Hawaiian Roll French Toast – A Sweet & Easy Holiday Breakfast Bake
Hawaiian roll French toast bake is holiday magic in bread form. This sweet breakfast is soft, custardy, and golden. Hawaiian rolls soak up rich egg‑custard beautifully. Cinnamon and vanilla infuse every tender bite. Topped with maple syrup and powdered sugar delight. Perfect warm weather or cozy winter mornings alike. Prepped the night before for stress‑free cooking. Bake it, slice it, serve it with joy. It delights guests, kids, and festive gatherings alike. Let’s make a breakfast everyone will love together.
Ingredients
Rich Hawaiian rolls make the base unforgettable. Custard soaks in sweetness and warmth. Spices and vanilla bring cozy notes. Toppings add crunch and festive flair. Basic pantry ingredients create indulgent holiday brunch. Easy to prep, gorgeous to serve afterwards.
- 12 Hawaiian rolls (split in half horizontally)
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half‑and‑half)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter, cubed (to dot on top)
- Powdered sugar, more maple syrup, or fresh berries for serving
Nutritional Information
This bake is rich and wonderfully indulgent. Moderate carbs and fats from milk and eggs. Hawaiian rolls boost sugars and soft texture. Toppings may increase sweetness and calories. Best enjoyed in moderation or special mornings. Perfect for celebrations and festive brunch spreads.
- Calories per serving (1 slice): ~320 kcal
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Sugar: 20g (higher if syrup added)
- Fiber: 1g
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinate Time: Overnight or 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: ~45–60 minutes (with soak time)
How to Make the French Toast Bake
Layered rolls deliver sweet, fluffy custard breakfast. Best if custard soaks through overnight. Bake until edges puff and top browns. Butter dots melt for crisp finishing touch. Serve warm with syrup or berries delight. A bake everyone will adore—no flips required!
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13‑inch baking dish.
Step 2: Split Hawaiian rolls in half; arrange bottom halves in dish.
Step 3: Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
Step 4: Pour custard evenly over rolls; press down to soak. Cover with top halves.
Step 5: Dot cubed butter over the surface of the assembled bake.
Step 6: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results.
Step 7: Uncover and bake 35–40 minutes until golden and set. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Step 8: Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle maple syrup, and garnish with fresh berries if desired.
Healthier Ingredient Alternatives
Use low‑fat or plant‑based milk to reduce fat. Replace sugar with honey or coconut sugar. Use half the liquid sugar, still sweet enough. Sub sweet rolls with whole wheat for fiber. Skip butter dots for a lighter top. Add fruit layering to reduce custard portions.
- Use almond milk or oat milk
- Swap granulated sugar for coconut sugar
- Choose light whipping cream or milk
- Use whole‑wheat sandwich rolls instead
- Omit melted butter topping if desired
- Add fresh fruit between roll layers
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm straight from the oven, steam rising. Pair with fresh fruit or berry compote accompaniment. Offer whipped cream or vanilla yogurt gelatin topping. Make mini portions in ramekins for brunch parties. Add nuts or coconut flakes for extra texture. Coffee, tea, or mimosas complete the holiday vibe.
- Garnish with sliced strawberries and blueberries
- Drizzle additional maple syrup or honey
- Serve alongside crispy bacon or breakfast sausage
- Offer whipped cream or creme fraiche dollops
- Add toasted coconut or chopped pecans on top
- Present in individual ramekins or mini loaves
Storing Tips
Cool completely before storing airtight in the fridge. Lasts well up to 3 days if covered. Reheat gently in oven or toaster oven. Microwaving works, but it may soften edges too much. Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for meal prep. Add fresh syrup or fruit before serving again.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days
- Reheat slices in oven at 325°F until warmed through
- Freeze slices wrapped individually in foil or plastic
- Defrost overnight in refrigerator for best texture
- Reheat gently with a little extra milk or syrup
- Do not leave custard bake unrefrigerated past two hours
Kid-Friendly Tips
Kids love its soft, sweet, custard-soaked texture. Make mini-cups for hands-on breakfast fun. Top with kid-friendly fruits like bananas or berries. Keep maple syrup mild or offer separately. Serve finger-food style for easy dipping joy. Let them help assemble for memorable mornings.
- Use mini muffin tins for individual servings
- Offer sliced bananas or berries as fun toppings
- Let kids sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top
- Use nonstick spray to ease cleanup
- Serve custard mix for kids to drizzle themselves
- Keep portion sizes small for child appetites
Chef’s Special Tips
Use brioche rolls for extra indulgent richness. Let custard soak at least one hour or overnight. Brush tops with melted butter halfway through baking. Use high-quality vanilla extract for aroma depth. Check center with toothpick—should be custardy, not wet. Let rest briefly before cutting to retain shape.
- Choose fresh or bakery Hawaiian rolls for best texture
- Soak custard longer for uniform custardy consistency
- Brush melted butter on surface halfway through bake
- Use real pure vanilla extract for flavor depth
- Test doneness with gentle jiggle or toothpick check
- After baking, rest for five minutes before slicing
Conclusion
This Hawaiian Roll French Toast bake transforms breakfast into indulgence. Its soft bread, sweet cinnamon-custard, and luscious toppings create holiday magic. Minimal effort, maximum joy—perfect for festive mornings. Prep ahead and relax while oven works wonders. It’s joy baked into every golden bite. Ready to bring sweet sunshine to your kitchen? Try this recipe today and spread breakfast bliss.