59 Breakfast Recipes That Are Secretly Desserts

Turn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert—or breakfast! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas

Mmm…bananas Foster for breakfast! This yummy baked French toast serves up all the taste of the spectacular dessert in fine fashion. —L G Nasson, Quincy, Massachusetts

These super fun waffles—soft on the inside, crisp on the outside—taste just like cake batter! They are quick to whip up anytime but would make birthday mornings feel even more special. —Andrea Fetting, Franklin, Wisconsin

Maple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, Oregon

We enjoy this chocolate monkey bread as we open gifts on Christmas. It’s impossible to resist. —Heather Deterding, Odenton, Maryland

You can make these bites in advance and refrigerate them before frying. Just be sure to bring the dough to room temperature before frying. —Renee Greene, Smithtown, New York

Who doesn’t love red velvet cake? These pancakes are my excuse to have this delectable treat for breakfast! We make it a tradition at Christmastime to have a lazy pancake breakfast and read the enchanting fables in Letters from Father Christmas penned by J.R.R. Tolkien for his children. —Sue Brown, West Bend, Wisconsin

I’ve always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they’re easy! Sometimes I’ll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado

With their dark chocolate flavor and cherry and cream topping, these waffles add a fancy touch to brunch with very little effort. —Edith Johnson, Fruita, Colorado

This cozy recipe is delicious for breakfast or brunch. I usually make a double batch—because everyone wants more! With our own orchard, we have plenty of Delicious and Winesap apples…they make this a true Midwestern meal. —Ruth Schafer, Defiance, Ohio

Good morning, indeed! These tender, moist pumpkin pancakes will make everyone wake up early. The cinnamon butter makes a flavor combo that is out of this world! —Courtney Shay, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Here’s a way for fans of carrot cake to have their favorite dessert for breakfast. These delicate, decadent pancakes are drizzled with sweet and spicy maple syrup that complements the sour cream and nut topping. —Leane Goering, Salem, Indiana

Looking for a fantastic brunch item? Then try these ooey-gooey good sticky buns. They use frozen yeast roll dough and couldn’t be simpler to make. The buns rise overnight in the refrigerator, so you just need to bake them the next morning.—Athena Russell, Florence, South Carolina

I’m a big fan of dulce de leche and am always looking for a way to incorporate it into sweet dishes. I decided to make a breakfast dish that was reminiscent of a luscious dulce de leche cheesecake. The pecan topping takes the dish over the top without making it overly sweet. No maple syrup is needed for this French toast casserole!—Anna Stigger, Katy, Texas

This recipe was my dad’s favorite growing up. He would sit and watch his mom sprinkle the dough with sweet filling, carefully roll it up and cut it into rounds. The anticipation waiting for them to come out of the oven was almost more than he could bear. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

My friend makes this French toast bake with blueberries, but I make mine with cranberry sauce. Either way, it’s divine. It makes a great brunch dish for Christmas morning. —Sandie Heindel, Liberty, Missouri

I try to make special foods for my kids, especially on their birthdays. To transform plain ol’ pancake mix, I add cake mix and sprinkles. Frosting closes the deal. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

The sweet honey-walnut topping and tender texture make these sticky rolls a surefire crowd-pleaser. —Debbie Broeker, Rocky Mount, Missouri

This recipe is modeled after German sweet chocolate cake, which is my favorite, so it’s no wonder I enjoy making and eating this sweet-tasting bread! You can make it ahead and freeze to bring out when you need an easy showstopper. —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York

These are a change from ordinary cinnamon rolls, and they’re perfect for coffee breaks. —Rita Lempka, Sterling, NE

“Our three children grew pumpkins to sell,” explains Connie Simon of Reed City, Michigan. “During harvest, it was time to make these scrumptious doughnuts. The orange frosting is super.”

I modified a traditional Dutch baby recipe given to me by a friend to come up with this version my family thinks is terrific. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make. —Mary Thompson, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Is it possible for four kids to cook together without total chaos in the kitchen? Yes, with the right recipe. This cinnamon roll monkey bread is a favorite with my bunch. They get to “play” with the dough as they roll pieces of refrigerated biscuits into balls. —Lisa Combs, Greenville, Ohio

Blending sour cream and cottage cheese, ingredients traditionally associated with blintzes, into the batter of these pancakes gives them old-fashioned flavor. Top these family favorites with berry syrup to turn an ordinary morning into an extraordinary day.—Dianna Digoy, San Diego, California

My family loves these light and fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes. And best of all, they’re sweet enough to enjoy even without syrup. —Kim McConnell, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Holiday breakfasts would not be the same at our house without this delicious coffee cake. Whenever I take it anywhere, everyone raves about it and wants the recipe. —Susan Walschlager, Anderson, Indiana

This sweet, gooey pancake is dressed up with cara melized pears and baked until golden. Cut into serving-size wedges, it’s a special change of pace.

The first time I made this delightful breakfast treat for a brunch party, it was a huge hit. Now I get requests every time family or friends do anything around the breakfast hour! I always keep the four simple ingredients on hand. —Jaime Keeling, Keizer, Oregon

I like to serve this for breakfast when we have overnight guests or for a holiday brunch. It gives Florida visitors a taste of sunshine! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida

Here’s the perfect warm treat for pajama-clad family mornings. These ooey-gooey baked rolls come together in moments—thanks to a tube of refrigerated crescent rolls—and disappear just as quickly. —Kayla Wiegand, Congerville, Illinois

I like to combine the sweet and spicy taste of gingerbread with the cool and dreamy taste of cream cheese frosting. It’s a heavenly way to start the day! —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts

Apple donuts remind me of family trips to South Dakota. We’d stop at Wall Drug for a dozen or so before camping in the Badlands. Maple glaze was and still is my favorite. Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh apple cider donut. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The churro stand is always the first stop my family makes at the county fair. This is an easy way to enjoy the cinnamon-sugar goodness at home.—Kelly Silvers, Edmond, Oklahoma

I was looking for ways to use waffles in a creative way and came up with an idea of making a cake out of them. Not only did it take much less time than making an ordinary cake, it came out just as delicious as a traditional cake. Waffles can be made ahead, wrapped and stored in the fridge until ready to assemble this cake. —Kristina S., Yonkers, New York

Whenever I serve this fruity pancake, people think I slaved for hours. They’re surprised that such an attractive, scrumptious dish could be so easy. —Carol Williams, St. Joseph, Missouri

This recipe is a favorite of our family and not only at Christmas. We especially like to prepare this hearty breakfast when we go camping. —Robert Northrup, Las Cruces, New Mexico

A local blueberry grower shared this recipe with me, and it’s the best breakfast dish I’ve ever tasted. With the cream cheese and berry combination, this blueberry french toast casserole reminds me of dessert. —Patricia Axelsen, Aurora, Minnesota

For 30 years, I’ve been using leftover mashed potatoes to make these light and fluffy doughnuts. The recipe was originally created by my neighbor’s mother-in-law. The doughnuts are great for breakfast or as a snack anytime. —Marilyn Kleinfall, Elk Grove Village, Illinois

My family has a small sugaring operation in our backyard. This recipe makes good use of the maple syrup we make. It’s a family tradition to serve these sticky buns on Thanksgiving every year. —Priscilla Rossi, East Barre, Vermont

Try this yummy treat for a special breakfast or brunch. The layer of chocolate hidden inside makes a wonderful flavor combination that appeals to kids of all ages. You might even be tempted to serve this chocolate sandwich for dessert! —Pat Habiger Spearville, Kansas

This yummy French toast casserole is a breeze to whip up the night before a busy morning. My family loves the richness it gets from cream cheese and maple syrup. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

This is a great breakfast for special days, but it mixes up so fast that it’s perfect for busy mornings as well. —LeeAnn Hansen, Kaysville, Utah

These irresistible rolls are perfect for an Easter brunch!—Lois Jacobsen, Dallas, Wisconsin

As a teenager, I keep active with sports and friends. But baking is my favorite hobby. My five older brothers eat these delicious breakfast rolls right out of the oven! —Julia Holm, Northfield, Minnesota

If you like waffles and chocolate, this recipe is for you. These tender but crunchy waffles are great for breakfast, brunch or an after-dinner dessert. Instead of chocolate topping, top with berries and whipped cream or simply sprinkle with powdered sugar. —Agnes Golian, Garfield Heights, Ohio

These simple pancakes taste so great, you don’t even need syrup! Liven them up by adding cranberries, orange juice and vanilla chips to classic pancake batter. —Aris Gonzalez, Deltona, Florida

I had a craving for something sweet one morning, but all I had around the house were a few ingredients. I had to get creative, and this was the delicious outcome. Now I make it all the time.—Diana Palmer, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

I love this recipe because on Sunday mornings I like to take it easy but I still want my family to have a great breakfast. This allows me to sleep in and feel like I’m a great Mom at the same time. Win!—Alynn Hansen, Mona, Utah

Here’s a simple recipe to create a colorful and fun breakfast (or snack!). For the glaze, use any type of juice you like. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

You can do all the prep work for this monkey bread the night before. I prepare the dough pieces and put all the sauce ingredients in the pan so it’s ready for the morning. You can sprinkle chopped nuts in with the dough pieces before pouring the sauce on and baking. — Diana Kunselman, Rimersburg, Pennsylvania

These pancakes are a real breakfast favorite in our family. Even our 8- and 10-year-old daughters make them all by themselves when they have friends spend the night. Now their friends’ mothers are asking for the recipe! —Cheryl Sowers, Bakersfield, California

Lots of caramel and ice cream topping make this quick pull-apart bread oh so gooey and delicious. It truly is a finger-lickin’ good baked good.—Laura Clifton, Wenatchee, Washington

These sweet French doughnuts are square instead of round and have no hole in the middle. This beignet recipe is a traditional part of breakfast in New Orleans. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana

I always have a few special treats handy when the grandchildren visit. These cake doughnuts are one of their favorite snacks. —Beva Staum, Muscoda, Wisconsin

At our house, Saturday morning always means pancakes for breakfast. I make the menu special by servings up stacks of these fluffy buttermilk treats studded with mini chips. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota

This is baked stuffed french toast casserole a great breakfast dish to make ahead for holidays or Sunday brunch. I run a bed and breakfast and tea room cafe, and this recipe is often requested by customers. —Kay Clark, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

For the chocoholic in you, get your fix early by whipping up a batch of hot cocoa pancakes dotted with mini chocolate chips! — Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota

My mother used to make delicious cinnamon rolls when I was a child. Later, she taught my sister and me to make them. I’ve since added the caramel and pecans. These scrumptious sticky buns are a huge hit wherever I take them. —Judy Powell, Star, Idaho