Amazing cinnamon roll french toast: 1 bake

If you’re anything like me, when the weekend rolls around—after a whirlwind corporate week—the last thing you want is complicated cooking. You want pure comfort, right? That’s why I created this cinnamon roll french toast casserole. Seriously, it’s the ultimate fusion comfort food! It takes that gooey, sweet swirl you crave from a cinnamon roll and marries it with the cozy soak of a classic baked French toast. I always tell people here at Pure Cooking Joy: incredible, soul-satisfying food doesn’t have to be stressful. This bake proves that you can achieve maximum flavor with minimum hands-on effort. It’s simple, it feeds a crowd, and trust me, it tastes like heaven packed into a 9×13 dish.

Why This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is Your New Favorite Weekend Breakfast

This isn’t just breakfast; it’s an experience, and that’s why I love it so much! It completely checks all the boxes for truly Indulgent Breakfast Recipes without feeling like a chore. This is the definition of Make Ahead Breakfast Comfort Food, which means you get to actually relax when your guests arrive. If you love easy options like my breakfast cookies, you need this bake in your life!

Make-Ahead Magic for Stress-Free Mornings

Remember how I used to dread cooking after a long week? This recipe flips that script! You prepare the whole thing the night before, cover it up, and stick it in the fridge. That way, when it’s time for that big family brunch, you just pop it into the oven. Zero morning stress!

The Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Fusion Recipes Flavor

What I adore is the texture. You get those satisfyingly soft rolls soaked completely through in the maple-cinnamon custard. When you bake it, the centers stay incredibly gooey—that’s truly the Gooey Cinnamon Breakfast vibe we all dream about!

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Gathering Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Roll French Toast

Before we get into the magic of the overnight soak, we need to gather our simple supplies. This recipe thrives because we are using shortcuts—that’s okay! It’s all about keeping the process approachable for everyone, which is my number one priority here. You’ll need just a few specific items to make this happen, so let’s get organized!

The Base: Refrigerated Rolls and Custard Components

You are going to grab one standard package—that’s 12.5 ounces—of the refrigerated cinnamon rolls that still come with the icing packets. We need those icing packets later! Then, for the beautiful custard soak, whisk together 6 large eggs with 1 cup of whole milk. Don’t forget the flavor boosters: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, a whisper of nutmeg (just 1/4 teaspoon!), and a pinch of salt. See? So easy!

Finishing Touches: The Essential Glaze

The store-bought icing packets are crucial here because they melt perfectly over the hot casserole. That’s your built-in glaze! If you want to serve extra sweetness on the side for those who really love syrup—and who doesn’t?—you’ll want about 1/4 cup of real maple syrup ready to go. That combination of sweet icing and pure maple syrup is just breathtaking.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

This is where the magic happens! Because we did all the hard work soaking the rolls yesterday, today is mostly hands-off. Remember, the goal here is to be confident and happy in the kitchen, and these instructions are crystal clear so you don’t have any doubts about your baking success. If you want to see what else you can bake ahead using similar cinnamon flavors, check out my pumpkin cinnamon roll bake!

Preparation and Soaking: Making the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Overnight

First things first, make sure your 9×13 inch dish is greased well! Now, take those delicious canned cinnamon rolls and place them right into that bottom, distributing them evenly. Remember, don’t worry about separating them right now; they bake together beautifully! Next, take that custard we made and pour it slowly and evenly right over the rolls. Gently press down on them with a spatula—we really need them to act like sponges and soak up all that creamy goodness. Once they are damp, cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap. This is the most important step for achieving an incredibly moist result: let it sit in the fridge for at least four hours, but honestly, overnight is always best for deep flavor soak!

Baking and Finishing the Decadent Brunch Ideas

When you are ready to serve those Decadent Brunch Ideas, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit—that’s 190 degrees Celsius if you use Celsius! Take the plastic wrap off the dish so the tops can brown nicely. Bake it for about 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done because it will look puffed up and golden all over. As soon as it comes out of the oven, don’t wait—immediately grab those icing packets that came with the rolls and drizzle them all over the hot surface. Slice it up while it’s still warm, and maybe offer some extra maple syrup tableside. Wow, you just made the best breakfast!

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Expert Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll French Toast Results

Even though this recipe is designed to be super simple—and I love the shortcut of using the canned rolls—I have a couple of little tricks up my sleeve to make sure you nail this every single time. Remember my philosophy? Big on flavor, approachable for all! These little tweaks help us build confidence when cooking.

When You Want to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast From Scratch

If you really want to level up your game or if you just aren’t feeling the refrigerated approach, you absolutely can do this from scratch! Skip the canned stuff and use six or seven slices of a really sturdy bread like thick-cut brioche or challah bread instead. Just cut them into chunks, toss them in the custard, and let them soak overnight. You might miss that official swirl, but the texture from using real bread is simply amazing, like in my fluffy French toast recipe.

Adjusting for Time Constraints

Okay, let’s be real, sometimes you wake up craving this but didn’t plan ahead. If you’re short on time, you *can* bake this casserole right away without the overnight soak. But listen to me: don’t expect the same gooey perfection! The texture will be just fine—it’s still delicious for a Quick Cinnamon Morning Treat—but because the bread pieces haven’t fully absorbed that custard, they won’t meld together quite as seamlessly. Just pop it in the oven when it’s puffed up a bit from sitting for 30 minutes.

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Variations on Your Sweet French Toast Variations

You know I love keeping things interesting! Even though this casserole is practically perfect as is, sometimes we need a little twist on our Sweet French Toast Variations. Keeping the core idea of the Cinnamon Roll French Toast fusion alive, here are a couple of easy swaps you can try next time you make this decadent dish. Think of these as small changes that make a big impact! If you love the spice here, you really need to check out my pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe too!

Adding Fruit to Your Cinnamon Roll French Toast

If you want to brighten up the richness, try tossing in some diced fruit before the overnight soak. Diced Fuji apples work beautifully because they hold their shape, or a handful of fresh or frozen berries adds a lovely tart burst against all that sweet cinnamon. Just scatter them over the rolls before pouring on the custard base.

Upgrading the Glaze for Your Cinnamon Roll French Toast

The icing packets that come with the rolls are certainly convenient for that classic look, perfect for an Easy Weekend Breakfast. But if you want a richer finish for your French Toast Casserole with Glaze, try this: when the casserole is baking, soften one ounce of plain cream cheese and whisk it with one teaspoon of milk and a splash of vanilla. Then, mix that into the icing packets, and drizzle that richer glaze on top when it comes out of the oven. You won’t regret it!

Serving Suggestions for This Indulgent Breakfast Recipes

Now that you have this gorgeous, warm, gooey masterpiece out of the oven—how do you serve it? Because this Cinnamon Roll French Toast casserole is super rich, I like to balance it out so we don’t all crash before noon! Think of this as a mini-dessert, so pair it with something fresh.

I always serve this alongside a big bowl of mixed fresh fruit as part of those Decadent Brunch Ideas. Berries, sliced oranges, maybe some crisp melon—something tangy to cut through that sugar! And, you absolutely need great coffee. If you’re looking for another sweet centerpiece, check out my recipe for fluffy pancakes, but honestly, this casserole stands on its own!

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Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Cinnamon Roll French Toast

Believe it or not, this casserole is still amazing the next day, provided you store it right! Once completely cooled, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. It keeps perfectly well in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready for leftovers, forget the microwave! It totally ruins the texture.

Instead, heat individual slices on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, about 10 minutes. This keeps the bottom slightly firm and the top soft. This simple step ensures you still get that wonderful, comforting breakfast experience!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Roll French Toast

I know you might have a few lingering questions because, let’s be honest, combining two perfect breakfast items into one bake raises the stakes! That’s what I’m here for. My whole mission here at Pure Cooking Joy is to make sure you feel confident serving up these amazing dishes, whether you’re making a huge spread or just need some quick, easy breakfast casserole inspiration.

Can I use different bread instead of refrigerated rolls for this cinnamon roll french toast?

Oh, absolutely! If you’re feeling ambitious or just don’t have the canned rolls on hand, you can definitely make this work. You just need a nice, sturdy bread to soak up that custard without falling apart. I highly recommend using thick slices of brioche or challah bread. Just cut them into cubes, toss them with a little bit of the cinnamon swirl from a cinnamon roll container (if you have some left!), and soak them overnight just like the original rolls. The payoff is delicious, but I will tell you, the texture will be slightly different—less of that super soft, pre-made gooiness, and more of a wonderful, sturdy bread soak.

What is the best way to reheat this casserole to keep it moist?

This is a great question, especially if you are making this for guests and have leftovers! The microwave will work in a pinch, but it usually turns those lovely edges a little tough. To keep that perfect texture, I always recommend reheating slices in the oven. Cover the slices loosely with aluminum foil—this traps the steam and keeps everything nice and cozy—and heat them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. I find that using an air fryer for a few minutes also works wonders for crisping the edges just right, which keeps it wonderfully appealing for those picky eaters and maintains that Kid Friendly Sweet Breakfasts texture.

How long can I store the prepared cinnamon roll french toast casserole before baking?

My absolute favorite way to do this is the overnight soak—definitely aim for that 8 to 12-hour window. That lengthy soak ensures the custard permeates every nook and cranny, guaranteeing a uniform bake. That said, if life gets busy, you can safely refrigerate the assembled (but unshredded) casserole for up to 24 hours. Just try not to leave it soaking for longer than that, or the bread/rolls can get a little too soggy before they ever hit that hot oven air!

Nutritional Estimates for This Comfort Food Favorite

Okay, let’s talk plates and portions. Because this Cinnamon Roll French Toast casserole is so decadent—and honestly, uses some store-bought help—the nutrition values are definitely on the indulgent side! Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates based on a standard serving size of one slice.

For one serving, you’re looking at roughly 450 calories, with about 35 grams of sugar, and 22 grams of fat. This is why I always say balance it out with fresh fruit for your Decadent Brunch Ideas! Since we are using packaged goods, these numbers can shift based on what brand of rolls you buy. Just know the joy you get from making this incredible, simple dish is worth every single satisfying bite!

If you’re tracking macros for other meals, you might want to check out my chicken sausage pasta skillet for a lighter dinner option later in the week to balance things out.

Share Your Pure Cooking Joy

I really hope you give this Cinnamon Roll French Toast casserole a try! Seriously, seeing your creations brings me so much happiness, it’s why I started this whole thing. Cooking is about connection, and I want to see how you make this dish your own!

When you pull that golden, icing-drizzled brick out of the oven, snap a picture! We have a wonderful little community already forming over on Facebook, and I’d be thrilled if you joined us. Go ahead and share your morning moments over at the official Pure Cooking Joy page—you can find us by clicking right here: come hang out with us on Facebook!

If you make this easy weekend breakfast and it becomes a new favorite for your family, please do me a favor and leave a rating and a comment right down below this post. Hearing what you loved—maybe it was the make-ahead factor or the gooey texture—helps me create more recipes you’ll actually want to make. Head over to the main blog page to see what other simple, joyful recipes I’ve cooked up for you this week!

Easy Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

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Make this simple, make-ahead casserole that combines the comfort of cinnamon rolls with classic French toast. It is perfect for weekend brunch or special mornings.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 35 min
• Total Time: 50 min
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Brunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (12.5 ounce) package refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing)
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Open the cinnamon roll package. Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly. Do not separate the rolls.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until fully combined. This creates your custard base.
4. Pour the egg custard evenly over the cinnamon rolls in the baking dish. Gently press down on the rolls to help them absorb the liquid.
5. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
6. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Remove the plastic wrap.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed, golden brown, and the center is set.
8. Remove the casserole from the oven. Immediately drizzle the icing packets that came with the rolls over the warm casserole.
9. Slice and serve warm with extra maple syrup if desired.

Notes

• For the best results, use thick-cut brioche or challah bread if you prefer making this entirely from scratch instead of using refrigerated rolls.
• If you are short on time, you can bake this immediately after soaking, but the texture will be less uniform.
• This recipe is a great alternative to complex meal planning; it is a satisfying comfort food favorite.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 150mg