Name: Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls (about 12 rolls total); 6 large eggs; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; Maple syrup, for drizzling; Powdered sugar, optional for garnish

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If you want to make mornings a little more magical, this cinnamon roll french toast bake is exactly the recipe to reach for. It brings together two beloved breakfast favorites, soft cinnamon rolls and custardy French toast, into one indulgent, gooey dish that tastes like you fussed over it for hours. In reality, it comes together with a handful of store-bought and pantry ingredients.

What makes this bake so special is how effortlessly it feeds a crowd. It has all the cozy, sweet, cinnamon-swirled comfort of homemade cinnamon rolls without any of the kneading, proofing, or rolling. Whether you are hosting a holiday brunch or simply want to make a lazy weekend feel like an occasion, this dish is always a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This bake is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast. You can assemble the whole thing the night before, tuck it into the fridge, and simply slide it into the oven in the morning, which makes it a lifesaver for busy holidays and houseful weekends. There is nothing better than pulling a warm, golden pan of it out of the oven while the coffee brews.

It is also refreshingly simple. You only need a few store-bought items and basic pantry staples, and the whole assembly takes about ten minutes of hands-on work. That short ingredient list belies just how rich and impressive the finished dish tastes.

Above all, it is pure comfort food. Soft, gooey cinnamon roll pieces soak up a creamy vanilla custard and bake into something that is somehow both fluffy and decadent. Drizzled with frosting and a little maple syrup, it is the kind of breakfast that has everyone coming back for seconds.

Ingredients

The star of this recipe is two cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls, about twelve rolls in total, which give you all that classic cinnamon-swirl flavor with none of the from-scratch effort. Be sure to set the included frosting aside as you open the cans, because you will drizzle it over the top at the very end for the finishing touch.

The custard is what turns those rolls into a French toast bake. You will whisk together six large eggs with a half cup of milk and a half cup of heavy cream, which gives the dish its rich, creamy texture. One teaspoon of vanilla extract and one teaspoon of cinnamon round out the custard, adding warmth and depth that echo the cinnamon rolls themselves. Do not skip the vanilla, since it ties all the cozy flavors together.

To finish, you will need maple syrup for drizzling over the top and, if you like, a dusting of powdered sugar for a little extra sweetness and a pretty presentation. If you do not have heavy cream on hand, whole milk or half-and-half will work in its place, though the bake will be slightly less rich.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or 190 degrees Celsius, so it is nice and hot by the time the bake is assembled. While the oven heats, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish so nothing sticks and cleanup stays easy.

Open the cans of cinnamon rolls and set the frosting aside for later. Cut each cinnamon roll into four pieces and scatter them out evenly across the greased baking dish. Cutting the rolls into smaller chunks gives the custard more surface area to cling to and helps every bite turn out tender and evenly soaked.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until the custard is smooth and well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the dish, making sure to coat all of the dough so no piece is left dry.

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the center is firm and set rather than jiggly. Keep an eye on it toward the end, since ovens vary and you want it cooked through but still soft and custardy in the middle.

Once the bake comes out of the oven, drizzle the reserved cinnamon roll frosting generously all over the warm top, followed by a little maple syrup for that classic French toast sweetness. Let it cool for a few minutes, dust with powdered sugar if you like, then serve it warm and watch it disappear.

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake

For an especially custardy result, let the cut cinnamon rolls sit out in the baking dish for about thirty minutes before you add the custard. This slight drying gives the dough time to drink up more of the egg mixture without turning soggy, resulting in a richer, more soaked-through bake.

This recipe is a natural for overnight prep. Assemble everything the night before, cover the dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it, then bake it straight from the fridge in the morning, adding an extra five to ten minutes to the baking time. If you love easy make-ahead breakfasts, you will also enjoy our gluten-free banana pancakes for a lighter morning, or a batch of pumpkin spice granola to keep on hand for busy weekdays.

Feel free to make the dish your own. Scatter fresh berries or thin apple slices over the top before baking for a fruity twist, sprinkle on pecans or walnuts for crunch, or add a dash of nutmeg or cardamom to the custard for extra warmth. Serve it alongside crispy bacon or a light fruit salad, and do not forget the coffee.

Kitchen Gear for This Recipe

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. Cut the bake into portions, store them in an airtight container, and freeze for up to two months. Reheat in a 350-degree oven until warmed through.

How long can this last in the fridge?
Covered well, the bake keeps in the refrigerator for up to three days. Simply reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven whenever you want another serving.

Can I make this gluten-free?
You can. Just swap in your favorite gluten-free refrigerated cinnamon rolls, and the rest of the recipe stays exactly the same.

Can I assemble it the night before?
Absolutely, and it is one of the best things about this dish. Assemble, cover, and refrigerate overnight, then bake from cold in the morning with an extra five to ten minutes added to the time.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?
Whole milk or half-and-half both work as substitutes. The custard will be a touch less rich, but the bake will still be delicious and creamy.

This cinnamon roll french toast bake is everything a weekend breakfast should be: comforting, easy, and utterly irresistible. For more wholesome morning inspiration, browse our favorite healthy eating ideas, and if you make this bake for your next brunch, snap a photo and tag @thekitchensaid on Instagram so we can see how it turned out. Happy baking!

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