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I first encountered this brilliant fusion when I was trying to satisfy my family's conflicting breakfast cravings - half wanted cinnamon rolls, half wanted french toast. This recipe is my solution to that delicious dilemma! What I love about these roll-ups is how they capture the essence of both classics in one perfect bite. You start with regular bread slices, flatten them out, spread with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, then roll them up tight. The magic happens when you dip each roll in the french toast custard and cook them until golden brown. The result is these beautiful cylindrical treats with a crispy, caramelized exterior and a soft, cinnamon-swirled interior. Each bite delivers that perfect contrast of textures - the crunch of the golden coating giving way to the tender, sweet center. It's like eating the best parts of a cinnamon roll and french toast all at once, but somehow even better because of how the flavors meld together during cooking.
Why I love this recipe
What makes me absolutely adore this recipe is how it transforms ordinary ingredients into something that feels truly special and bakery-worthy. There's something so satisfying about the rolling technique - it's almost meditative, and you can see the beautiful spiral pattern forming as you work. I love how forgiving this recipe is too; even if your rolls aren't perfectly tight or evenly sized, they still turn out delicious. The way these cook up is just magical - watching them go from simple rolled bread to these gorgeous golden cylinders with that incredible caramelized coating never gets old. But beyond the visual appeal, it's the flavor that really wins me over. The cinnamon sugar gets all melty and gooey inside while the french toast coating creates this amazing crispy shell. It's comfort food at its finest, but elevated enough that I feel proud serving them to guests. Plus, they're so much quicker than making actual cinnamon rolls from scratch, which means I can have that same indulgent experience without the time commitment.
What You Need From Your Kitchen
- White bread: Remove crusts and flatten with rolling pin until thin and pliable
- Brown sugar: Mix with cinnamon to create the sweet filling mixture
- Large eggs: Whisk with milk and vanilla to create french toast custard
- Ground cinnamon: Combine with brown sugar for the classic cinnamon roll flavor
- Whole milk: Add to eggs for rich, creamy custard base
- Butter: Melt in skillet for cooking the roll-ups until golden brown
Let's Make These Together
- Flatten the bread slices
- Start by removing the crusts from your bread slices, then use a rolling pin to gently flatten each slice until it's thin and pliable. This step is crucial for getting tight, neat rolls that won't fall apart.
- Create the cinnamon filling
- Mix your brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined. Spread this sweet mixture evenly over each flattened bread slice, leaving just a small border around the edges to help with sealing.
- Roll them up tight
- Carefully roll each filled bread slice from one end to the other, creating neat cylinder shapes. Press the seam gently to seal and prevent unrolling during cooking.
- Prepare your custard
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in a shallow dish until completely smooth. This custard base will give you that classic french toast flavor and golden coating.
- Cook to perfection
- Heat butter in your skillet over medium heat. Dip each roll-up in the custard mixture, coating all sides, then cook while turning frequently until they're beautifully golden brown all around.
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Switch Things Up
I discovered this recipe on a lazy Sunday morning when I was craving both cinnamon rolls and french toast but didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen. I had some day-old bread that needed to be used up, and inspiration struck! The first time I made these, I was amazed at how the simple technique of rolling flattened bread with cinnamon sugar could create such an elegant-looking breakfast treat. My kids were skeptical at first, thinking I was just making weird rolled-up bread, but once they took that first bite and tasted the crispy, caramelized exterior giving way to the soft, cinnamon-sweet center, they were completely won over. Now it's become our go-to weekend breakfast whenever we want something special without too much fuss. The house fills with the most incredible aroma while they're cooking - it's like having a bakery right in your own kitchen.
Perfect Pairings
These cinnamon roll french toast roll-ups pair beautifully with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a hearty morning meal. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup takes them to the next level of indulgence. Fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries add a lovely tartness that balances the sweet cinnamon flavor. For beverages, they're perfect with hot coffee, creamy hot chocolate, or fresh orange juice. If you're serving them for brunch, consider adding scrambled eggs and hash browns for a complete feast.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the roll-ups the night before and store them in the refrigerator. Just dip in the custard and cook them fresh in the morning for best results.
- → What type of bread works best?
White sandwich bread works perfectly, but day-old bread is even better as it's less likely to tear when rolling. Avoid very fresh or soft bread as it can fall apart.
- → Can I freeze these roll-ups?
Absolutely! Freeze the cooked roll-ups for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
- → How do I prevent them from unrolling while cooking?
Make sure to press the seam firmly when rolling and place them seam-side down in the pan first. The egg mixture helps seal them as it cooks.
- → Can I add other fillings?
Yes! Try cream cheese, chopped apples, or even a drizzle of Nutella along with the cinnamon sugar for delicious variations.
Conclusion
These cinnamon roll french toast roll-ups are the perfect combination of two beloved breakfast classics. They're crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with that irresistible cinnamon sugar flavor we all crave. Whether you're making them for a special weekend breakfast or a holiday brunch, they're guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. The best part is how simple they are to make - you'll have bakery-quality results with minimal effort and ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.