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This simple Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast recipe is ready in under an hour and with less effort than homemade cinnamon rolls. Buttery brioche bread in a rich egg mixture and topped with butter, cinnamon and sugar. Topped with cream cheese icing and perfect for a holiday breakfast or a quiet weekend in!
There is nothing, and I mean nothing like waking up to freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
And sometimes, you really want cinnamon rolls like these Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls or Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls, but sometimes you do not want to put in the time or the effort to have the ooey gooey goodness!
That is 100% where this cinnamon roll French toast casserole comes in!
Why You Will Love This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake
15 minutes of prep. Seriously. No kneading, no rolling, no waiting for anything to rise–none of that. Simple, no nonsense prep.
This cinnamon baked French toast seriously tastes just like a cinnamon roll! You will be so amazed by how incredible this is and how much it actually tastes like cinnamon rolls–only better if you ask me. A lot of similar recipes use actual refrigerated cinnamon roll dough. That is a bit too much for me. I love using brioche bread for a light, buttery flavor that gives you a cinnamon roll like texture.
Cream cheese icing. Everything is better with cream cheese. Everything. So easy to whip up while the French Toast is baking.
You can make this recipe in advance. If you don’t want to do a lot of work the morning you are serving this dish, prepare it the night before. Allow the bread to soak in the egg mixture and absorb it overnight. Just add the butter and cinnamon brown sugar mixture before you bake.
Maybe you are heading into the holidays and want a new morning tradition with the family, or maybe its time! This Pumpkin French Toast Casserole should also be on your list! And for the rest of the year, my cinnamon roll overnight oats or breakfast cookies are always a great way to start the day!
Ingredient Notes
See full list of ingredients with exact measurements below in recipe card!
- brioche bread: For best results, I recommend using sliced Brioche bread. Second, you want to make sure it is day old–as in let it sit out overnight. This will keep the bread from getting overly soggy when soaked in the egg mixture. Brioche bread, when baked in this recipe has more of the buttery pastry like texture to it you will find in a cinnamon roll. If you don’t have any, then use a thicker sliced bread like Texas Toast.
- milk: I recommend whole milk for this cinnamon roll French toast bake–you want the thick, full fat dairy for the richest flavor and texture.
- cream: heavy cream will also add a bit of richness and flavor
- brown sugar: I opt for light brown sugar but you can use dark if preferred
Ways To Vary This Recipe
- add in berries: this recipe is amazing with blueberries mixed in with the egg and bread mixture. You can also use raspberries, apples, strawberries and more.
- add some nuts: toss in chopped pecans, sliced almonds, walnuts, etc. or you can sprinkle them over top
- vary the bread: use a gluten free bread if needed or use something like French bread, Texas toast or my personal favorite in baked French toast, challah!
Step-By- Step Instructions
Step 1: To make the very best cinnamon French Toast bake, start out with stale, day old bread. That is the main thing you want to make sure you are using for best results. Once the bread is cubed and dried out a bit, whisk together the egg mixture (eggs, milk, cream, vanilla) well.
Step 2: Pour it over the bread and gently toss to coat and allow the bread to absorb it as much as possible.
Step 3: Transfer the egg soaked bread to well greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Arrange it into an even layer and pour over any excess egg from the bottom of the bowl.
Step 4: From there, drizzle or brush the melted butter over top of the bread. Stir the cinnamon and brown sugar together and sprinkle it over top of the butter drizzled bread, gently pressing it into the bread to moisten it slightly. You can use as little or as much of this as you like–I like a VERY generous amount of the cinnamon and sugar!
Step 5: Bake the cinnamon French Toast for about 25 minutes or until the top is brown and crispy and the egg has been cooked and absorbed–there shouldn’t be any wet spots in the dish.
Step 6: While the French Toast bakes, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese and butter for the icing. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and mix and then slowly mix in the powdered sugar until desired consistency.
Step 7: After removing the baked French Toast from the oven and allowing it to cool for about 5 minutes or, spread the icing over top.
Step 8: Slice and serve! You are also welcome to skip the icing and just serve this with maple syrup drizzled over top.
Recipe Tips
- The key to this recipe is thick brioche bread that has been sitting out overnight. If you don’t have time to do so, bake the bread in the oven for about 30 minutes at 325°F to dry it out. Fresh bread will bread down and become very soggy.
- If you don’t like the top of your French Toast too crispy, loosely cover the pan with foil while baking. This will extend the time to bake a bit, but the top will not become as browned. You can remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow it to brown a bit more.
- Time saving tip: use store bought cream cheese frosting to save some time when making this recipe!
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers for up to about 3-4 days in an airtight container. You can reheat it in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes (if reheating just a couple of slices, not the entire dish.) I imagine it could be great to reheat in an air fryer as well!
You can freeze leftovers as well by allowing it to cool completely and then transfer to a freezer safe container. This freezes better before adding the icing if you want to bake the entire dish and then freeze.
Other Breakfast Recipes:
- Cinnamon Cheesecake Stuffed Crescent Wreath
- Blueberry Muffin Baked Oatmeal
- Apple Cinnamon Donuts with Apple Cider Glaze
- The Easiest Homemade Pop Tarts
- Maple Bacon French Toast Muffins
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Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast
Ingredients
For the French Toast
- 12 slices brioche bread, day old , 16 oz. loaf
- 6 ggs, large
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp butter,melted
- ½ cup Brown sugar
- 1 ½ Tbsp cinnamon
For the Icing
- 4 Tbsp butter, softened
- 4 oz Cream cheese, softened
- ¾ – 1 cup Powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Before you start, you want to have day old bread. I let mine sit out overnight. If you don't have time, you can put the bread in the oven at 325°F for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway to dry it out a bit on your own. This keeps the bread from getting too soggy when baking. When the bread is ready, slice into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
- From there, preheat the oven to 375°F. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream and vanilla well. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Melt the 4 T of butter and set aside. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with oil.
- Toss the egg mixture with the bread and allow the bread to absorb as much as possible. Transfer the mixture to the well greased baking pan. Drizzle or brush the melted butter over top of the bread. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over top, covering completely.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown and the casserole is set and does not have any uncooked or moist egg spots. Allow it to cool for about 5 minutes.
- While the French Toast bakes, using a mixer, combine the cream cheese and softened butter for the icing until smooth and creamy. Add in the vanilla and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar until you reach desired consistency. Spread the icing on the French toast bake and cut to serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I accidentally poured the butter on the French toast help!!!!!!
You’re fine! Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over top and should be good to go!