Imagine waking up to the scent of warm cinnamon, gooey icing, and sweet vanilla baked into soft, golden layers. This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is the kind of breakfast that feels like a cozy hug on a weekend morning. It takes the classic comfort of cinnamon rolls and transforms them into a decadent, custard-soaked bake that comes together with very little effort.
Whether you’re prepping for a holiday brunch or just want to treat your family to something special, this casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The best part? You can make it the night before and pop it in the oven the next day for a stress-free start. It’s rich, indulgent, and oh-so-satisfying.
What Kind of Cinnamon Rolls Should I Use?
You can use store-bought canned cinnamon rolls for a quick shortcut or go the extra mile with homemade rolls if you have them on hand. Refrigerated cinnamon rolls offer convenience and consistency, while homemade ones bring a personal touch and more flavor depth. Either way, the magic comes from soaking them in a rich, eggy custard and baking them to perfection.

Ingredients for the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
- Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls: These are the base of your casserole, providing that signature swirl of cinnamon sugar and soft dough texture.
- Eggs: Essential for the custard mixture that binds everything together.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a rich, creamy texture to the casserole.
- Milk: Helps balance the richness of the cream and creates a smoother custard.
- Maple Syrup: Infuses the casserole with natural sweetness and warm flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: A must for rounding out the flavor profile.
- Ground Cinnamon: Enhances the cinnamon flavor already in the rolls.
- Powdered Sugar (for glaze): Whisked with milk for a drizzle on top.
- Whipped Cream or Cream Cheese Frosting (optional): For serving, if you want to take things over the top.
How To Make the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 325°F if baking the next day).
Step 2: Cut and Layer the Cinnamon Rolls
Open the cinnamon roll tubes and set the icing aside. Cut each roll into quarters and scatter them evenly in the baking dish.
Step 3: Make the Custard
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a dash of ground cinnamon.
Step 4: Pour and Soak
Pour the custard evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces. Press down lightly with a spatula to help them absorb the mixture. Let sit for 20 minutes (or overnight covered in the fridge).
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 35–40 minutes or until the top is golden and the center is set. If it browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through.
Step 6: Add the Sweet Finish
Warm the reserved icing in the microwave for a few seconds, then drizzle over the casserole. Add whipped cream or cream cheese frosting if desired.
How to Serve and Store Your Casserole
Serve this casserole warm, straight from the oven, with a generous drizzle of glaze or an extra dollop of whipped cream. Pair it with coffee, fresh fruit, or crispy bacon for a full brunch experience. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I make this?
You can prep the casserole the night before and refrigerate it. Just bake it fresh in the morning.
Can I freeze it?
Yes! Freeze after baking and cooling. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
What toppings work best?
Glaze, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or even fresh berries are all great options.
Can I use almond milk instead of regular?
Absolutely. Just be aware it might slightly change the texture and flavor.
What if I want to make it less sweet?
Reduce the maple syrup or use unsweetened cream instead of whipped topping.
Can I add nuts or fruit?
Yes! Chopped pecans or sliced apples make excellent mix-ins.
Want More Breakfast Casserole Ideas?
If you’re into breakfast casseroles that double as dessert, you’ll love these favorites from the blog:
- Gooey Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
- Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding
- Oreo Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls
- Heart-Shaped Sugar Donuts
- Blueberry Swirl Yogurt Bites
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest breakfast or brunch board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go all in with extra icing? Add any fruit or spice twists?
I love seeing your creations and hearing your tweaks. Questions are always welcome too—let’s make breakfast better together.
For more daily treats and meal inspo, follow me on Pinterest @lifewithninarecipes.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is a warm, gooey, cinnamon-swirled bake perfect for cozy mornings or holiday brunch. It’s a quick-prep dish made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls, soaked in a creamy vanilla custard, and finished with a sweet glaze. Make-ahead friendly and family-approved!
Ingredients
2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing)
4 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Optional: whipped cream or cream cheese frosting
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters. Place all the pieces evenly into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
4. Pour the custard over the cinnamon roll pieces. Press down gently to ensure they soak it in. Let it sit for 20 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight.
5. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and the center is set. Tent with foil halfway if needed.
6. Warm the reserved icing from the cinnamon roll package in the microwave for 10–15 seconds and drizzle over the casserole. Optionally top with whipped cream or frosting.
7. For glaze, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth, and drizzle over before serving.
Notes
Let the cinnamon rolls soak in custard for at least 20 minutes for best texture.
If baking after refrigerating overnight, let the dish sit at room temp for 15 minutes before placing in the oven.
Tent with foil halfway through baking if the top browns too quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: cinnamon roll casserole, make-ahead breakfast, brunch bake



