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Easy Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake

EASY CINNAMON ROLL FRENCH TOAST BAKE

This effortless breakfast bake combines the convenience of canned cinnamon rolls with a rich, vanilla French toast custard, creating a decadent, gooey, and easily customizable brunch dish perfect for holidays or a lazy weekend morning.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the French Toast Bake
  • 2 cans (12.4 oz) refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing packets included) Pillsbury Grande or similar sized rolls work best.
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream Substitute with additional milk if needed.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter For greasing the pan, or use cooking spray.

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

1. Prepare the Oven and Rolls
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 9x13 inch baking dish with the tablespoon of butter or cooking spray.
  2. Open the canned cinnamon rolls. Set the included icing packets aside for later use.
  3. Place each cinnamon roll flat on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut each roll into four equal pieces (quarter them).
  4. Scatter the cut cinnamon roll pieces evenly across the bottom of the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish. The pieces should fill the pan and touch each other, but do not compress them too tightly.
2. Prepare the Custard and Soak
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the 6 large eggs, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Whisk until the mixture is completely uniform, slightly frothy, and no streaks of egg yolk remain.
  2. Carefully pour the liquid custard mixture evenly over the scattered cinnamon roll pieces in the baking dish. Ensure every piece is thoroughly covered and coated by the egg mixture.
  3. Allow the bake to sit undisturbed for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the cinnamon rolls to fully absorb the liquid. This ensures a moist interior.
3. Bake and Glaze
  1. Place the baking dish into the preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the center is set, and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
  2. Remove the French toast bake from the oven and place it on a wire rack.
  3. Prepare the reserved icing packets. If the icing is too thick, place the sealed packets in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes or microwave them (unsealed, in a separate bowl) for 5 to 10 seconds to loosen the consistency.
  4. Snip the corner of the icing packets and generously drizzle all the icing over the warm French toast bake. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

For an extra rich flavor, you can substitute 1/4 cup of the whole milk with maple syrup in the custard mixture. If the top begins to brown too quickly during baking, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil. This dish is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated.