple butter dipping sauce. This way, everything will be warm and ready to serve simultaneously!

5. The Glaze Finish: Once baked, carefully remove the dunkers from the oven. Using the creamy cream cheese frosting that typically comes with your cinnamon rolls, generously drizzle it over the warm, golden-brown treats. The warmth of the rolls will slightly melt the frosting, allowing it to spread beautifully and add an extra layer of sweetness and luxurious creaminess.
6. Serve and Savor: Serve your warm cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket immediately, alongside small individual bowls or a large communal bowl of the prepared maple butter sauce for dipping. Encourage everyone to dunk generously and enjoy this unforgettable sweet and savory breakfast experience!

Crafting the Heavenly Maple Butter Dipping Sauce

This luscious sauce is deceptively simple to make but delivers an incredible punch of flavor that perfectly complements the dunkers. It’s the crowning glory of this breakfast recipe, adding a rich, creamy, and wonderfully sweet-yet-tangy dimension to every bite!

1. Combine and Bring to a Boil: In a medium saucepan, combine all the maple butter sauce ingredients: real maple syrup, buttermilk, butter, both brown and white sugars, and corn syrup. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the ingredients are well integrated. Place the saucepan over medium heat and gradually bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure the sugars dissolve evenly.
2. Simmer to Perfection: Once the sauce reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low. Add the cinnamon and vanilla extract, stirring them in until fragrant and fully combined. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 1-2 minutes. This simmering time is crucial as it helps the sugars fully dissolve, allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and thickens the sauce slightly to the perfect dipping consistency. Once it reaches your desired thickness, remove it from the heat and serve warm alongside your cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket.

While the maple butter sauce is technically optional, we are absolutely obsessed with it! It truly transforms these “pigs in a blanket” into authentic “dunkers.” Of course, they’re undeniably delicious on their own or simply with regular maple syrup. But if you’re like us and adore the art of dipping, dunking, and drizzling, then this homemade maple butter sauce is an absolute must-try. Its creamy texture and balanced sweet-tangy flavor profile create an unparalleled breakfast experience. You could also experiment with other dipping options like our buttermilk syrup for another fantastic pairing, offering a slightly different twist on the classic sweet syrup.

Find the comprehensive, printable recipe card with all exact ingredient quantities and detailed step-by-step instructions just below. Feel free to print or save it for future use, so you can revisit this incredible breakfast whenever the craving strikes!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket

We know you’ll have questions when trying a new recipe, especially one as unique and delightful as our cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket. To ensure your breakfast creations are a resounding success and to address any concerns you might have, here are answers to some common queries:

Can I Use Uncooked Sausage Links for this Recipe?

Absolutely, you can use uncooked sausage links if you prefer! While we specifically opted for fully cooked turkey breakfast sausages in this recipe for ultimate convenience – especially on a leisurely Christmas morning when the goal is to stay in pajamas, watch movies, play with the kids, and enjoy plenty of food, including these delicious cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket dunkers – uncooked sausages work perfectly well too. The crucial step is to ensure that any uncooked pork or turkey sausage links are thoroughly cooked according to their package directions before you proceed to wrap them in the cinnamon roll dough. This ensures both food safety and even cooking of both the sausage and the dough components.

Can I Make My Own Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch for this Dish?

Yes, certainly! While store-bought cinnamon rolls offer incredible convenience and are absolutely perfect for saving time, particularly on busy mornings, making them from scratch is always an option if you genuinely enjoy the baking process and have the extra time. In fact, our homemade cinnamon rolls recipe is truly exceptional if you’re looking for an indulgent, from-scratch experience. Whether you choose homemade or store-bought, and regardless of whether they come with cream cheese frosting or not, these sausage dunkers will undoubtedly be delicious. We simply opted for the store-bought route in this particular recipe to make life a little easier for everyone, without sacrificing any of the fantastic sweet and savory flavor.

How to Prevent Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket from Getting Soggy

The absolute best tip for keeping your cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket from getting soggy is simple: eat them all right away! Haha! It’s a perfect solution, isn’t it? But on a more serious note, if you’re not devouring them immediately, the key to maintaining their delightful texture is proper cooling and storage. Once baked, immediately transfer the pigs in a blanket to a wire cooling rack. Crucially, avoid covering them with foil or any other material that would trap steam and moisture, as this is the primary cause of sogginess. If you need to keep them warm for a short period before serving, you can leave them on the baking sheet and place them in a very low-temperature oven (around 200°F or 95°C) until ready to serve. This gentle warmth will maintain their crispness without drying them out.

Can I Prepare Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket Ahead of Time?

Yes, absolutely! These cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket are fantastic for meal prepping or preparing in advance, making them an ideal solution for busy mornings or upcoming holiday feasts. You have a couple of excellent options for making them ahead:

• Assemble Ahead, Bake Later: You can fully prepare the pigs in a blanket by wrapping the sausages in cinnamon roll dough, exactly as described in the recipe instructions. Once assembled, arrange them on a baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply uncover the baking sheet and pop them into the preheated oven. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since they will be starting cold from the fridge.
• Bake Ahead, Reheat Later: For ultimate convenience, you can completely bake the cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket the day before. After baking, allow them to cool completely at room temperature on a wire rack. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place them in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil (to prevent them from drying out), and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through. This method is perfect for serving a warm, delicious breakfast without any morning prep hassle!

The luscious maple butter sauce can also be prepared up to a week in advance. Simply store it in a sealed mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, gently reheat the sauce on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warm and pourable.

How Long Can Cooked Pigs in a Blanket Sit Out Safely?

For optimal food safety, cooked cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket (or any food containing meat) should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. After this recommended time frame, harmful bacteria can begin to multiply rapidly, potentially making the food unsafe to consume. To avoid any risk of foodborne illness, it is always best practice to discard any sausage dunkers that have been sitting out for longer than two hours. Always prioritize food safety!

Can You Freeze Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket Dunkers for Longer Storage?

Yes, these freeze wonderfully, making them an excellent option for long-term storage and quick breakfasts on demand! Once your cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket are completely cooled after baking, ensure they are thoroughly cooled to prevent freezer burn. Wrap each individual dunker tightly in plastic wrap, then again in a layer of aluminum foil, or place them in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They can be safely frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, you can bake them directly from frozen (unwrapped from foil/plastic) in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until they are heated through and lightly re-crisped on the outside.

Visual Guide: Watch How These Delicious Sausage Dunkers Come to Life!

(Video Placeholder: A visual guide demonstrating the quick and easy steps to assemble and bake these delicious cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket dunkers would typically be embedded here.)

We are absolutely confident that your family will fall deeply in love with these flavorful sausages, perfectly tucked into their sweet cinnamon blankets and generously dipped in our delectable, buttery maple syrup sauce. Thanks to brands like Johnsonville, creating memorable and easy holiday breakfasts has never been simpler or more delicious, and we’re truly loving the convenience and incredible taste! If you’re searching for a breakfast recipe that the entire family will adore – especially the little ones who appreciate fun and tasty food – then this cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a delightful, unique twist on breakfast that promises smiles, satisfied appetites, and cherished memories around the table!

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• Classic Best French Toast Recipe
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Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket Dunkers

4.30 from 37 votes

Turkey breakfast sausages wrapped in sweet cinnamon rolls and dunked in a killer butter maple sauce! Perfect for holiday breakfasts!

By: Sweet Basil

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 12 dunkers

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Roll Dunkers:

• 1 Package Grands Cinnamon Rolls, with cream cheese frosting
• 1 Package Johnsonville Turkey Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage

For the Maple Butter Sauce:

• 1/2 Cup Maple Syrup, Grade A
• 1/2 Cup Buttermilk
• 3 Tablespoons Butter
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup White Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Corn Syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Open the tube of Grands Cinnamon Rolls and unroll each individual dough spiral. Cut each cinnamon roll “rope” in half lengthwise to make two pieces.
3. Wrap each Johnsonville Turkey Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage with one half of a cinnamon roll dough strip. Ensure the sausage is fully covered. If any cinnamon filling falls off, gently press it back into the dough.
4. Place the wrapped sausages on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. While the pigs in a blanket are baking, prepare the Maple Butter Sauce (instructions below).
6. If desired, drizzle the cream cheese frosting (included with the cinnamon rolls) over the warm, golden-brown dunkers.
7. Serve warm and enjoy by dipping into the Maple Butter Sauce!

For the Maple Butter Sauce:

1. Place the maple syrup, buttermilk, butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Add the cinnamon and vanilla extract.
3. Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly to your desired consistency. Serve warm with the dunkers.

Recipe Notes

You can assemble the dunkers a day ahead on a baking sheet, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Alternatively, you can completely bake everything and then store in the fridge in an airtight container. When you are ready to serve, just place in a baking dish with foil over the top and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. The maple butter syrup can be made up to one week ahead and stored in the fridge in a sealed mason jar.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

• Serving: 1g
• Calories: 263kcal
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 7g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 32mg
• Sodium: 440mg
• Potassium: 138mg
• Fiber: 0.04g
• Sugar: 26g
• Vitamin A: 127IU
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Calcium: 42mg
• Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.