This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is the ultimate lazy morning breakfast and holiday brunch crowd-pleaser! Made with convenient refrigerated cinnamon rolls cut into bite-sized pieces and soaked in a rich vanilla, maple, and cinnamon egg custard, it bakes into a puffed, golden masterpiece that is crispy on top and decadently custardy in the center.
Finished with a warm drizzle of sweet cream cheese icing glaze and pure amber maple syrup, this easy 5-minute prep bake gives you all the warmth of scratch-made bakery cinnamon rolls and French toast in one effortless dish!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Incredible fluffy & custardy texture: The cinnamon roll pieces absorb the spiced cream custard, baking into a soft bread-pudding center with golden crispy edges. 5-minute easy prep: Uses refrigerated canned cinnamon rolls for a super quick shortcut that tastes 100% homemade
- Overnight breakfast casserole: Assemble the night before, cover, and refrigerate—just pop it straight into the oven when you wake up!
- Perfect for brunch & holidays: Ideal for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, weekend family breakfasts, and potlucks
If you love cozy sweet breakfast bakes and decadent autumn treats like our Sourdough Pumpkin Bread and our Butterfinger Cake, this brunch bake will be a permanent family favorite.
Key Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Here are the simple grocery staples you’ll need:
- Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls: 2 cans (17.5 oz each) Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing (keep the icing for drizzling!).
- Eggs: 4 large eggs at room temperature (creates the rich custard base).
- Milk & Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream (or 1 cup half-and-half).
- Pure Maple Syrup: 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (adds natural sweetness to the custard and extra for serving).
- Melted Butter: 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted (for coating the baking dish and rich flavor).
- Spices: 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Topping: The included cream cheese icing cups, warmed slightly for easy drizzling.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole (Step-by-Step)
1. Cut & Arrange Cinnamon Rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour the melted butter into the bottom of a 9×13-inch ceramic baking dish, brushing to coat the sides. Pop open the cinnamon roll cans (set aside the icing). Cut each raw cinnamon roll into 6 bite-sized pieces (or quarters) and scatter them evenly across the buttered dish.
2. Whisk Spiced Custard: In a large glass measuring pitcher or bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and pinch of salt until frothy and completely blended.
3. Pour Over Rolls: Pour the spiced egg custard mixture evenly all over the cut cinnamon roll pieces in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces are moistened and coated.
4. Bake, Glaze & Serve: Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 25 to 30 minutes until the casserole is puffed, deeply golden brown, and the center is set (not jiggly). Remove from oven. Warm the reserved cream cheese icing containers in the microwave for 10 seconds and drizzle generously over the hot casserole. Serve warm with maple syrup and fresh fruit!
Chef's Breakfast Secrets
- Overnight Make-Ahead Method: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight
- In the morning, let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes while preheating oven, then bake for 30 to 35 minutes!
- Tent with foil: If the top rolls are getting dark before the center custard is fully set, loosely tent foil over the dish for the last 10 minutes of baking
Fun Variations & Mix-in Ideas
- Apple Cinnamon French Toast: Layer 1 cup of peeled, diced apples sautéed in brown sugar between the cinnamon rolls before pouring custard.
- Pecan Praline Crunch: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped pecans and brown sugar over the top before baking for crunchy texture.
- Berry Brunch Bake: Scatter 1 cup of fresh blueberries or raspberries over the dough chunks before baking.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To Store: Cover leftovers with foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions for 30 to 45 seconds until warm, or reheat the entire pan covered with foil in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular non-Grands cinnamon rolls?
Yes, use 2 cans (12.4 oz each) of standard cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into 4 quarters.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, freeze baked, cooled slices wrapped in foil for up to 2 months. Reheat in the toaster oven or oven.
More Delicious Breakfast & Dessert Bakes to Savor Next
- Sourdough Pumpkin Bread — Artisanal moist sourdough loaf with cranberries.
- Carmelitas — Chewy caramel chocolate oat crumble dessert bars.
- Sticky Toffee Pudding Cookies — Gourmet stuffed date cookies with molten toffee core.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this cinnamon roll french toast casserole, where fluffy cinnamon rolls meet a rich custard base, all drizzled with sweet icing. Perfect for brunch gatherings or cozy family breakfasts, this easy-to-make dish will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
- 2 cans (17.5 oz each) refrigerated Grands cinnamon rolls (with cream cheese icing included)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (plus extra for serving)
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Cut & Arrange Rolls: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour melted butter into 9×13-inch pan. Cut cinnamon rolls into bite-sized pieces and arrange evenly in dish.
- Whisk Custard: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a pitcher until blended.
- Pour Over Rolls: Pour spiced egg custard evenly over cinnamon roll pieces in the dish.
- Bake, Glaze & Serve: Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until puffed and golden. Drizzle with warmed cream cheese icing and serve warm with maple syrup!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (135g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
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