Description
Comforting cinnamon roll french toast casserole brings classic breakfast magic to weekend mornings with sweet layers of custardy bread and rich cinnamon swirls. Hearty family gatherings will love this indulgent morning treat that blends beloved breakfast traditions into one irresistible dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Base Ingredients:
- 2 (340 grams) cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing)
- 6 large eggs
Main Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) maple syrup
Topping and Spice Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Slice cinnamon rolls into bite-sized quarters and distribute them uniformly across a generously greased rectangular baking vessel, ensuring even coverage and creating a foundational layer.
- Craft a luxurious custard mixture by thoroughly blending eggs, milk, sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl until the ingredients form a smooth, homogeneous liquid with consistent texture.
- Delicately cascade the prepared custard over the cinnamon roll pieces, employing a gentle pouring technique that guarantees complete saturation of each roll fragment, using a spoon to softly press and encourage maximum liquid absorption.
- Enhance flavor development by covering the assembled dish with plastic wrap and allowing it to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, which permits deeper custard penetration and more complex taste integration.
- Heat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack in the center, and transfer the chilled casserole directly from refrigeration to the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, monitoring until the surface achieves a golden-bronze coloration and the interior sets completely.
- Remove the baked casserole and let it cool momentarily, then embellish with the reserved cinnamon roll icing, drizzling in an artistic pattern across the surface for an additional layer of decadent sweetness.
- Portion the casserole into generous squares, presenting with complementary accompaniments like fresh berries, whipped cream, or a light maple syrup drizzle to elevate the breakfast experience.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Magic: Assemble the casserole the night before to save precious morning time and let flavors meld beautifully overnight.
- Texture Trick: Slightly stale cinnamon rolls work best as they absorb the custard more effectively, preventing a soggy bottom and creating perfect layers.
- Customization Options: Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version, and use gluten-free cinnamon rolls to make this dish celiac-friendly.
- Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts between layers for added crunch and nutty depth, or fold in diced apples for extra moisture and autumnal flair.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg