During holiday gatherings at my mountain cabin, I started experimenting with overnight breakfasts to feed my hungry family without missing out on morning conversation. This Overnight Cinnamon Roll French Toast became our tradition – the perfect blend of convenience and indulgence that fills the house with an irresistible aroma that gently wakes everyone up.
Overnight Cinnamon Roll French Toast
Transform ordinary bread into a custardy cinnamon dream with this simple make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe.
Prepare the Baking Dish
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your french toast won't stick during baking.
Create Cinnamon Swirl Mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon until well combined. Pour this mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Arrange Bread
Arrange the bread cubes in an even layer over the cinnamon swirl mixture in the baking dish, pressing down slightly to compact.
Prepare Custard Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until completely combined and smooth.
Soak the Bread
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all pieces are saturated. Press bread down gently to help absorption.
Refrigerate Overnight
Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture.
Prepare for Baking
When ready to bake, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake to Perfection
Uncover the baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Rest Before Serving
Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the french toast to finish setting and makes it easier to portion.
How to Make Overnight Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
Learn how to make this easy, delicious Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole that tastes just like a cinnamon roll. Perfect for holiday brunch!
This make-ahead miracle solves the breakfast dilemma for busy hosts. Simply prepare it the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning for a stress-free, restaurant-quality breakfast. The overnight soak transforms ordinary bread into a custardy delight while the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture caramelizes during baking, creating a self-saucing bottom layer that eliminates the need for syrup.
Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of textures – a crisp, caramelized top giving way to tender, custard-soaked bread infused with warm cinnamon and vanilla. The aroma that fills your kitchen rivals the best bakery, with notes of caramelized sugar and fragrant spice that linger pleasantly throughout the morning.
Whether you’re hosting holiday guests or just treating your family to a special weekend breakfast, this French toast casserole delivers bakery-worthy flavor with minimal morning effort. Try serving it with fresh berries and a dollop of yogurt for balance, or go decadent with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Your breakfast game will never be the same!
Comments are closed.