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Turn plain slices of sandwich bread into cinnamon swirl-inspired French toast roll-ups with a crunchy outer layer and gooey, sweet spiced middle. Every mouthful gives you a comfy hit of cinnamon sugar and creamy egg mix—making any morning start out extra fun.
Whenever I whip these up for a lazy Saturday, my whole place smells like vanilla and cinnamon. The kids jump in to help roll them up—stealing little pinches of the cinnamon-butter mix whenever I’m not looking.
Irresistible Ingredient Picks
- Farm Eggs: Fresh eggs make super smooth custard and cover every piece really well.
- European Butter: Rich, high-fat butter melts perfectly for a creamy middle.
- White Bread: Extra soft, fresh bread rolls up without tearing or falling apart, and soaks up all those yummy flavors.
- Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar gives it warm caramel taste and a little gooiness.
- Fresh Cinnamon: Strong-smelling ground cinnamon brings cozy heat and sweetness.
- Pure Vanilla: Good vanilla lifts the flavor and adds natural sweet notes.
Easy Rolling Method
- Final Cooking:
- Melt butter in your pan until it's just bubbly. Cook roll-ups in small groups, turning around so every side gets golden and crispy.
- Bread Prep:
- Cut the crusts off fresh bread and gently roll flat with a pin so it stays even but doesn't tear.
- Custard Mix:
- Whisk eggs until the mix is totally even first, then stir in milk and flavors. You want just the right thickness—sticks to the bread without soaking it.
- Rolling Style:
- Roll up from one end, tucking tight but gentle. Give the seam a squeeze so your filling stays in.
- Mixing the Filling:
- Stir soft butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together until it's silky. Spread lightly, leaving a border at the edge to help seal.
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After so many times making these, I’ve learned chilling the rolls a bit before frying keeps them picture-perfect. One brunch I’ll never forget—rolling every minute meant not one soggy spot by the end.
Winning Serving Ideas
Stack your crispy roll-ups any which way on a warm plate. Sprinkle them with powdered sugar right before handing them out. Put out a little jug of warm maple syrup for everyone to drizzle their own.
Fun Twists
Switch things up—try banana and Nutella or swipe some apple butter inside. Want savory? Go for cream cheese and fresh chopped herbs. If it’s a special holiday, stir orange zest into the egg dip before rolling.
Keeping Them Fresh
If you need to prep ahead, pop your assembled raw roll-ups in the fridge wrapped up for up to half a day. Once they’re cooked, keep them warm in a low oven for around half an hour. Pop leftovers in the oven at 350°F to get that crunch back.
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After so many family breakfasts, these roll-ups have turned into our go-to weekend treat. They pull together all the fun of French toast with a cool, snacky vibe. Whether you’re sitting down with family or treating friends at brunch, these show how easy stuff can make sweet memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why should I squash the bread?
- Squishing the bread makes it simple to roll up tight so they don't come apart as you cook.
- → Will other bread types work?
- Soft white bread is best since it bends easily, but you could try other softer types. Skip breads with a lot of grain or ones that are really crusty.
- → How do I keep the inside from spilling out?
- Leave the edges plain when you add the filling, then squeeze the roll closed gently.
- → What’s an easy way to warm them back up?
- Just toss them in a skillet on medium for about a minute, or use a 350°F oven for five to seven minutes and they’ll stay crispy.
- → Can I stuff them with other things?
- Totally! Swap in some cream cheese, chocolate spread, or jam for more flavors.