Hawaiian Roll French Toast – Fluffy Pull-Apart Breakfast Bake with Sweet Rolls & Cinnamon Custard
Samantha
This Hawaiian Roll French Toast is soft, fluffy, and baked to golden perfection with a cinnamon-vanilla custard. Made with buttery sweet rolls, it’s the ultimate pull-apart breakfast casserole that’s easy enough for a weekend brunch but special enough for holiday mornings. Serve it with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit for a cozy, family-friendly meal that everyone will love.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American Comfort Food
Servings 8 servings
Calories 290 kcal
- 1 pack Hawaiian rolls 12 count
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk whole or 2%
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar maple syrup, fresh berries
Prep the Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally (keep them connected).
Make the Custard: Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl.
Soak the Rolls: Pour custard over rolls, pressing gently to absorb.
Add Butter: Drizzle melted butter over the top.
Bake: Place in oven for 25 minutes until golden and set.
Serve: Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup.
Secret Tips for the Perfect Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake
1. Use stale or day-old rolls: Slightly dried-out Hawaiian rolls soak up the cinnamon custard mixture better without turning soggy. If your rolls are fresh, lightly toast them in the oven for a few minutes before soaking to help them absorb the custard evenly.
2. Whisk your custard thoroughly: Make sure the milk, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon are fully combined before pouring over the rolls. This ensures every bite of your pull-apart French toast is rich, fluffy, and full of flavor.
3. Don’t skip the overnight soak: Letting your sweet rolls sit in the custard overnight (or at least 2–3 hours) makes the center soft and custardy while keeping the edges golden and slightly crisp.
4. Bake low and slow: For that signature fluffy French toast bake texture, bake at a moderate temperature until the custard is set and the tops are lightly caramelized. Avoid high heat, which can cause uneven cooking.
5. Finish with toppings for brunch appeal: Just before serving, dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, and add fresh berries or butter for a restaurant-style presentation that’s perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunches.
6. Customize the flavor: For a twist, add a hint of nutmeg, a spoon of brown sugar, or even a layer of cream cheese filling for a more indulgent Hawaiian roll breakfast bake.
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