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Kick start your morning with an incredible treat using this dreamy Hawaiian roll French toast bake. Those sweet, soft rolls soak up a cozy vanilla custard, bringing out the ultimate comfort flavor while your kitchen fills with a warm cinnamon smell you'll love waking up to.
I whipped this up for our holiday brunch one year. Now it's a family must-have whenever we celebrate anything. There's just something special about crunchy roll tops with a soft, buttery inside.
Tasty Ingredient Rundown
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: Go for uber-fresh rolls, or use ones that are a day old. Both work and soak up the custard mix like champs.
- Ground Cinnamon: Sprinkle fresh, aromatic cinnamon for a comforting, warm vibe in each bite.
- Whole Milk & Heavy Cream: These make a creamy, lush custard. That extra fat is what gives you the rich texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Splash in a good amount for bold, sweet flavor that brings out the best in these rolls.
- Large Eggs: Let them warm up to room temperature so your custard gets nice and smooth. Farm eggs make it even better if you’ve got ‘em.
Simple Steps to Awesome French Toast
- Go Golden:
- Cover the dish loosely (foil shouldn't touch the bread), bake until the custard is set, then pull off the cover to brown the top. You’ll know it’s done when a light poke makes it spring back.
- Soak the Rolls Well:
- Pour the custard all over, getting it between every piece. Gently press everything down so the rolls really soak up the goodness. They should feel soft like a wet sponge.
- Whip Up Custard:
- Crack those eggs and beat until blended. Slowly add milk and cream while whisking. Mix in vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar. Whisk until all the sugar’s dissolved and the mixture is a bit bubbly.
- Set Up Your Base:
- Cut each Hawaiian roll across the middle but keep the tops and bottoms paired. Pop them in a greased baking dish, cut-sides up, just like they came out of the bag for perfect layers and even soaking.
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My kids get into it too. Their favorite job? Drizzling melted butter over the top before it hits the oven. It's become a weekend highlight around our house.
Yummy Pairings for Breakfast
Try serving your bake with warm syrup, a handful of fresh berries, or a little sprinkle of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling fancy, add whipped cream or some caramelized bananas on the side.
Fun Flavor Upgrades
Want to change things up? Add a little orange zest to your custard, tuck thin apple slices between the rolls, or toss some chocolate chips up top just before it finishes baking.
Stay Fresh Longer
Just cover any extras and stick them in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready for seconds, microwave pieces for half a minute or warm the whole thing in a 300°F oven.
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After testing all sorts of ways to make this, I learned the real trick is just waiting. Give the custard time to sink in so you get that magical, custardy bite every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare this French toast bake the night before?
- Totally! Fix it all the night before, cover, and chill in the fridge. Just let it warm up a bit before popping it in the oven.
- → What can I substitute for Hawaiian sweet rolls?
- If you can't get Hawaiian rolls, brioche, challah, or another soft roll will do the trick.
- → Can I freeze leftovers of this French toast bake?
- For sure. Wrap up leftovers tight and they'll keep in the freezer for up to two months. Warm them up in the oven or microwave when you're ready.
- → Why is my French toast bake soggy in the middle?
- You might've pulled it out too soon. Keep baking till the middle isn't jiggly and the top browns up. Take the foil off near the end to help the tops crisp.
- → Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
- Yep, half-and-half is fine. It just won't taste quite as rich as using cream.