If you love cozy breakfasts and irresistible sweet treats, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe. Imagine the soft, gooey swirls of cinnamon rolls layered with a rich, custardy soak, baked until golden and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze that melts in your mouth with every bite. It’s the ultimate blend of two breakfast favorites coming together in an easy-to-make dish that will wow your friends and family. This casserole is perfect for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or anytime you want a comforting delight that feels both indulgent and homey.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the perfect Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe is surprisingly simple once you gather a handful of flavorful ingredients that work beautifully together. Each component plays a key role in building that luscious texture and satisfying sweetness that will keep you coming back for seconds.
- Refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing: Starting point of this dish, offering ready-made flavor and that soft, doughy texture.
- Large eggs: The binder that gives the casserole its custard-like richness and structure.
- Heavy cream: Adds a lush, creamy depth to the custard mixture for ultimate indulgence.
- Milk: Helps to thin the custard just right, keeping it light but flavorful.
- Ground cinnamon: Enhances the warm spice notes already present in the cinnamon rolls.
- Vanilla extract: A little touch to boost aroma and sweetness naturally.
- Maple syrup: Introduces a lovely caramel sweetness that complements all the flavors.
- Cream cheese: The key to that dreamy glaze topping, adding tang and smoothness.
- Butter: Melted to enrich the cream cheese glaze for a silky finish.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and helps the glaze thicken to the perfect drizzle consistency.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Base
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then, cut each cinnamon roll into quarters and evenly spread them out across the dish. This creates a delightful bed of cinnamon swirls that will soak up all the custard goodness.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard
In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, heavy cream, milk, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Whisk together until everything is fully blended into a smooth custard. This mixture will seep into those cinnamon roll pieces and transform the texture while baking.
Step 3: Soak the Cinnamon Rolls
Pour your custard mixture evenly over the cinnamon rolls in the baking dish. Use a gentle pressing motion to help the rolls absorb the custard, ensuring every bit gets coated with that flavorful blend.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the casserole uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes. You want to see a light puffiness and a rich golden color on top. This signals that the custard has set beautifully and the rolls have become soft yet structured enough to slice.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the casserole cools slightly, whip up the glaze by mixing softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. Stir until the glaze is smooth and pourable—this glaze will add the perfect finishing touch on your casserole.
Step 6: Drizzle and Garnish
Drizzle the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm casserole. For an extra sweet touch, add the reserved icing from the cinnamon rolls and a drizzle of maple syrup if you like. This step elevates the dessert-like quality of this breakfast casserole.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Scoop out generous slices and serve warm. The gooey center and the creamy glaze will make each bite a slice of breakfast heaven.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh berries, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, or a dusting of powdered sugar can give the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe an elegant and fresh touch. These little extras add texture and a burst of flavor that contrasts beautifully with the rich custard and glaze.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with crisp bacon or savory sausage links if you want to balance the sweetness with a touch of salty goodness. Fresh fruit salad or a light green salad also complements the richness and keeps your meal feeling fresh and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the casserole in individual ramekins for a charming brunch presentation, or bring the whole dish to the table in the baking pan for a cozy family-style feel. You can also top each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This allows the flavors to meld even more, and the texture remains delightful when reheated gently.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this dish later, freeze the baked casserole after it has completely cooled. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and it will keep well for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the casserole loosely with foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain the crisp edges and soft center.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls instead of refrigerated ones?
Absolutely! Using homemade cinnamon rolls adds a personal touch and can be just as delicious. Just be sure they’re fully baked and cooled before cutting and assembling the casserole.
Is it possible to make this casserole dairy-free?
You can substitute the heavy cream and milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk, and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the glaze—just keep in mind the texture might be a bit different.
Can I prepare this casserole the night before?
Yes, assembling the casserole the night before and refrigerating it allows the cinnamon rolls to soak up the custard even more. Just bake it fresh in the morning for the best results.
What can I use instead of maple syrup?
Honey or agave syrup can be great substitutes, or even a light caramel sauce if you want a slightly different flavor profile.
How many servings does this casserole provide?
This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe serves about 12 people, making it perfect for larger gatherings, brunch parties, or family breakfasts.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe is everything you could wish for when comfort food meets breakfast delight. It’s easy to whip up, wonderfully indulgent, and sure to bring big smiles to your table. Once you try it, you’ll want it in your brunch rotation for good. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to this warm, cinnamon-swirled casserole—you deserve it!
Print
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is a decadent breakfast treat combining the sweetness of cinnamon rolls with the rich custard of French toast. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a creamy glaze, it’s perfect for a cozy morning gathering or special occasion.
Ingredients
Casserole
- 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing (17.5 oz each)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Glaze
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk (for thinning the glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cinnamon Rolls: Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters and spread the pieces evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Make Custard: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until smooth and well combined.
- Combine and Soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the dish, pressing gently to help the rolls absorb the custard fully.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until it is puffed up and golden brown on top. Allow it to cool slightly before glazing.
- Prepare Glaze: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and pourable to create a creamy glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the warm casserole. Add reserved icing from the cinnamon rolls and extra maple syrup if desired. Slice into servings and enjoy warm.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh refrigerated cinnamon rolls that include icing.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to allow it to set and make slicing easier.
- The glaze can be thinned or thickened by adjusting the amount of milk used.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
- This casserole can be prepared the night before; refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.
