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    You are here: Home / Breakfast / Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast

    Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast

    Last Updated December 5, 2021. Published November 17, 2020 By Lorie Leave a Comment

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Cinnamon roll baked french toast in pan with cream cheese frosting.

    Get the delicious flavor of cinnamon rolls in a whole new way! This simple Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast recipe is ready in under an hour and with less effort than homemade cinnamon rolls. Topped with cream cheese icing and perfect for a holiday breakfast or a quiet weekend in!

    Slice of cinnamon baked french toast on plate with fork.

    There is nothing, and I mean nothing like waking up to freshly baked cinnamon rolls.

    And sometimes, you really want cinnamon rolls but you do not want to put in the time or the effort to have the ooey gooey goodness all to yourself.

    Look no further--this Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast IS the answer when you really want a cinnamon roll but may be feeling a bit on the lazy side. And trust, me that is ok.

    Why we love this cinnamon baked French Toast casserole so much:

    1. 15 minutes of prep. Seriously. No kneading, no rolling, no waiting for anything to rise--none of that. Simple, no nonsense prep.
    2. 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.
    3. Cream cheese icing. Everything is better with cream cheese. Everything. So easy to whip up while the French Toast is baking.
    4. 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!

    What you will need:

    • 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.
    • eggs: large eggs for this recipe
    • 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
    • vanilla: vanilla extract is ideal over imitation. You can use a bourbon vanilla extract for a different level of flavor.
    • cinnamon: the star ingredient of course--use the kind you love best!
    • brown sugar: I opt for light brown sugar but you can use dark if preferred

    To make the frosting, you will need: cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and on optional pinch of salt.

    Brioche bread, eggs, milk, cream and other ingredients on counter.

    How to make the best cinnamon roll french toast bake:

    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. Pour it over the bread and gently toss to coat and allow the bread to absorb it as much as possible.

    Cubed brioche bread with egg mixture tossed with it.

    Transfer the egg soaked bread to well greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Arrange it into an even layer and pour over any excess egg from the bottom of the bowl.

    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!

    • Baking pan with egg covered bread cubes.
      Spread mixture in baking pan.
    • Baking pan with cinnamon and brown sugar mixture over top.
      Drizzle with butter and top with brown sugar cinnamon mixture.

    From there, 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.

    Baked cinnamon roll French Toast in glass 9x13 inch pan.

    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. After removing the baked French Toast from the oven and allowing it to cool for about 5 minutes or, spread the icing over top.

    Cream cheese frosting in glass mixing bowl.

    Recipe Notes and 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.
    • To store this baked French Toast casserole: Refrigerate leftovers for up to about 3-4 days. 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!
    Pan with cinnamon roll baked french toast casserole with cream cheese frosting.

    Try these 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 with cream cheese frosting.

    Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast

    Get the delicious flavor of cinnamon rolls in a whole new, simple way! This simple Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast Casserole recipe is ready in well under an hour and with less effort than homemade cinnamon rolls. Topped with cream cheese icing and perfect for a holiday breakfast or a quiet weekend in!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 390kcal
    Author: Lorie Yarro

    Ingredients 

    For the French Toast

    • 12 slices Brioche bread, day old 16 oz. loaf
    • 6 Eggs large
    • ⅔ cup Whole milk
    • ⅓ cup Heavy cream
    • ½ teaspoon Vanilla
    • 4 T butter,melted
    • ½ cup Brown sugar
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Cinnamon

    For the Icing

    • 4 T butter, softened
    • 4 oz Cream cheese, softened
    • ¾ - 1 cup Powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon 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 9x13 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

    • 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.
    • To store this baked French Toast casserole: Refrigerate leftovers for up to about 3-4 days. 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!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 844IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!

    Recipe Variation:

    You can also make this without cutting the bread if preferred and make it using whole slices of bread by doing the following as shown in photos below:

    Eggs and cream mixed together in mixing bowl.
    French toast in pan with cinnamon and brown sugar sprinkled over top.
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