These sweet, golden Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups with their warm cinnamon sugar filling and creamy dip are like breakfast and dessert had a delicious baby. I started making these on lazy Sunday mornings when I wanted something special but didn't have time for actual Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups, and they've become a family favorite that disappears in minutes. The way the buttery cinnamon filling melts into the soft bread while the outside gets crispy and golden is absolutely heavenly, and the whole thing takes just 30 minutes from start to finish.
Serve them breakfast alongside our Fluffy Homemade Pancakes for an over-the-top brunch spread, or pair them with Korean Rolled Omelette when you want a mix of sweet and savory that'll make everyone at the table happy.
Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups
These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups breakfast rolls deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. They take just 30 minutes total, use basic pantry ingredients, and come out looking and tasting like you spent hours in the kitchen. Each roll up is crispy on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside, with that perfect cinnamon-sugar sweetness in every bite.
They're incredibly kid-friendly too. Children love the fun shape and the fact that they can dip them, and the sweet Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups flavor is mild enough that even picky eaters usually gobble them up. Adults appreciate how satisfying they are without being too heavy, and the cream cheese dip adds just the right touch of sophistication. Plus, they're easy to customize with different fillings or toppings depending on what you're craving.
Jump to:
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make these sweet, crispy treats at home.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
For the Roll Ups:
- White sandwich bread: Forms the base of the roll ups, becoming soft and custardy when soaked in egg mixture and cooked.
- Milk: Creates the rich custard coating that makes these taste like French toast.
- Eggs: Bind the custard and add richness and protein.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the French toast coating.
For the Filling:
- Light brown sugar: Provides sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups.
- Butter : Creates a spreadable, rich filling that melts into the bread.
- Cinnamon: Brings that classic Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups flavor and aroma.
For the Cream Cheese Dip:
- Cream cheese: Forms the tangy, creamy base of the dip that's like cinnamon roll icing.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the dip and creates a smooth, silky texture.
- Milk: Thins the dip to the perfect consistency for dunking.
- Butter : Used for cooking the roll ups in batches to golden perfection.
- Cinnamon sugar for serving : Adds an extra sweet, sparkly finish to the cooked roll ups.
how to make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups
These easy brunch recipes come together with simple, straightforward steps.
- Prepare the Bread: Use a sharp knife to cut the crusts off all the bread slices, then flatten each slice with a rolling pin until it's thin and slightly wider. The bread should be quite flat but not torn. Set the flattened slices aside.
- Make the Egg Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the half and half (or milk), eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is well blended and smooth. Set this aside where you can easily reach it during cooking.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, melted butter, and Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups. Stir everything together until fully mixed and the consistency is like a thick paste. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Dip: In another small bowl, blend the cream cheese and powdered sugar together using a fork or spoon until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, stirring after each addition until the dip reaches a creamy, pourable consistency that's perfect for dipping.
- Assemble the Roll Ups: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. While it's melting, spread a generous layer of the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups filling onto each slice of flattened bread, going almost to the edges. Roll up each slice tightly lengthwise like a little log, and repeat with all the remaining bread slices.
- Cook the Roll Ups: Once the skillet is hot and the butter is melted and sizzling, dip each rolled-up bread into the egg mixture, turning to coat all sides and allowing any excess to drip off before adding it to the skillet. Cook the roll ups for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs or a spatula until they're golden brown on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a serving plate.
- Finish Cooking: Continue the cooking process in batches, adding more butter to the skillet as needed between batches. Make sure the butter is melted and hot before adding more roll ups. Once all the roll ups are cooked and golden, sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar if desired.
- Serve: Serve the roll ups warm with the cream cheese dip on the side for dunking and dipping.
Creative Variations to Try
These french toast recipes are wonderfully adaptable to different flavors and preferences.
Nutella Filling: Replace the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups filling with Nutella for a chocolate-hazelnut version that's absolutely decadent.
Berry Cream Cheese: Add a spoonful of strawberry or blueberry jam to the cream cheese dip for a fruity twist.
Apple Pie Version: Mix finely diced apples with the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups filling and add a pinch of nutmeg for an apple pie-inspired treat.
Pumpkin Spice: Replace the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups in the filling with pumpkin pie spice and add a tablespoon of pumpkin puree to the cream cheese dip for fall flavor.
Maple Glaze: Skip the cream cheese dip and drizzle the finished roll ups with maple glaze made from powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Whole Wheat Option: Use whole wheat bread instead of white for a slightly heartier, nuttier flavor.
EQUIPMENT
Large skillet: For cooking the roll ups to golden perfection in batches. Rolling pin: Essential for flattening the bread so it rolls up easily without cracking.
Shallow bowl for egg mixture: Makes it easy to dip and coat the roll ups evenly.
Small bowl for filling and cream cheese dip: For mixing your cinnamon filling and creamy dip.
Whisk: Helps blend the egg mixture smoothly.
Knife for cutting crusts: A sharp knife makes removing crusts quick and clean.
Spatula or tongs for flipping roll ups: Makes turning the roll ups easy without breaking them.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Store leftover cinnamon roll french toast roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cream cheese dip should be stored separately in its own container.
To reheat, warm the roll ups in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and slightly crispy again. You can also microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds, though they won't be as crispy.
For make-ahead convenience, you can prepare the roll ups through the assembly stage, place them on a baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before cooking. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before dipping in the egg mixture and cooking.
The cream cheese dip can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just stir it well before serving, and thin with a little extra milk if needed.
Serving Suggestions
These comforting breakfast ideas work beautifully for so many different occasions.
Serve them as the star of a weekend brunch spread with fresh fruit, crispy bacon, and a pitcher of orange juice. They're also perfect for special occasions like Mother's Day breakfast, birthday brunches, or holiday mornings when you want something festive and fun.
For a dessert twist, serve them after dinner with vanilla ice cream and extra cream cheese dip drizzled on top. They pair wonderfully with our Lemon Blueberry Muffins for a sweet brunch table, or alongside Tomato Bruschetta when you want to offer both sweet and savory options.
Try setting up a toppings bar with the cream cheese dip, maple syrup, whipped cream, fresh berries, and chopped nuts so everyone can customize their roll ups. They're also wonderful for brunch parties, sleepovers, or any time you want to make breakfast feel extra special.
Expert Tips
Use soft, fresh bread: Day-old or stale bread is too dry and will crack when you try to roll it. Fresh, soft sandwich bread works best.
Flatten thoroughly: Make sure the bread is quite flat before rolling. This prevents it from cracking and helps it roll up tightly.
Roll tightly: The tighter you roll the bread, the better it holds together during cooking and the prettier the finished roll ups look.
Don't oversoak: Dip the roll ups in the egg mixture quickly, just enough to coat them. If they soak too long, they'll become soggy and fall apart.
Keep the heat medium: Too high and the outside will burn before the inside cooks through. Medium heat gives you that perfect golden color with a fully cooked center.
Serve immediately: These are best enjoyed warm right after cooking when they're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
FAQ
How do I make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups?
To make these roll ups, flatten slices of bread with a rolling pin, spread with a Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups-butter-sugar mixture, then roll them up tightly. Dip each roll in an egg and milk mixture, then cook in butter in a skillet until golden brown on all sides. Serve with a sweet cream cheese dip. The whole process takes about 30 minutes and is easy enough for kids to help with. My mom always says the key is rolling them tight so they don't unravel in the pan.
Can I make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups and refrigerate them for up to 4 hours before cooking. Just cover them tightly with plastic wrap so they don't dry out. You can also make the cream cheese dip up to 2 days ahead. However, it's best to cook them just before serving for the crispiest texture. If you have leftovers, they reheat well in the oven.
Can I use whole wheat bread instead of white bread?
You can use whole wheat bread, but it tends to be denser and may crack more easily when rolling. If you want to use whole wheat, look for a softer variety and make sure to flatten it very well with the rolling pin. The flavor will be slightly nuttier and heartier than with white bread. Grandma used to say you can make almost any recipe work with whole wheat if you're patient and gentle.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the cream cheese dip in a separate container. Reheat the roll ups in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes to restore some crispiness, or microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds if you're in a hurry. They won't be quite as crispy as when fresh, but they'll still taste delicious.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups
Ingredients
Method
- Cut off the crusts of the bread slices.
- Flatten each bread slice with a rolling pin and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the half and half (or milk), eggs, and vanilla extract until fully blended. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
- In another small bowl, blend together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually add the milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the dip reaches a creamy consistency.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Spread a generous amount of the cinnamon filling on each slice of flattened bread. Roll up tightly along the length of the bread.
- Once the skillet is hot and the butter is melted, dip each roll up into the egg mixture, ensuring that excess liquid drips off before placing it in the skillet. Working in batches, cook each roll up for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Remove the cooked roll ups from the skillet and set them aside on a serving plate.
- Continue cooking the remaining roll ups, adding more butter to the skillet as necessary to prevent sticking.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if desired, for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Serve the roll ups warm with a side of cream cheese dip for dipping.
Leave a Reply