Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake

Hey there! Are you ready to make mornings a little more magical? This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake brings together two beloved breakfast favorites—cinnamon rolls and French toast—into one indulgent, easy-to-make dish! It’s cozy, sweet, and completely addictive.

What I love most about this recipe is that it feels like you’ve gone to all the effort of making cinnamon rolls from scratch, but it’s way easier and perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday brunch or just looking to make a weekend morning extra special, this one’s always a hit!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it the night before and simply pop it in the oven in the morning.
Minimal Ingredients: You only need a few store-bought items and pantry staples.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for brunch gatherings or family breakfasts—it’s always a hit with kids and adults alike!
Comforting & Cozy: Soft, gooey cinnamon rolls combined with custardy French toast vibes? What’s not to love?

Ingredients Breakdown

Store-bought Cinnamon Rolls: I love using the refrigerated kind that you just pop out and bake. Easy peasy.
Eggs: The base of any good French toast—now they’re whisked into a delicious custard.
Milk & Heavy Cream: This gives the dish richness and makes the custard extra creamy.
Cinnamon & Vanilla Extract: The key to enhancing the cinnamon roll flavor. Don’t skip the vanilla; it adds warmth and depth!
Maple Syrup: We’ll drizzle a bit over the top for that classic French toast sweetness.
Powdered Sugar (optional): For dusting and a touch of added sweetness.

Pro Tips

If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you can sub with whole milk or half-and-half, though the bake might be a little less rich. For a fun twist, try using cinnamon raisin bread in place of the cinnamon rolls!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get started on this sweet masterpiece:

Preheat your oven. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and hot when the baking begins.
Prepare your cinnamon rolls. Open up your cans of cinnamon rolls and set aside the frosting (we’ll use it later!). Cut each roll into four pieces and spread them out evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make your custard. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces in the dish, making sure to cover all the dough.
Bake it. Place the bake into your preheated oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are golden and it’s firm in the center.
Drizzle with frosting and syrup. Once out of the oven, drizzle the reserved cinnamon roll frosting all over the top, followed by a little maple syrup for extra sweetness.
Serve. Let it cool slightly before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if you’d like, and enjoy!

Chef’s Tips and Tricks

Drying out the cinnamon rolls: If you want an extra custardy dish, you can let the cinnamon rolls sit out for 30 minutes in the baking dish before adding the custard mix. This allows them to soak up more of that egg mixture without getting soggy.
Overnight Prep: Assemble everything the night before, cover it with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge. In the morning, bake it straight from the fridge—just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Not too sweet: If you prefer, you can cut back on the maple syrup drizzle at the end for a more balanced flavor.

Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions

This recipe is totally adaptable! Here are a few fun spins you can try:

Fruit Bliss: Add a handful of fresh berries or thinly sliced apples on top before baking for a fruity kick.
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle pecans or walnuts on top before popping it in the oven, for a delightful crunch.
Spice It Up: Want a little twist? Try adding a dash of nutmeg or cardamom to the custard for extra flavor depth.

As for serving, this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake is divine with a side of crispy bacon or sausage for a salty counterpoint. You can also serve it with a light fruit salad or scrambled eggs to round out the meal. Don’t forget the coffee!

FAQs

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, you can. Cut the bake into portions, place them in an airtight container, and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

How long can this last in the fridge?

This dish will keep well covered in the fridge for up to three days. Simply reheat slices in the microwave or oven!

Can I make this gluten-free?

You can! Just swap out the cinnamon rolls for a gluten-free version, and you’re good to go.

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