One taste of these warm, sweet bites and you’ll understand why I keep making this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe over and over. They’re the perfect mix of crispy outside, gooey cinnamon inside—a cozy breakfast treat that feels like a hug on a plate.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I have to admit, this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe quickly became a weekend staple in my house. It feels fancy but only takes minutes to pull together, plus it’s a fantastic way to use up bread. I love how each bite bursts with cinnamon sugar goodness inside a crispy, buttery roll.
- Unexpected Delight: These roll ups give you all the flavor of cinnamon rolls without the hours of waiting or yeast.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything at home already, making it easy to whip up anytime.
- Kid-Friendly: They’re perfect for getting the kids involved, rolling their own little creations.
- Customizable: You can switch up the fillings or toppings to suit your mood or what’s in the pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe plays a delicious role. The bread acts like a soft canvas, ready to soak up the cinnamony sweetness and egg wash for that golden crust. Using softened butter helps spread the filling easily. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Bread: Choose white or sandwich bread — it softens and rolls up without breaking.
- Butter (softened): Makes for a creamy cinnamon sugar spread that melts beautifully inside the rolls.
- Light brown sugar: Adds the perfect molasses-y sweetness and caramel notes.
- Cinnamon: The star spice that fills each bite with warmth.
- Eggs & milk: Create the classic French toast custard that crisps the outside to golden perfection.
- Granulated sugar & cinnamon mixture: A final sweet coating that adds a little crunch and extra spice hit.
- Powdered sugar (optional): For dusting, and an elegant finishing touch if you want to make it look fancy.
- Butter for cooking: Helps brown the roll ups nicely without sticking.
Make It Your Way
I enjoy mixing it up by adding cream cheese or fruit preserves inside before rolling. It’s such a flexible recipe, you can really get creative and make it your own—whether that means swapping out cinnamon for pumpkin spice in the fall or adding a little citrus zest for a bright twist.
- Variation: One time, I added a smear of strawberry jam before the cinnamon butter, and it brought a lovely fruity surprise to every bite.
- Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and a non-dairy milk of your choice for a fantastic allergy-friendly option.
- Fully Loaded: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts inside for extra texture and indulgence.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Flatten Your Bread
Start by trimming off the crusts from each bread slice—that way, the roll ups seal nicely without hard edges poking out. Then, grab a rolling pin and gently flatten each slice to about ⅛ inch thickness. This makes the bread thin enough to roll but still sturdy to hold the filling without tearing.
Step 2: Mix Your Cinnamon Sugar Butter
In a small bowl, beat together softened butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined. This luscious spread is the heart of the roll ups—it’s sweet, buttery, with that signature warmth from the cinnamon.
Step 3: Spread and Roll
Slather each flattened bread slice generously with the cinnamon butter mixture, then roll it up tightly, pressing the seam so it stays closed. This part’s fun if you have kids helping—they love rolling their own little cinnamon bundles.
Step 4: Egg Dip and Cook
Whisk together eggs and milk in a shallow bowl. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about a tablespoon of butter. Dip each roll-up in the egg mixture, coating fully, then place seam side down in the pan. Cook a few at a time, browning on all sides by turning a quarter turn until they’re golden and crispy, usually about 7-8 minutes total.
Step 5: Sugar Cinnamon Finish
Once cooked, roll the warm French toast rolls in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon, or dust them lightly with powdered sugar for that extra sweet touch. Serve them up warm—bonus points if you have some maple syrup for dipping.
Top Tip
From my many times making this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe, a few little pointers made all the difference. Trust me, paying attention to these will save you from frustration and elevate the result.
- Flatten Enough: Flatten the bread thoroughly without tearing—it’s key for easy rolling and to avoid gaps where filling might leak out.
- Seal Your Rolls: Press the seam firmly after rolling so they don’t unravel in the pan.
- Medium Heat Cooking: Keep your burner at medium—not high—to allow the roll ups to cook evenly and brown gently without burning.
- Use Enough Butter: Don’t skimp on butter in the pan—this encourages a beautiful crust and prevents sticking.
How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple—just a light dusting of powdered sugar or rolling them in cinnamon sugar does the trick beautifully. Sometimes, I drizzle a little warmed maple syrup or even cream cheese glaze for a more indulgent finish that everyone loves.
Side Dishes
Fresh berries or sliced bananas partner wonderfully here, cutting through the sweetness with their bright, juicy notes. A side of scrambled eggs or crispy bacon makes this a well-rounded, hearty breakfast that will satisfy all morning cravings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun brunch, I arrange these roll ups vertically on a platter and sprinkle edible flowers or mint leaves for a pop of color. Wrapping each one in a cute ribbon or placing them in mini paper cups can turn these into delightful party finger foods.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover roll ups tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for about 2 days, but I promise they’re so good you probably won’t have many leftovers!
Freezing
I’ve frozen these by placing the cooked rolls on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transferring them to a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to a month, making it easy to enjoy them anytime—just thaw and reheat.
Reheating
To keep them crispy, I reheat in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a couple of minutes rather than the microwave. This warms them through and revives that lovely golden crust.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can prepare the rolls the night before and keep them wrapped in the refrigerator. Then just cook them fresh in the morning for the best texture and flavor.
Sandwich bread with a soft, slightly dense texture works best. White bread is classic, but whole wheat or cinnamon swirl can add fun flavor variations. Avoid very crusty or artisan-style loaves as they might crack when rolled.
Yes! Use a dairy-free butter substitute and any plant-based milk like almond or oat milk in place of regular milk, and you’ll still get a delicious result.
Pressing the seam firmly after rolling and cooking seam side down first helps seal them. Also, avoid over-soaking the bread in the egg mixture to keep them from becoming too fragile. Cooking on medium heat keeps them intact and allows them to brown evenly.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe holds a special place in my heart for how it turns an everyday breakfast into a little celebration. I love sharing it with friends because it’s simple, comforting, and always brings smiles. Give it a try on your next lazy morning—you’ll be glad you did.
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Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 roll ups
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups are a delightful breakfast treat that combines the flavors of cinnamon rolls and French toast in a quick and easy recipe. Soft bread slices are filled with a sweet cinnamon butter mixture, rolled up, dipped in an egg custard, and cooked to golden perfection. Perfect for a festive morning or any time you want a comforting, cinnamon-flavored breakfast.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Filling
- ½ stick butter (softened)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
Egg Mixture
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoon milk
Coating and Topping
- 10-12 slices white bread
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or up to taste)
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoon butter for cooking (more if necessary)
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon. Beat together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Prepare Sugar Cinnamon Mixture and Egg Mixture: In another bowl, mix granulated sugar with cinnamon and set aside. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with milk until combined and set aside.
- Prepare Bread Slices: Remove the crusts from the bread slices and flatten each slice with a rolling pin to about ⅛ inch thickness to make them easy to roll.
- Spread Filling and Roll Bread: Spread a thick layer of the cinnamon butter mixture evenly over each flattened bread slice. Then, tightly roll up each slice around the filling, ensuring they hold their shape.
- Cook the Roll Ups: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter. Dip each roll up in the egg and milk mixture to coat thoroughly, then place them seam side down onto the skillet. Cook 3 to 4 roll ups at a time.
- Brown All Sides: Cook each side until browned and then turn a quarter turn to cook all sides evenly until golden brown on all sides.
- Coat with Sugar Cinnamon and Serve: Once cooked, roll each French toast roll up in the granulated sugar and cinnamon mixture or dust with powdered sugar. Serve them warm, optionally with maple syrup for dipping.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for a quick and festive Christmas morning breakfast.
- You can use white sandwich bread for best results; make sure to remove crusts and flatten for easy rolling.
- If you prefer, add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey for additional sweetness.
- Use a non-stick pan and medium heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust cinnamon amounts according to preference for a milder or stronger cinnamon flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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