Cinnamon Roll French Toast
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This Cinnamon Roll French Toast delivers everything you love about cinnamon rolls without the work. Gooey cinnamon filling, buttery brioche, crunchy cinnamon sugar, and cream cheese glaze, in about 25 minutes.
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 Stuffed French Toast
If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels a little extra without a lot of extra work, this is it. This stuffed French toast has all the cozy flavors of a homemade cinnamon roll, but comes together in about 25 minutes.
- Tastes like a cinnamon roll: A buttery cinnamon filling melts into the center while it cooks, then every bite gets coated in cinnamon sugar and finished with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze.
- Easy to make: No yeast, no waiting for dough to rise, and no complicated steps. Just mix, dip, cook, and enjoy.
- Perfect for special mornings: It’s an easy way to make holidays, birthdays, or weekend brunch feel a little more memorable.
- Better than the bakery: Soft, buttery brioche, a gooey cinnamon center, a crisp cinnamon sugar coating, and sweet cream cheese glaze make every bite taste like a fresh cinnamon roll.
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
If you asked me to pick one sweet breakfast for a birthday brunch, this would be it every single time. The cinnamon butter filling melts into the brioche as it cooks, creating a gooey center that tastes just like the inside of a warm cinnamon roll. Add the crisp cinnamon sugar coating and cream cheese glaze, and it’s almost impossible to stop at one serving. This is the recipe I make when I want breakfast to feel a little extra without spending half the morning in the kitchen.
Tip from Jesseca:
Keep the heat at medium-low and don’t rush the cooking process. The goal is to give the cinnamon filling enough time to melt into the bread while the outside turns perfectly golden. As soon as each piece comes off the skillet, roll it in the cinnamon sugar while it’s still hot. That quick step gives every bite the same sweet, slightly crisp coating you’d find on the outside of a bakery-style cinnamon roll.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Ingredients
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it uses simple pantry staples to create something that tastes like it came from a bakery.
- Brioche bread: Soft, buttery brioche is my first choice because it soaks up the custard without falling apart. Thick-cut Texas toast is another great option.
- Eggs, milk, and cinnamon: A simple custard gives the bread that classic French toast texture while adding just a hint of warm cinnamon flavor.
- Butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon: Mixed together, these create a quick cinnamon filling that melts into the center as the French toast cooks.
- Cinnamon sugar: Rolling the hot French toast in cinnamon sugar adds a sweet, lightly crisp coating that makes every bite taste like a fresh cinnamon roll.
- Cream cheese glaze: Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk whisk together into a smooth glaze that ties everything together.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Variations
Try one of these simple variations:
- Switch up the bread: Brioche is my favorite, but thick-cut Texas toast or challah are both delicious options that hold up well to the filling and custard.
- Add some crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cream cheese glaze for a little texture and a cinnamon roll-inspired finish.
- Warm up the spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon filling for even more cozy flavor.
- Top with fresh fruit: Sliced strawberries, blueberries, or bananas help balance the rich cinnamon filling and cream cheese glaze.
- Drizzle with maple syrup: The glaze is sweet enough on its own, but a little warm maple syrup makes this feel extra special for holidays and weekend brunch.
- Make it extra decadent: Finish with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.
Best Bread for Stuffed French Toast Recipe
The secret to great French toast starts with the bread. Since this recipe has a cinnamon filling tucked inside, you’ll want something sturdy enough to hold everything together while still staying soft in the center.
Brioche (my favorite): Rich, buttery, and soft, brioche creates the closest texture to an actual cinnamon roll. It crisps up beautifully on the outside while staying fluffy inside.
Texas toast: A great alternative if you can’t find brioche. Its thick slices are sturdy enough to hold the filling and soak up the custard without falling apart.
Challah: Similar to brioche, challah has a slightly lighter texture and a subtle sweetness that works wonderfully in this recipe.
French bread: If using French bread, choose a soft loaf rather than a crusty baguette. Thick slices work best.
Whichever bread you choose, aim for slices that are about ¾ to 1 inch thick. Thin sandwich bread tends to become soggy and doesn’t hold the cinnamon filling as well.
What to Serve With Cinnamon Bun French Toast
This is rich, sweet, and satisfying on its own, so I like to pair it with a few simple sides to round out the meal.
- Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage: The salty, savory flavor is the perfect balance to the sweet cinnamon sugar and cream cheese glaze.
- Fresh fruit: A bowl of berries, sliced peaches, or melon adds a fresh, light contrast.
- Scrambled eggs: An easy way to add a little protein and turn this into a complete breakfast.
- Hash browns or breakfast potatoes: If you’re serving brunch for a crowd, crispy potatoes make a great addition.
- Coffee or cold brew: A hot cup of coffee (or an iced cold brew) pairs perfectly with the warm cinnamon flavors.
- Fresh orange juice: Bright, citrusy orange juice helps balance the richness and makes the whole meal feel a little more special.
Whether you’re making it for a lazy Saturday morning, Christmas breakfast, or a birthday brunch, these simple sides turn Cinnamon Bun French Toast into a meal everyone will remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Thick-cut Texas toast is a great alternative and holds up well to the cinnamon filling and egg mixture. Brioche is my favorite because of its rich, buttery flavor, but both work beautifully.
You can, but I don’t recommend it. Regular sandwich bread is thinner and tends to become soggy, making it harder to hold the cinnamon filling. A thicker bread gives you the best texture.
A little bit of the filling melting out during cooking is completely normal. Try leaving a small border around the edges when spreading the filling and cook over medium-low heat so the bread has time to brown before the filling becomes too runny.
You can, but I highly recommend keeping it. The tangy glaze balances the sweet cinnamon sugar coating and is what really gives this recipe that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
While this is best enjoyed fresh off the skillet, leftovers are still delicious and easy to reheat.
- Refrigerate: Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If possible, store the cream cheese glaze separately and drizzle it over after reheating.
- Freeze: Let the French toast cool completely, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat straight from frozen.
Reheating
- Skillet (my favorite): Warm the French toast in a lightly buttered skillet over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side until heated through.
- Air Fryer: Heat at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, or until warm and lightly crisp.
- Oven: Arrange on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat in 20 to 30 second intervals until warmed through. The French toast will be softer than when reheated in a skillet or air fryer.
If the cream cheese glaze has been refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or warm it for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave before drizzling over the reheated French toast.
Craving more breakfast inspiration? Take a peek at all of my favorite breakfast recipes.
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Cinnamon Roll filled french toast recipe
Ingredients
French Toast
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 slices thick-cut brioche bread (or Texas toast)
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- ¼ cup salted butter (softened)
- 6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter (softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the softened butter, brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, and vanilla until a smooth paste forms.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over one side of four slices of bread. Top each with another slice to create four sandwiches.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and lightly butter the surface.
- Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Let any excess drip off.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the filling is warm and melted.
- While the French toast cooks, stir together the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a shallow dish.
- Immediately transfer each hot sandwich to the cinnamon sugar mixture and coat both sides evenly.
- For the glaze, whisk together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to create a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm French toast and serve immediately.
Notes
- Brioche is my first choice because it’s buttery and soft, but thick-cut Texas toast works well too.
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened before mixing for the smoothest filling and glaze.
- Roll the French toast in the cinnamon sugar while it’s still hot so the coating sticks.
- Cook over medium-low heat to allow the filling to warm through without burning the bread.
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.
