This indulgent Cinnamon Roll French Toast is the best of both worlds, giving you a warm, gooey cinnamon roll and classic French toast in one easy recipe.
This recipe for Cinnamon Roll French Toast was born on a lazy Sunday morning, one of those early September days where the air here in France has just a hint of autumn crispness. My family was completely divided: half wanted the gooey, sweet comfort of cinnamon rolls, and the other half craved the custardy, buttery goodness of French toast. Instead of making two separate breakfasts, a little lightbulb went off. Why not combine them? Using cinnamon swirl bread as a base, I created this hybrid, and it was an immediate sensation. It captured that perfect weekend feeling, borrowing from the classic techniques I’ve always admired from experts like Sally’s Baking Addiction.
🟧 Why This Is So Good
- Two Breakfast Classics in One: It delivers the sweet, spiced flavour of a cinnamon roll with the rich, custardy texture of perfect French toast.
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: This dish feels incredibly special, but it comes together in no time, making it perfect for a weekend treat without the fuss.
- Simple, Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients—eggs, milk, sugar, and spices—in your kitchen right now.
- A Crowd-Pleasing Favourite: From kids to adults, everyone adores this sweet, comforting breakfast. The creamy glaze is simply irresistible.
The first time I served this, my daughter took one bite and her eyes widened. She said, “It’s like a magic trick! It’s a cinnamon roll and French toast!” It instantly became our official “special occasion” breakfast, requested for birthdays, holidays, and any morning that needs a little extra sparkle. This Cinnamon Roll French Toast is more than just a recipe; it’s the creator of core family memories. Learning the science behind the perfect French toast custard from a guide like this one on Serious Eats helped me perfect the texture. For more advanced recipes, visit Vegetarian Cuisine.
🟧 Getting Your Ingredients Right
- Cinnamon Swirl Bread: This is the star of the show. Look for a loaf with thick, sturdy slices and a very generous cinnamon swirl. Brioche or challah are excellent substitutes if you add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
- Use Whole Milk: For the richest, creamiest custard, whole milk is the way to go. You can use 2% or even almond milk, but the texture won’t be quite as decadent.
- Quality Vanilla Extract: A good pure vanilla extract makes a world of difference in both the custard and the glaze. It adds a wonderful depth of flavour that imitation vanilla can’t replicate. You can find excellent options like those from Nielsen-Massey.
- Fresh Spices: Make sure your ground cinnamon and nutmeg are fresh. Older spices lose their potency and won’t give your Cinnamon Roll French Toast that warm, aromatic flavour we’re aiming for.
🟧 Making It Step by Step
This dish comes together in three simple, satisfying stages. The whole process is filled with the most incredible, comforting aromas that will have your family drifting into the kitchen.
Whip Up the Custard
First, create the fragrant custard that will transform your bread. In a shallow dish—a pie plate or a square baking dish works perfectly—whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth, evenly combined, and a beautiful pale golden colour. This simple base is what will give our Cinnamon Roll French Toast its signature tender, custardy interior.
Cook the French Toast
Now, let’s bring the heat. Melt a generous knob of butter in a large non-stick skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Working one slice at a time, briefly dip the cinnamon swirl bread into the custard, letting it soak for about 15-20 seconds on each side. You want it saturated, but not falling-apart soggy. Carefully place the soaked bread onto the hot, sizzling pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until the outside is a deep golden brown, beautifully crisp, and the centre is cooked through. The smell of the cinnamon caramelizing in the butter is pure heaven.
Drizzle the Creamy Glaze
While the French toast is cooking, quickly whisk together the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until it’s completely smooth and reaches a perfect drizzling consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash more milk; if it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. Once your warm Cinnamon Roll French Toast is piled high on a plate, generously drizzle this sweet, creamy glaze all over the top.
🟧 Making Sure It Turns Out
- Use Slightly Stale Bread: If your bread is a day or two old, it will be a bit drier and able to soak up more of the delicious custard without becoming soggy.
- Don’t Over-Soak: A quick dip of 15-20 seconds per side is all you need. If you let the bread sit in the custard for too long, it can become mushy and difficult to handle.
- Medium Heat is Your Friend: Cooking on medium heat allows the custard in the centre of the bread to cook through without burning the outside. Too high, and you’ll have a burnt exterior and raw interior.
- Cook in Batches: Don’t overcrowd your pan. Cooking in batches of two or three slices at a time ensures each piece has enough space to get beautifully golden and crisp.
I learned the bread lesson the hard way. I once tried to make this with a very fresh, soft loaf of brioche. The second it hit the custard, it started to disintegrate! I ended up with a sad, broken mess in the pan. Now, I always use bread that’s at least a day old. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in the final texture of your Cinnamon Roll French Toast.
🟧 Perfect Serving Ideas
This Cinnamon Roll French Toast is a showstopper all on its own, but a few simple additions can make it a truly spectacular brunch. We love to serve it with a side of fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries, whose slight tartness cuts through the sweetness beautifully. A side of crispy bacon or savoury breakfast sausage provides a wonderful salty contrast. And of course, a hot café au lait or a steaming mug of tea is the perfect companion.
🟧 Making It Different
This recipe is a wonderful base for creativity. For an even more decadent treat, whip up a cream cheese glaze by blending 2 ounces of softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Around the holidays, try using eggnog in place of milk in the custard for a festive twist. You can also add a handful of toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts to the top for a lovely crunch, or even a dollop of sautéed cinnamon apples.
🟧 Storage and Leftovers
Leftover Cinnamon Roll French Toast is a wonderful treat, but the key is to store it correctly. Let the slices cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s best to store the glaze separately. To reheat, skip the microwave! Place the slices in a toaster, toaster oven, or back in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. This will restore their crispy exterior and warm the custardy centre perfectly.
🟧 Tips That Actually Help
- Use a Shallow Soaking Dish: A pie plate or a shallow baking dish is perfect for dipping the bread. It allows you to lay the slices flat for an even coating of custard.
- Wipe the Pan Between Batches: Butter and sugar can burn in the pan. Use a paper towel to quickly and carefully wipe the skillet clean between batches to ensure every slice is perfectly golden.
- Make the Glaze Last: If you’re not serving all the French toast at once, wait to drizzle the glaze until just before serving to keep the toast from getting soft.
For years, I would just add more butter to the pan between batches, wondering why my later slices were always darker and tasted slightly burnt. The day I started wiping the pan clean was a game-changer. It’s a tiny, 10-second step that guarantees the last piece of French toast is just as perfect as the first.
🟧 Closing Paragraph
This Cinnamon Roll French Toast is more than just a recipe in our home; it’s the official start to a slow, happy weekend. It’s the smell that pulls everyone out of bed and the sweet treat that brings us all together around the table, sharing stories and laughter. It’s proof that sometimes, the best ideas come from not wanting to choose. I hope you’ll make it for your own family and create some sweet, delicious memories of your own.
🟧 Frequently Asked Questions
→ Can I make this with regular bread? Yes, you can use regular bread like brioche, challah, or Texas toast. I recommend sprinkling the slices with a little cinnamon and sugar before dipping them in the custard to mimic the flavour of the swirl bread.
→ How do I prevent my French toast from being soggy? The two most important tips are to use slightly stale, sturdy bread and to avoid over-soaking it in the custard. A quick dip on each side is all you need.
→ Can I make Cinnamon Roll French Toast ahead of time? While it’s best fresh, you can cook the French toast ahead of time and reheat it. Store it in the fridge and reheat in a skillet or toaster to re-crisp the outside.
→ Can this recipe be made dairy-free? Yes, you can substitute the milk with a dairy-free alternative like almond or oat milk and use oil or a dairy-free butter for cooking.
→ Is it possible to bake this as a casserole? Absolutely! This recipe adapts beautifully into a baked casserole. Simply cube the bread, toss it in a buttered baking dish, pour the custard over the top, and bake.
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Cinnamon Roll French Toast
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices (4 servings) 1x
Description
Get the best of both worlds with this easy recipe for Cinnamon Roll French Toast, complete with a sweet, creamy glaze.
Ingredients
→ For the French Toast:
- 8 slices of cinnamon swirl bread
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Butter or oil for cooking
→ For the Creamy Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Custard: In a shallow dish (like a pie plate), whisk together the eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Soak the Bread: Melt a generous tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip each slice of cinnamon swirl bread into the custard mixture for about 15-20 seconds per side.
- Cook: Place the soaked bread in the hot skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining slices, adding more butter as needed.
- Make the Glaze: While the French toast cooks, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, and 1 tsp vanilla in a small bowl until smooth.
- Serve: Transfer the warm French toast to plates and drizzle generously with the creamy glaze before serving.
Notes
- For the best texture, use bread that is a day or two old.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the French toast in batches to ensure it gets nice and crispy.
- Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel between batches to prevent the butter and sugar from burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: < 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 67g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Cinnamon Roll French Toast
