Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake

Introduction

Few breakfasts deliver comfort and serious flavor like a Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake. This dish transforms soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls into a custardy, cinnamon-swirled treat with golden edges and a melt-in-your-mouth interior. It’s a fuss-free crowd-pleaser—ideal for brunch, holidays, or any time you want to treat loved ones to a special morning meal.

What makes this recipe irresistible is the combination of the fluffy rolls, rich custard, and a buttery, brown sugar topping that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Plus, the ease of prepping everything ahead means less morning stress and more time spent enjoying the weekend.

What Makes Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Irresistible?

The secret is in the texture and the subtle sweetness. Hawaiian rolls soak up the custard without falling apart, yielding a bake that’s both sturdy and tender. As it bakes, the custard mixture transforms the rolls into pillowy layers, while the top crisps just enough for a delightful contrast.

Whether you serve it with syrup, berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar, this bake is versatile and always turns out delicious. Perfect for group gatherings, it feeds a crowd with minimal effort—and always has everyone coming back for seconds.

How to Prep for the Best French Toast Bake

Start by splitting and cubing your Hawaiian rolls. An even cut ensures every piece gets beautifully saturated with the creamy custard. Using a quality Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3 helps keep things neat and preserves the soft rolls’ airy texture.

When mixing the custard, opt for whole milk or half-and-half for richness. Whisking eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt creates a flavor-packed base that soaks into the bread overnight. This resting step allows the flavors to meld and makes morning prep effortless.

Baking and Serving Your Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake

For a golden, perfectly baked casserole with no sticking or burning, line your pan with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. It ensures easy removal and a crisp bottom crust. Pour your custard-soaked bread into the prepared pan, then make the buttery brown sugar crumble: this step adds a caramelized finish to every bite.

Bake until puffed and set—check with a knife; it should come out mostly clean. Serve warm, slicing generous portions and offering maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream on the side for an extra treat!

Tips for a Foolproof French Toast Bake

– Don’t rush the soak: Letting the bread rest for several hours (ideally overnight) ensures custardy, flavorful results throughout.
– If you want to add fruit (like blueberries or diced apples), evenly scatter them between the bread layers for bursts of freshness.
– Get creative with toppings—bacon crumbles, toasted nuts, or even a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce all play well here.
– For perfect portioning at the table, transfer leftovers easily into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup).

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves about 8 generously. Each serving (without extra toppings) contains around 320–380 calories, depending on the milk and butter used. It’s a sweet, special-occasion treat that’s worth every bite.

Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake (Recap)

This bake elevates breakfast or brunch with buttery, custard-soaked rolls and an irresistible caramelized topping. Its sweet-savory balance, effortless prep, and ability to scale up make it the perfect choice for feeding a crowd—and guaranteeing empty plates.

Instructions

1. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with a piece of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy serving and cleanup.
2. Place cubed Hawaiian rolls evenly in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. For a smooth mixture, use the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black, blending for 10–15 seconds on low.
4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently so all the bread absorbs the custard. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
5. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle this mixture over the soaked bread cubes for a caramelized finish.
7. Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let it cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
8. Serve warm, topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or berries. Use a KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set, Milkshake, 2 Count when removing the hot pan from the oven.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2 to 8 hours refrigeration)
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes active, plus soaking time

Inspire Your Morning

This Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake isn’t just an upgrade on classic French toast—it’s the kind of dish that makes any morning feel extraordinary. Tender, rich, and golden, it’s the easiest way to win brunch, satisfy a sweet tooth, and make lasting memories at the breakfast table.