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Cozy Overnight Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast

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This overnight cinnamon roll baked French toast combines the gooey, cream-cheese-swirled flavor of a cinnamon roll with the ease of a French toast casserole. Perfect for lazy mornings or holiday brunches, it requires just 15 minutes of prep the night before and delivers a golden, custardy, caramelized breakfast that tastes like a bakery exploded in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large loaf brioche or challah (12–14 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8–9 cups)
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Night before: Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and let dry on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours (or toast at 300°F for 10 minutes).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs until frothy. Add milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla; whisk until sugar dissolves.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to form a thick paste.
  4. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half the bread cubes, drizzle half the cinnamon swirl, and toss gently. Repeat with remaining bread and swirl.
  5. Pour custard evenly over bread, pressing down gently. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight (8-12 hours).
  6. Morning of: Remove dish from fridge 20-30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  7. Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes until golden brown and center is just set (jiggles slightly like cheesecake).
  8. While baking, make glaze: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; mix. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until drizzle-able.
  9. Let casserole rest 10-15 minutes. Drizzle with cream cheese glaze, cut into squares, and serve warm.

Notes

Don’t skip the overnight rest—it’s crucial for the custard to absorb. Use stale bread for best texture. Let the casserole rest before serving to allow the custard to set. For a dairy-free version, use full-fat oat milk, coconut cream, plant-based butter, and dairy-free cream cheese. For a gluten-free version, use sturdy gluten-free brioche or challah.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight french toast, cinnamon roll french toast, baked french toast, breakfast casserole, holiday breakfast, easy brunch recipe

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/cozy-overnight-cinnamon-roll-baked-french-toast-easy-morning-treat/