Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

When you’ve got a house full of people to feed for brunch and don’t know what to make, keep this cinnamon roll French toast casserole recipe in your back pocket. Since regular homemade cinnamon rolls are always a crowd-pleasing (yet labor-intensive) option and store-bought cinnamon rolls don’t always feel quite special enough for company, this French toast casserole with cinnamon rolls is just right. It’s made with oh-so-convenient canned cinnamon rolls, then baked in an eggy cinnamon custard and topped with a sweet brown sugar streusel.

This make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe looks just as impressive as it is easy to make. The delectable crumb topping gives it an artisanal bakery appearance that’s absolutely irresistible once it’s dripping in ooey-gooey vanilla icing. No one will ever guess you had help from the Pillsbury Doughboy!

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

• Canned cinnamon rolls: Store-bought cinnamon rolls will always be one of our favorite shortcut ingredients.
• Butter: A little butter enriches every bite with flavor and prevents the cinnamon from sticking to the pan.
• Eggs: Room-temperature eggs help bind the cinnamon roll pieces together so the casserole can be easily cut into squares for serving.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream combines with eggs to make a rich custard in which the cinnamon rolls bake, making them supremely moist and tender.
• Vanilla extract: Just 2 teaspoons of extract perfume the casserole and add depth of flavor with notes of vanilla. If you don’t already have a bottle on hand, pick up one of the best vanilla extracts as chosen by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
• Cinnamon: More cinnamon is always a good idea. We whisk a bonus teaspoon into the eggs and cream so the cinnamon permeates into every bite of this drool-worthy French toast casserole with cinnamon rolls.
• Flour: Flour helps the streusel topping clump and bind together.
• Sugar: A combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar sweetens the streusel topping to make a crisp and crumbly French toast-flavored crown for the cinnamon roll base.
• Salt: A bit of salt helps balance the sweetness in the French toast streusel crumb topping.
• Pure maple syrup: Ditch the fake syrup and splurge on pure maple syrup. It will infuse the crumb topping with the perfect touch of maple goodness.

Directions

Step 1: Cut and arrange the cinnamon rolls

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Set aside the cinnamon roll icing from the packaged dough. Then, cut the cinnamon rolls into quarters. Brush 4 tablespoons melted butter onto the bottom and sides of a 13×9-inch baking dish. Arrange the cinnamon roll dough pieces in the pan.

Editor’s Tip: To give your French toast cinnamon roll casserole some nice height, arrange about 3/4 of the cinnamon roll pieces in an even, single layer. Then, scatter the remaining pieces on top in a loose second layer. The dough will puff and rise considerably to fill in any gaps.

Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, heavy cream, vanilla and cinnamon together. Pour evenly over the cinnamon roll dough pieces.

Step 3: Make the streusel topping

In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt and remaining 6 tablespoons melted butter. Gently mix until all the dry ingredients are moist and clump into large pieces.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t overmix the streusel. Doing so will transform it into a tough paste and it will not have as nice of a crumbly texture once baked.

Step 4: Top with the streusel and bake

Evenly crumble the streusel over the top of the casserole, then drizzle the top with 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cinnamon roll pieces are fully baked, the eggs are set and the streusel topping is lightly golden.

Step 5: Cool and top with icing

Remove promptly and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Drizzle the top of the French toast cinnamon roll casserole with the reserved cinnamon roll icing and then cut the casserole into squares. Enjoy warm.

TASTE OF HOME

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Variations

• Add raisins or dried fruit: For a French toast casserole with cinnamon rolls that tastes like your favorite cinnamon raisin swirl bread, sprinkle 3/4 cup raisins over the cinnamon rolls before topping with the streusel. You could try dried cranberries, cherries or chopped dried apricots too.
• Try it with chocolate chips: If you’re a chocolate lover, sprinkle 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips over the French toast cinnamon roll casserole before adding the streusel topping.
• Go nuts: For even more texture and crunch, add up to 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, pecans pieces, sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts.
• Choose another icing flavor: Choose any flavor of packaged cinnamon rolls that your family enjoys. Go for a package with cream cheese icing or opt for orange cinnamon rolls—all will taste great in this cinnamon roll French toast casserole.
• Make it boozy: For an adults-only brunch time treat, add one to two shots of RumChata, Irish cream, Kahlua or dark rum to the egg mixture before pouring it over the cinnamon rolls.

How to Store Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

Store leftover cinnamon roll French toast casserole in an airtight food storage container and keep it refrigerated.

How long does cinnamon roll French toast casserole last?

This French toast casserole with cinnamon rolls will stay fresh for up to four days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze cinnamon roll French toast casserole?

Yes! This cinnamon roll French toast casserole recipe may be stored in the freezer for up to two months once baked. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How do you reheat cinnamon roll French toast casserole?

The best way to reheat this cinnamon roll French toast casserole is using the oven, which will crisp up the cinnamon rolls and the streusel topping. Warm at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through. You may also reheat the casserole in the microwave, although the texture will be a bit soggier this way.

Can you make cinnamon roll French toast casserole in advance?

Yes! This is a great breakfast or brunch recipe for holidays or simply when you need to feed a crowd but don’t want to wake up at the crack of dawn to start cooking. Prepare the recipe as directed, but don’t pop it in the oven: Instead, cover it tightly with storage wrap and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours. When ready to bake, remove the pan from the fridge and let it stand for 30 minutes at room temperature before baking as directed. Note that the casserole may need an extra five minutes to fully bake if it is slightly cold going into the oven. Tent it with foil to prevent overbrowning, if necessary. Here are more make-ahead breakfasts we love.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Tips

TASTE OF HOME

Can you prepare this cinnamon roll French toast casserole in a slow cooker?

Yes! This cinnamon roll French toast casserole will cook perfectly in a slow cooker. Prepare the recipe as directed, but add everything to your slow cooker instead of a baking dish. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Uncover, turn off the heat and let the casserole cool slightly before drizzling the top with icing and serving.

Can you make this casserole with homemade cinnamon rolls?

Sure! If you have a homemade cinnamon roll recipe you love, you can swap it for the canned cinnamon rolls.

Can you make this cinnamon roll French toast casserole without the streusel topping?

Yes! You can make this cinnamon roll French toast casserole without the topping if you prefer. Just drizzle the maple syrup directly over the cinnamon roll pieces and then bake as directed. However, we do love this dish as a streusel-topped recipe!

What else can you serve with cinnamon roll French toast casserole?

Complete your brunch menu with a savory main dish like one of these egg casseroles and a few other crowd-pleasing breakfast side dishes. A platter of million-dollar bacon, a coconut tropical fruit salad and some crispy stuffed hash browns are a few of our favorites.