There’s something delightfully fun about transforming simple bread and cinnamon into a treat that feels fancy and festive. This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is like wrapping up the cozy flavors of a cinnamon roll into perfect little bites you’ll want to make again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember making this recipe for a holiday brunch last year and how everyone just couldn’t get enough. It’s easy to prepare, mess-free compared to traditional cinnamon rolls, and perfectly portable if you’re in a rush. Trust me, this one’s a keeper.
- Quick & Easy: No rising dough—just roll, cook, and serve in less than 30 minutes.
- Perfect Portion Sizes: Roll ups make it easy to grab and enjoy without the mess of slicing big pieces.
- Customizable Filling: You can adjust the cinnamon sugar combo or add cream cheese spread for extra indulgence.
- Great for Special Occasions: Ideal for Christmas morning or weekend brunch when you want something easy but impressive.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe plays a simple but crucial role. The bread acts as the soft canvas for that cinnamon-sugar goodness, while the eggs and milk help achieve that classic French toast texture. Here’s a quick look at why these ingredients are the perfect team:
- White sandwich bread: Soft and easy to roll, and removing the crust lets it flatten perfectly for rolling up.
- Butter: Provides richness in both filling and for cooking, enhancing flavor and crispness.
- Light brown sugar: Its molasses content complements the cinnamon and gives a deep caramel flavor.
- Cinnamon: The star spice that warms the entire recipe with its sweet and slightly spicy notes.
- Eggs: Bind the roll ups when dipped and give that classic French toast eggy crust.
- Milk: Thins the egg mixture just enough for easy coating and tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just a bit of crunch and sweetness when rolled over the cooked French toast.
- Powdered sugar (optional): A lovely finishing touch for extra sweetness and presentation.
Make It Your Way
This recipe is wonderfully versatile. I swear by the classic cinnamon sugar filling, but sometimes I like to sneak in a spread of cream cheese or Nutella before rolling for an added surprise. Feel free to customize the sweetness or add chopped nuts for crunch — it’s your roll up, your rules!
- Variation: For a richer twist, spread softened cream cheese mixed with a bit of powdered sugar on the bread before adding the cinnamon sugar—your guests will think you spent hours making these.
- Dietary adjustment: Use gluten-free bread and a dairy-free butter substitute to make this recipe friendly for those with intolerances.
- Seasonal twist: Swap cinnamon with pumpkin spice in fall for a festive flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Bread and Cinnamon Filling
Start by removing the crusts from your bread slices—this helps the roll ups stay neat when you roll them tightly. Then, flatten each slice with a rolling pin until they’re about ⅛ inch thick. In a small bowl, beat together softened butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth; this will be your cinnamon filling. Spread a generous layer on each flattened slice. This step sets the foundation for that melt-in-your-mouth center.
Step 2: Roll Them Up Tight
Firmly but gently roll each slice of bread around the cinnamon mixture, making sure the filling stays inside. If you roll too loosely, the filling can spill out during cooking. A good tip is to place the seam side down once rolled—it helps keep them sealed as they cook.
Step 3: Prepare Your Egg Mixture and Sugar
In a bowl, whisk eggs with the milk until fully combined. Separately, mix granulated sugar with cinnamon and have it ready for coating the roll ups after cooking. This step adds that extra crunch and sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the soft roll up interior.
Step 4: Cook Until Golden and Delicious
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about a tablespoon of butter. Dip each roll up in the egg mixture, coating all sides, then place seam side down in the pan. Cook 3 to 4 at a time, rotating them every few minutes to brown all sides evenly, about 8-10 minutes total. The goal is a golden crust all around without burning—medium heat is your friend here.
Step 5: Roll in Cinnamon Sugar and Serve Warm
Once cooked, immediately roll each French toast roll up in the cinnamon sugar mixture or dust with powdered sugar. Serve them warm, with maple syrup for dipping if you like that classic touch. The contrast between the crispy outside and sweet, gooey inside is seriously irresistible.
Top Tip
After making these a handful of times, I realized a few simple tweaks make all the difference. These tips helped me nail the texture and keep the roll ups from falling apart.
- Crust Removal: Take off the crusts completely; it’s easier to roll tight and less likely to break during cooking.
- Rolling Thickness: Flatten the bread to about ⅛ inch thick—not too thin or it’ll tear, and not too thick or the centers stay doughy.
- Medium Heat Cooking: Cooking over medium heat gives the outside a crispy shell without burning while ensuring the inside cooks through.
- Seam Side Down: Place your rolls seam side down first in the pan. This technique helps seal them and prevents filling leaks.
How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar—it makes these roll ups look extra special without overpowering the cinnamon flavor. Sometimes, I drizzle a little maple syrup or honey right before serving for that perfect hint of extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
They pair beautifully with fresh fruit like strawberries or orange slices—to refresh your palate between bites. If you’re serving brunch, crispy bacon or breakfast sausages provide a salty contrast that gets everyone’s smiles going.
Creative Ways to Present
When I want to wow guests, I arrange the roll ups vertically in a pretty serving dish to mimic cinnamon rolls on a tray. Adding a few mint sprigs or a side bowl of whipped cream takes the presentation from casual to charming in minutes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which might be rare!), I store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. They’re quick to reheat the next morning and still taste delicious.
Freezing
These roll ups freeze well! Before cooking, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then cook as usual. It makes for a fantastic grab-and-go breakfast.
Reheating
For reheating, I pop the roll ups in a toaster oven or under a broiler for a few minutes to bring back that crisp exterior. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep them from getting soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! While white sandwich bread is ideal for soft, easy rolling, you can experiment with brioche or challah for a richer flavor and texture. Just be mindful that denser breads may require thinner slicing and careful rolling.
Removing the crust ensures the bread rolls more neatly. Roll your bread slices tightly and always place the roll ups seam side down first in the pan to help seal them. Avoid overcrowding your pan so you can flip and move them gently.
Absolutely! You can assemble the roll ups ahead of time and keep them wrapped in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. When ready to eat, just cook as directed. They reheat well too if you want to get a jumpstart on breakfast.
I like to serve the roll ups with warm maple syrup on the side for dipping. This way, everyone can control how much sweetness they want. Alternatively, drizzling syrup lightly over the top right before serving is a tasty option too.
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups are one of those simple joys that turn an ordinary morning into something a little magical. I love how this recipe combines ease, flavor, and that nostalgic cinnamon warmth all in one bite. Once you try these, I’m pretty sure they’ll become a brunch staple in your house, just like they did in mine. So grab some bread and cinnamon, and roll ’em up—you won’t regret it!
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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 and easy-to-make breakfast treat that combines the warm flavors of cinnamon and sugar with the comforting texture of French toast. These roll ups are perfect for making ahead and impressing your family on Christmas morning or any special occasion, offering a fun twist on traditional French toast by rolling sweet cinnamon filling inside flattened bread slices.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Filling
- ½ stick butter (softened)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
Egg Mixture
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoon milk
Coating
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or up to taste)
Additional
- 10-12 slices bread (to toast)
- 2 tablespoon butter for cooking (more if necessary)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon. Beat together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring even cinnamon distribution throughout.
- Mix Coating Sugar: In a separate bowl, mix granulated sugar with cinnamon. Set this cinnamon sugar aside for rolling the cooked French toast roll ups later.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs together with the milk until fully blended. Set aside for dipping the bread rolls.
- Prepare Bread: Remove crusts from bread slices and flatten each slice using a rolling pin until approximately ⅛ inch thick to make rolling easier and prevent tearing.
- Fill and Roll Bread: Spread a thick layer of the cinnamon filling evenly over each flattened bread slice. Carefully roll each slice tightly around the cinnamon mixture to form roll ups.
- Cook Roll Ups: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter. Dip each roll up into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated, then place seam side down in the pan. Cook 3 to 4 rolls at a time.
- Brown and Turn: Cook the roll ups until they are browned on one side, then turn a quarter turn to cook all sides evenly until each roll is golden brown and cooked through.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Once cooked, roll the French toast roll ups in the cinnamon sugar mixture or dust with powdered sugar as desired.
- Serve Warm: Serve immediately while warm, with maple syrup for dipping if preferred, enhancing their sweet and comforting flavor.
Notes
- This recipe is quick and simple, perfect for a festive Christmas morning or a cozy weekend breakfast.
- For best results, use stale or day-old bread to prevent sogginess and make rolling easier.
- You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
- If you prefer a dairy-free or vegan version, use plant-based butter and milk alternatives.
- Make sure to cook roll ups on medium heat to avoid burning the outside while ensuring the inside is cooked thoroughly.
- Serve with warm maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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