Cinnamon Roll French Toast

Just when we thought cinnamon rolls were the ultimate breakfast indulgence or that nothing could beat the cheeky French toast brunch order, the two dishes were combined, creating a mind-blowing morning meal: cinnamon roll French toast.

In this recipe, baked cinnamon rolls are cut in half horizontally, soaked briefly in a classic French toast custard and griddled until golden brown. The cinnamon roll icing acts as the French toast’s topping, along with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. Yes, it’s very indulgent. And, yes, a midday nap will possibly ensue. But it’s completely worth it, and you’ll reach for this recipe over and over again.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll French Toast

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• Cinnamon rolls: Store-bought cinnamon rolls make this recipe a cinch to put together. Be sure that the cinnamon roll package includes icing, and set the icing aside to serve later as a topping.
• Eggs: Bring your eggs to room temperature so the custard blends more easily. We don’t want pieces of scrambled egg in our cinnamon roll French toast!
• Whole milk: Whole milk makes the custard extra-rich and creamy.
• Sugar: Replace the granulated sugar with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup for a deeper sweetness, if desired.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract or vanilla paste creates a wonderfully delicate, floral flavor in the custard. Feel free to swap in almond extract for added nuttiness or orange extract to freshen up the flavor.
• Ground cinnamon: A little extra cinnamon in the custard ensures we don’t lose the cinnamon rolls’ iconic flavor.
• Toppings: Good maple syrup, butter and the cinnamon roll package’s icing make the perfect toppings for cinnamon roll French toast. Although, if desired, feel free to switch it up with confectioners’ sugar, fresh fruit or jam, peanut butter or even marshmallow fluff.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the cinnamon rolls

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Bake your store-bought cinnamon rolls according to the package’s directions, but set the icing aside. Let the cinnamon rolls cool completely to room temperature, then slice each roll in half horizontally.

Step 2: Whip up the custard

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Coat the skillet with cooking spray.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon until well combined.

Step 3: Soak the cinnamon rolls

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Working in batches, dip each cinnamon roll half in the egg mixture, 30 seconds per side.

Editor’s Tip: Let any excess drip off the rolls before placing them on the skillet.

Step 4: Cook until golden brown

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Transfer the dipped cinnamon rolls to a hot skillet. Let them cook until the one side is golden brown, two to three minutes. Use a spatula to peek underneath to check for doneness, then flip the rolls to the other side and cook until golden brown, another two to three minutes.

Your cinnamon roll French toasts are ready to serve! Serve them immediately off the skillet with butter, maple syrup and the reserved icing.

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Recipe Variations

• Play around with spices: During the cozy seasons, I love to dress up any and all sweets with extra fall spices. Nutmeg, allspice, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice would be excellent in the custard along with the cinnamon.
• Add a bit of citrus: Brighten up the custard with a little bit of orange or lemon zest. Just be sure to avoid the bitter white pith!
• Swap the milks: If you don’t have whole milk on hand, don’t stress. You can use any type of milk or cream, like heavy cream, buttermilk or a nondairy milk alternative, in its place.

How to Store Cinnamon Roll French Toast

Once the cinnamon roll French toast recipe has cooled to room temperature, stash the rolls in airtight containers and store them in the fridge. They can be refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop in a pan over low heat.

Can you freeze cinnamon roll French toast?

Yes, you can freeze cinnamon roll French toast. Once the rolls have cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container. If you’re stacking the rolls, place a piece of parchment or waxed paper in between each layer to prevent the rolls from sticking together. They can be kept frozen for up to two months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge, then reheat them the next morning.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Tips

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Can you use homemade cinnamon rolls in place of store-bought ones?

Yes, you can turn any batch of unfrosted, homemade cinnamon rolls into French toast. Start by slicing the rolls in half horizontally, keeping the spiral intact. Soak the slices in the French toast custard, then griddle each piece according to this cinnamon roll French toast recipe.

What do you serve with cinnamon roll French toast?

To offset the carbs and sugar from this recipe, serve it with protein-rich sides like eggs, breakfast sausages and a plate of bacon. Fresh fruit is lovely on top as a refreshing palate cleanser that breaks up the richness. Really, though, any breakfast recipes would be great served alongside this dish!

Why is my cinnamon roll French toast soggy?

There are a few reasons why your cinnamon roll French toast recipe may have turned out soggy. The first reason is if the cinnamon rolls were soaked for too long in the custard. You don’t want to saturate the rolls, just soak them quickly. Saturating will make the bread start to break down.

Another reason the French toast may be soggy is if it was cooked on too-high heat. Too-high heat will quickly cook the outside, but the French toast might be charred by the time the inside is cooked. Be sure to cook the cinnamon roll French toast over medium heat at most.