Cinnamon Roll French Toast
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Cinnamon Roll French Toast! Whether you’ve got a stash of store-bought cinnamon rolls, some homemade leftovers, or just popped open a can of baked cinnamon rolls, this easy breakfast recipe is about to elevate your brunch game. Imagine all the gooey, cinnamon goodness of a cinnamon roll, now with the crispy, custardy magic of French toast. It’s a match made in breakfast heaven!
Want to take your love for French toast a step further? Be sure to try my cinnamon roll waffles, French toast muffins, and coconut French toast!
Why You’ll Love this Cinnamon Roll French Toast
- Easy twist on French toast: Turn a classic breakfast into something extraordinary with minimal effort.
- Crowd favorite: This sweet, gooey delight is guaranteed to impress and satisfy everyone at the table.
- Use leftover cinnamon rolls or canned: No waste here! Perfect for repurposing homemade leftovers or those convenient canned rolls.
- Quick and simple: Ready in a flash, making it perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekends.
I found a bag of frozen cinnamon rolls way back in the deepest part of my freezer this last week. I remember packing them in there months ago, thinking I would pull them out one day. Not only did I not remember them, I let them waste away in the abyss that is the back of the freezer.
Luckily, with some quick thinking I was able to use those leftovers to whip up this cinnamon rolls French toast recipe! This is like a breakfast dream come true. Imagine the gooey, sugary goodness of a cinnamon roll paired with the rich, custardy texture of French toast. Each bite is a delightful mix of cinnamon-spiced sweetness, with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center. It’s like having dessert for breakfast, but better!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cinnamon Rolls: Canned cinnamon rolls should be fully bake them according to package instructions before using. This ensures they hold up well in the French toast mixture. If using leftover homemade rolls, slightly warm them in the microwave to make slicing easier.
- Eggs: Whisk the eggs until they are completely blended for a smooth custard mixture. Using room temperature eggs helps for better blending with the milk and spices.
- Milk: Whole milk or half-and-half will give you a richer custard, but you can use any milk you prefer.
- Honey: Blend honey thoroughly into the custard mixture to ensure even sweetness. You can also drizzle a little extra honey on top before serving for added sweetness.
- Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. A little goes a long way and you want to add vanilla after blending eggs and milk to retain its aromatic properties.
- Spices: Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Ensure the spices are well mixed into the custard to avoid clumping and ensure even flavor distribution.
What To Serve With:
Need some delicious options to serve along side your sweet roll creation? Try one of these tasty options:
How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast
- Prep the Cinnamon Rolls: If using canned baked cinnamon rolls, bake them according to the package instructions and let them cool slightly. Cut each cinnamon roll in half horizontally.
- Make the Custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, honey, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Dip the Cinnamon Rolls: Dip each cinnamon roll half into the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are well-coated. Let any excess custard drip off.
- Cook the French Toast: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray. Place the custard-coated cinnamon roll halves on the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the cinnamon roll French toast warm with your favorite toppings, like maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, or extra honey.
Helpful Tools
These tools will make the process smooth and easy, ensuring you get perfect Cinnamon Roll French Toast every time. Enjoy!
- Medium Bowl: (affiliate) For mixing the custard ingredients.
- Whisk: (affiliate) To thoroughly blend the eggs, milk, honey, vanilla, and spices.
- Cutting Board: (affiliate) For cutting the pre-baked cinnamon rolls in half.
- Sharp Knife: (affiliate) To slice the cinnamon rolls.
- Non-stick Skillet or Griddle: (affiliate) For cooking the French toast.
- Spatula: (affiliate) To flip the cinnamon roll halves while cooking.
Tips for Success:
- Day-old Cinnamon Rolls Work Best: Slightly stale cinnamon rolls hold up better when dipped in the custard, giving you a firmer texture.
- Enhance the Egg Custard: Add a splash of heavy cream along with the milk for a richer custard. Don’t forget the spices – cinnamon and nutmeg add fantastic flavor.
- Cream Cheese Drizzle: Make a simple cream cheese drizzle by mixing softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a bit of vanilla extract. This pairs perfectly with maple syrup for an indulgent topping.
- Skillet Choice: Use a nonstick or cast iron skillet for cooking. Both ensure even cooking and make flipping the cinnamon roll halves easier.
- Even Dipping: Ensure each cinnamon roll half is evenly coated with the custard for consistent texture and flavor.
- Control the Heat: Cook over medium heat to avoid burning the exterior while ensuring the inside is fully cooked.
- Serve Warm: This is best enjoyed fresh off the skillet while it’s warm and crispy.
- Top It Off: Besides maple syrup and cream cheese drizzle, consider adding fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a dollop of whipped cream for extra flair.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Homemade cinnamon rolls work great for this recipe. If they are a day old, they’ll hold up even better when dipped in the custard.
Yes, you can! Feel free to get creative with fillings like chocolate chips, fruit preserves, or nut butters. Just be sure they don’t make the rolls too soggy before dipping in the custard.
You can prepare the French toast a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.
The best way to reheat leftovers is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the French toast on a baking sheet, and heat for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast pairs well with a variety of toppings, including:
Maple syrup
Cream cheese drizzle
Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Whipped cream
Powdered sugar
Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts)
Sliced bananas
Honey
Caramel sauce
These toppings will add extra flavor and make your French toast even more delightful!
More French Toast Recipes to Try
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Cinnamon Roll French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 large cinnamon rolls (preferably unfrosted)
Instructions
- If using canned baked cinnamon rolls, bake them according to the package instructions and let them cool slightly. Cut each cinnamon roll in half horizontally.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, honey, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Dip each cinnamon roll half into the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are well-coated. Let any excess custard drip off.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray. Place the custard-coated cinnamon roll halves on the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the cinnamon roll French toast warm with your favorite toppings, like maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, or extra honey.
Video
Notes
- Day-old Cinnamon Rolls Work Best: Slightly stale cinnamon rolls hold up better when dipped in the custard, giving you a firmer texture.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
