This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake with Streusel Topping is a delicious make-ahead meal that combines two breakfast favorites; cinnamon rolls and French toast. It’s super easy, and has great texture and flavor.
If you love fabulous breakfast casseroles to feed your family try my Breakfast Pizza with Sausage Gravy and my Croissant Breakfast Recipe. They are easy to prep ahead and bake when you are ready.
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Why this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake Recipe is a Keeper
I love this cinnamon French toast recipe because it’s a quick and easy breakfast that’s absolutely scrumptious. Try it for special birthday breakfasts, brunch, or as breakfast for dinner.
- Perfect for Brunch: Ideal for holidays, family gatherings, or weekend breakfast.
- Streusel Topping: A sweet crumb topping adds texture and flavor But you can add an icing.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the casserole the night before and bake in the morning.
- Crowd-Pleasing Breakfast: One dish easily serves a group, unlike the Pillsbury cinnamon roll dough.
Can French Toast Casserole be Made the Night Before?
Yes. You can either prepare the whole thing ahead of time, cover and keep in the fridge, or you can store the streusel separately and add it to the top of the casserole just before baking.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“I made the Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Casserole for the second time and it is AMAZING! Thanks for the great recipe Christina!”
~ Elaine
Ingredient Notes for this Brunch Bake
This original recipe only need a few simple ingredients to make this homemade cinnamon roll French toast bake. The ingredients for this recipe are ones you can have on hand to make anytime.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Bread: for the recipe for cinnamon french toast use a thick-cut bread like Texas toast when making French toast recipes.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice to have on hand for whenever you need it. Plus, you can completely customize it to have more or less of a certain flavor.
- Milk: I prefer to use whole milk, but you can also try it with your favorite non-dairy milk. You could even do half heavy cream if you like.
Variations to Make Cinnamon Roll Bake with Icing
This French toast casserole recipe is super easy to customize it is a great recipe for breakfast or brunch. I like to take it to the next level by using different ingredients or trying different flavors.
- Cream Cheese: Mix small cubes into the casserole for a richer flavor for this great breakfast..
- Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch to the streusel topping.
- Fruit: Blueberries or sliced apples pair nicely with cinnamon flavors or make a cinnamon raisin bake.
- Use Different Bread: Try challah or brioche for a richer texture. Ot try using a packaged cinnamon dough. Try using a refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, try using pillsbury cinnamon rolls. Cut the cinnamon rolls and use the reserved cinnamon roll icing to top the french toast. You can also make a homemade cream cheese frosting.
Special Equipment Needed for Cinnamon French Toast
Sometimes a specific piece of equipment is needed to make this cinnamon roll French toast recipe just right. In this case, all that’s needed is a large dish and food processor.
- 9×13 Baking Dish: The ideal size for evenly baking the casserole.
- Pastry Blender: A pastry blender or a food processor helps mix the streusel topping so it forms the perfect crumb texture.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
This easy cinnamon roll French toast casserole recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. It’s so good you could make it as a special Christmas morning treat.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Soak Bread: Spread the bread cubes in a greased baking dish. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice and salt. Pour egg mixture over the bread cubes, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Make the Streusel Topping: Preheat the oven. In a food processor, pulse together the brown sugar, butter, flour, ground cinnamon and Pumpkin Spice. Then, mix in the chopped pecans.
- Top and Bake: Spread the topping evenly over the soaked bread. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Brunch Menu Bake
Preparing ingredients ahead of time can help save time and kitchen space when making an easy recipe.
- Assemble the Casserole the Night Before: Prepare the casserole and refrigerate overnight. Bake it in the morning.
- Prepare the Streusel Early: Mix the streusel topping ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Alternate Cooking Methods to Make the Cinnamon Roll Casserole
If you don’t happen to have a big enough pan, there are a couple other ways to make this recipe.
- Slow Cooker Method: Cook on low for several hours for a soft casserole texture.
- Individual Portions: Bake in muffin tins until golden brown for single-serving French toast cups. It truly tastes just like refrigerated cinnamon roll pieces.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Keep leftover cinnamon roll casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm individual portions of perfect breakfast casserole in the microwave or oven.
- Using Leftovers: Serve reheated slices with maple syrup or fresh fruit for an easy breakfast.
Common Questions About This Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Slightly stale, thick-cut bread works best for decadent breakfast French toast recipes.
If you find that your casserole is too soggy, it’s probably due to the bread soaking up too much of the custard. To prevent this, don’t let it soak for as long and use day-old bread.
Yep! Store this breakfast treat in freezer-safe airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Tips for Making Baked Cinnamon Roll French Toast
- Cut Bread Evenly: Similar-sized bread cubes bake more evenly in this delicious cinnamon roll ultimate breakfast.
- Use Stale Bread: Your new favorite breakfast should use slightly dry bread so it can absorb the custard mixture better.
- Don’t Skip the Streusel: The crumb topping adds a delicious contrast to the gooey cinnamon roll french toast.
- Add Fruit: Raisins or dried cranberries to add more flavor to the classic cinnamon Christmas morning breakfast.
- Frosting: Drizzle frosting, melted butter or glaze on top of the cinnamon roll French toast casserole. A cream cheese icing is wonderful too.
- Syrup: Serve overnight French toast baked casserole with maple syrup or sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Serve With an Egg Bake: Serve with savory breakfast foods like Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole, Steak and Egg Breakfast Skillet or Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes.
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Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake with Streusel Topping
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Ingredients
French Toast
- 1 loaf Texas toast bread, cubed
- 4 Eggs
- 1 ½ cups Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
- 4 Tablespoons Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- ½ cup Butter
- ¼ cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup Pecans, chopped
Instructions
French Toast Casserole
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place bread cubes in baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt.
- Pour mixture over top of the bread cubes.
- Cover and refrigerate over night.
Streusel Topping
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In a food processor, add the brown sugar, butter, flour, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
- Pulse until mixture becomes pea sized.
- Stir in chopped pecans.
- Cover and store in refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Pour topping over casserole.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until casserole reaches desired doneness.
- Serve warm.
Christina’s Notes
- Alternate ingredient: Top with festive sprinkles for Christmas morning.
- Prep Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before for an easy morning bake.
- Add the Streusel Last: Sprinkle the topping right before baking for the best crumb texture.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
This to me, excluding the Texas toast, is a simple bread pudding with a fancy topping..I do this all the time. easy peasy
Hi! Im wondering about how many cups of cubed bread to use. I dont think we have “Texas toast” bread around here. Thanks! Looking forward to trying this recipe and not failing!
I would use double the amount of regular sliced bread.
hi Christina, I’m a huge fan of your recipes. I have a few questions about your Cinnamon Streusel French Toast. Do I need to refrigerate overnight or can I make it without waiting? I have an impatient teenage boy that wants to try it now. Also, is there something I can use to substitute the pumpkin pie spice? Thank you and my family cannot wait to try this
You can make it the same day but for best results, you should let the custard soak up overnight. The texture may be off if you make it right away. You can easily substitute a pinch of nutmeg and ginger in place of the Pumpkin Spice. You can also use this recipe to make your own: https://www.itisakeeper.com/21548/make-your-own-pumpkin-pie-spice-mix/
This looks yummy! What is Texas toast bread
It’s a thicker type of bread. Here’s a link so you can see what I’m talking about: http://amzn.to/2mxczWL
I made the Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Casserole for the second time and it is AMAZING! Thanks for the great recipe Christina!
So glad you liked it 🙂
This looks delicious!! Now I can’t decide between cinnamon rolls and this on Christmas morning!