Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (2024)

This cinnamon French toast style breakfast casserole is easy to make using cinnamon roll dough coated in creamy eggs and topping with pecan and icing. It's perfect for holidays and weekend mornings. Everyone always loves this gooey, moist, baked cinnamon roll casserole.

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This cinnamon roll casserole made with Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, is essentially super easy, baked cinnamon French toast.

It's easy to prep, can be made ahead, and tastes absolutely delicious!

★ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ★

Family-friendly

This cinnamon roll breakfast casserole is family-friendly so it's great for weekend breakfast, holiday mornings, a bridal or baby shower, or Mother's Day brunch.

This recipe makes a 9x12 pan so will feed a large family or a small crowd.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (1)

Can be made ahead.

This dish is also great for serving overnight guests without a lot of fuss. It can be made the night before then just popped in the oven to bake in the morning. This is also what makes it a great choice if you're wondering what to make for holidays. We like to make it for Easter and Christmas morning breakfast.

Super easy.

This French toast style casserole is made with ready-made cinnamon roll dough instead of bread. Bread tends to get soggy when you add eggs and a creamy-cinnamon topping. The cinnamon roll dough however, holds up like a champ! In fact, think about what happens when you bake cinnamon rolls straight-up, they get dry.

This is basically like the best of both worlds—a cross between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon french toast which results in a perfectly a moist, sticky and deliciously perfect breakfast treat. Nom!

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

The shortcut to make this French-toast-like casserole is no time flat is starting with Pillsbury cinnamon roll dough. I like using the flaky Pillsbury Grand rolls but any kind works. Just keep in mind, cook time will vary so best to keep an eye on these while they bake.

Here's everything you'll need:

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (2)
  • Pillsbury cinnamon roll dough. Or use your favorite brand of cinnamon roll dough. You can use homemade dough if you're feeling ambitious!
  • Eggs. I prefer organic, corn-fed, hen-laid eggs. The corn feed produces a much more flavorful egg with a brighter yellow yolk.
  • Flour. All purpose flour.
  • Milk. You can use any percentage fat milk, half and half or even heavy cream. Your choice. The fattier, the creamier these will be. To reduce fat, go with skim milk.
  • Butter. Real butter or you can substitute with margarine if that's what you prefer.
  • Vanilla extract. Go with the real extract, not the imitation for the best flavor.
  • Cinnamon. Ground cinnamon if what you want. The more fresh, the more flavor you'll get.
  • Nutmeg (optional). This adds a nutty flavor. Feel free to leave it out if it's not your thing.
  • Pecans (optional). Pecans add a nice earth flavor and some crunch. Feel free to leave these out though or do them on just half the casserole if you have picky eaters.

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

You can get the full recipe and also watch how to make this cinnamon roll casserole, start to finish, by viewing the video and the recipe below.

But here is a look at the basic steps. It's quick and easy!

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (3)
  • Mix together eggs, cream, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.
  • Cut cinnamon roll dough into pieces.
  • Coat cinnamon roll pieces in egg mixture.
  • Pour pieces into greased casserole dish and bake.
  • Let cool then top with icing.
  • Add nuts! (optional)

★ Why Others Love this Recipe ★

Recipe inspired by Pillsbury’s Cinnamon French Toast Bake

This recipe is a variation of Pillsbury's Cinnamon French Toast Bake recipe using canned Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls. I've made my own little tweaks over the years to make it non-soggy yet moist and extra cinnamony!

People always say that they love how easy it is and that their whole family enjoyed it.

Perfecting a Favorite Recipe

I started with the original recipe by Pillsbury at first then experimented from there. The final version I landed on differs in that I added extra cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour; and reduced the eggs and cream so it didn't get too soggy or overly eggy. The flour helps the egg stick to the cinnamon rolls, in case you get to that and you're thinking about leaving it out. Just keep this in mind.

Per a friend's recommendation, I also left off the maple syrup because it's plenty sweet enough without it. In my opinion. If you want to go all out and add it back, by all means, do it. If you just want a little hint of maple flavor, you could add a splash into the egg batter.

Rave Reviews on Pinterest!

This is one of the most popular recipes I've ever made and shared. I've been working on this recipe for a long time to make sure it's absolutely perfectly delicious!

This cinnamon french toast recipe has actually been pinned hundreds of thousands of times and has been "tried" on Pinterest with rave reviews so I'm pretty confident you'll love it, too!

Of course, I'm always open to improving so please let me know what you like best about it and if you changed anything to make it even better. All feedback welcome! You can review the recipe below and/or leave a comment.

Perfect for Christmas morning breakfast!

I get comments from lots of people who make this baked french toast every year for Christmas. I think it's such a big hit because it's quick and easy to prep and is popular with both the kids as well as the grown ups. 🙂

★ Variations ★

I've seen variations of cinnamon roll casserole and other french toast bakes like this one that also include pumpkin (perfect for fall!), cream cheese and apples. So, have fun with this. Add sprinkles and make it into a birthday breakfast if you want. It's really a very versatile and well-loved breakfast casserole.

The recipe below includes my tweaks after making and adjusting the ingredients many times over to get everything just right. It doesn't have any of the extras nor does it need anything extra but once you master this base recipe, you can get as creative as you want.

Choose regular icing or cream cheese icing.

Both options are delicious! Just choose cinnamon roll dough with the kind of icing you prefer — classic icing or cream cheese icing.

★ Tips & FAQs ★

Frequently asked questions and concerns addressed here! Read to be sure you have success on the first try. Skip if you're a pretty confident cook.

Use a pizza cutter. Quickly and evenly cut the cinnamon rolls into eight pieces. You can also cut each roll into six pieces but keep in mind, this may require a longer cook time.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (4)

Oven temperatures can vary greatly. For best results make sure your oven is calibrated to the correct temperature. Do this by using an oven thermometer and follow the directions for adjusting your oven temperature in your oven manufacture's user manual.

The size of your baking dish matters. This recipe calls for a 9x12 baking dish. This is important because it allows enough space for the pieces of dough to be spread out and cook evenly. If you are using a very different shape or size baking pan, that will change the amount of time needed to cook and may not cook evenly.

The size of your cinnamon rolls matters. Cinnamon rolls come in varying size packages. If you choose cans larger or smaller than the 12.4oz standard size, then be sure to keep an eye on the dough as it cooks to prevent under or overcooking.

The brand of your cinnamon rolls matters. You can opt for store brand or even choose a frozen cinnamon roll brand like Rhodes, just thaw them first. Pillsbury rolls are not mandatory. Just keep in mind the cook time may vary so check on the pieces of cinnamon roll dough often as they are baking and adjust your cook time as needed.

The material of your baking dish matters. For best results, use a glass baking dish. Ceramic baking dishes can be very thick or thin so the cook time can very greatly. If you don't have a glass baking dish, just check on the cinnamon roll dough piece and if it looks like they are not yet done, give them some additional bake time.

Keep an eye on things. The dough can go from raw to cooked in just minutes and from perfectly golden brown to burned very quickly. If this is your first time making this recipe, it's best to keep an eye on things especially towards the end of the cook time. If the dough starts to brown early, cover with foil to prevent overcooking.

Changing the ingredients may affect cook time and the taste. Using milk instead of half and half for example, may lengthen the cook time and sadly won't taste as good but it's a good way to cut fat if that's what you want to do. If you make adjustments to the recipe, just keep an eye on things when cooking and allow yourself some extra time in case it needs longer to bake.

★ More Recipes You’ll Love ★

Try my cinnamon pull apart bread!

If you love this cinnamon roll casserole, try it as a pull-apart loaf. Try my Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread.

Want more breakfast ideas?

Browse all my breakfast recipes

This easy cinnamon roll casserole recipe using Pillsbury cinnamon rolls has been featured on TikTok and on a number of websites! It's a viral fan-favorite.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (5)

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Author: Angela G.

This cinnamon French toast style breakfast casserole is easy to make using cinnamon roll dough coated in creamy eggs and topping with pecan and icing. It's perfect for holidays and weekend mornings. Everyone always loves this gooey, moist, baked cinnamon roll casserole.

4.1 from 198 reviews

Read Comments

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Skill Level: Easy

Recipe Type: Breakfast Casseroles, Camping, Casseroles, Christmas, Easter, Kid-Friendly, Memorial Day, Summer, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 Servings

Yield: 9x12 pan

Ingredients

  • 2 17.5 oz tubes Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls (regular 12.4oz cinnamon rolls are ok too)
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoon flour
  • 3 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans
  • Icing from cinnamon rolls
  • Powdered sugar or maple syrup if desired

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Instructions

  • Prepare baking dish and oven. Melt butter and coat a 9x12 baking dish with the melted butter. Note: there will be a generous amount of butter!

    Preheat oven to 350ºF.

  • Make egg coating. In a bowl, beat together eggs, cream, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

  • Slice dough. Open canned cinnamon rolls, slice each cinnamon roll like a pizza, into eighths.

  • Coat dough. Place cinnamon roll pieces into the bowl of egg mixture and toss to thoroughly coat.

  • Add dough to pan. Pour dough pieces, coated in egg mixture, into the greased baking dish and spread out evenly. Any remaining egg mixture. Pour or brush egg mxture on top of areas that look like they might get dry.

  • Add pecans. (optional) Sprinkle dough with chopped pecans.

  • Bake. Place casserole dish on the center rack of the oven and bake for 18-25 minutes or until pieces of dough are light golden brown. (See notes)

  • Add icing. When all dough is set, remove casserole from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes to prevent icing from absorbing into the dough.

    Warm icing from cinnamon rolls in microwave for 15 seconds; pour evenly over cinnamon roll pieces.

  • Add extras. (optional) Sprinkle with powdered sugar or top with maple syrup if desired. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Bake time can vary greatly based on the size of your pan as well as the material (metal, glass, ceramic, etc.) Check for doneness by carefully examining a middle piece. If it's doughy, it still needs more time.

Smaller, deeper pans may require additional bake time. Type of cinnamon rolls used can also vary cook time. Best to keep an eye on things and check one of the middle pieces to be sure dough is set before removing from oven.

Cover with foil and bake for a more moist casserole.

Recommended equipment listed may contain affiliate links.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 637mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 308IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg

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Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to make premade cinnamon rolls better? ›

13 Ways To Upgrade Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls
  1. Don't forget the maple bacon. JRJfin/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Make monkey bread instead. ...
  3. Brûlée the top with extra sugar. ...
  4. Add coffee to the frosting. ...
  5. Customize the shape with aluminum foil. ...
  6. Pour in heavy whipping cream. ...
  7. Give cinnamon roll bread pudding a shot. ...
  8. Top with candied nuts.
Oct 4, 2023

How long to cook Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in oven? ›

Simply heat the oven to 400° F (or 375° F for a nonstick pan), place the rolls in a greased round pan with the cinnamon top up, bake for 13–17 minutes or until golden brown, and spread the delicious icing on top. Nothing wakes up a day like an oven-fresh cinnamon roll.

Can you use a baking sheet to make cinnamon rolls? ›

Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon roll dough makes it easy. Just place the dough on a baking sheet, bake until golden brown and then finish with our original cinnamon roll icing.

Is heavy cream same as heavy whipping cream? ›

Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names. According to the US Food and Drug Administration's labelling standards, heavy cream must contain at least 36 percent milk fat.

Is half and half the same as heavy cream? ›

According to the FDA, half-and-half contains between 10.5 percent to 18 percent milk fat, while heavy cream contains between 36 percent and 40 percent milk fat. Because heavy cream contains more fat, it is thicker and has a richer taste and a creamier mouthfeel than half-and-half.

Why did my homemade cinnamon rolls come out hard? ›

Don't Overbake Cinnamon Rolls

Overbaked cinnamon rolls are tough and chewy instead of light and pillowy. Since it can be a bit tricky to know when rolls are fully baked, use a digital thermometer. Bake cinnamon rolls until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches between 190°and 200°F.

Can you substitute heavy cream for milk in cinnamon rolls? ›

Heavy cream can be substituted for milk when baking cakes and cookies, but it will affect the texture and flavor of the final product. Heavy cream is thicker and has a higher fat content than milk, which can make the baked goods more rich, moist, and tender but also heavier.

What happens if you let cinnamon rolls rise too long? ›

The rolls are still prone to over-proofing if left in the fridge too long; and the cinnamon-sugar filling can melt and make the bottoms of the rolls syrupy and damp if left unbaked for too long.

What kind of pan is best for baking cinnamon rolls? ›

A sharp knife will work for this, or even dental floss/string. I cut mine into 14 slices as I cut them slightly smaller. You can either put into a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan or I used 2- 9" round cake pans. Bake these at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

What pan is best for Pillsbury cinnamon rolls? ›

You add the unbaked cinnamon rolls to a baking pan (I like to use a 9” round cake pan so I can squish 'em together nice and tight!), then pour over 1/2 cup heavy cream — allowing any excess cream to pool in the pan.

Can you use parchment paper to make Pillsbury cinnamon rolls? ›

PLACE cinnamon rolls, with cinnamon topping side down, on parchment paper in air fryer basket. AIR FRY at 320°F. * COOK 6 minutes. Remove basket; Use tongs to turn over rolls.

Is it better to bake cinnamon rolls in a glass or metal pan? ›

Either pan will work great, it just depends on what end result you want. Adjust the temperature if you're using a glass vs metal baking dish. Reduce baking temperature by 25 degrees and check the cinnamon rolls up to ten minutes earlier if you are substituting a glass dish for a metal cake pan.

Can I use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper for cinnamon rolls? ›

Can I use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper when baking cinnamon rolls made out of puff pastry? You can line a pan with foil to make cleanup easier, but you still need to butter it or use a non-stick spray. The advantage of parchment paper is that it is coated with silicone to make it non-stick.

Should cinnamon rolls be touching when you bake them? ›

Place the cinnamon rolls into your prepared pan, with little room between each roll and ½ inch from the edge of the pan. Lightly press down on each roll so that the edges of each roll barely touch each other, and improve their round form if needed.

Why pour cream on cinnamon buns before baking? ›

Julie Clark, the blogger behind the website, notes that after years of research, she discovered that the key to getting perfectly gooey rolls is to “pour heavy cream over the cinnamon buns before baking. THIS is the secret ingredient and what makes the rolls rich and gooey.”

What does adding heavy cream do? ›

It's an excellent thickener/enricher for soups and sauces, especially since cream (as opposed to half and half) will not curdle when boiled. Heavy cream is also used for ice cream, frostings and as a topper for desserts because when whipped, it can be piped and hold its shape.

What does heavy cream do in baking? ›

Heavy cream is a good choice when decorating pies or cakes, or for thickening sauces and ganache. Heavy cream is also great for making ice cream and soup. Whipping cream is a bit lighter since it contains less fat than heavy cream, and has about 30 to 36 percent milk fat.

Why do you use heavy cream in baking? ›

It whips better and holds its shape longer than its whipping cream counterpart, which is why it's used for everything from pastry fillings to pipings. It has a long shelf life in the fridge and can even be frozen and used in a heavy cream recipe later on.

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