Imagine waking up to the comforting aroma of cinnamon swirling through your kitchen, promising a decadent breakfast that tastes like a weekend treat but comes together with incredible ease. This Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast combines the gooey swirls of your favorite cinnamon rolls with the tender, custardy goodness of French toast, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. It’s the perfect way to bring a touch of magic to any morning, whether it’s a special occasion or just a desire for something truly delicious.
This Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast is a sweet, gooey dream, finished with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze and served warm and inviting.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, warm, cinnamon spice, buttery, with hints of cream cheese tang.
- Textures: Tender, soft, slightly custardy bread with gooey cinnamon swirls and a smooth glaze.
- Total Active Time: 20 minutes
- Total Cook Time: 3-4 hours on High or 5-6 hours on Low
- Difficulty Level: Easy (mostly hands-off assembly)
What You’ll Need
This delightful slow cooker recipe brings together the comforting elements of both cinnamon rolls and French toast. You’ll start with day-old cinnamon rolls, a rich custard base made from eggs, milk, and cream, and a touch of vanilla and cinnamon to enhance those warm flavors. A luscious cream cheese glaze is the crowning glory, adding a creamy, tangy finish that perfectly complements the sweet swirls.
Ingredient Notes
- Day-old Cinnamon Rolls: Using slightly stale cinnamon rolls is key. They absorb the custard beautifully without becoming mushy, ensuring a wonderful texture in the finished dish. Any brand you love will work perfectly.
- Eggs: These are essential for creating the custardy base that holds everything together and gives the French toast its signature rich texture.
- Milk and Heavy Cream: This duo creates a luxurious, velvety custard. The combination ensures a perfect balance of richness and tenderness.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer, vanilla adds a warm aroma and depth that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
- Ground Cinnamon: Amplifies the classic cinnamon flavor we all adore, infusing every bite with cozy warmth.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is the base for our delightful glaze, providing a subtle tanginess that cuts through the sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the cream cheese glaze and gives it a smooth, pourable consistency.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- For Extra Spice: A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom can add a lovely, subtle complexity to the custard.
- Nutty Crunch: A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before serving would add a delightful textural contrast.
- Fruity Twist: While not traditional, a handful of fresh berries could be a lovely addition to serve alongside, offering a burst of freshness.
- Dairy-Free Option: For the custard, you could try a plant-based milk (like almond or oat) and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the glaze, though the texture may vary slightly.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast
Get ready for the easiest, most delightful breakfast you’ve ever made! This recipe is designed for minimal fuss and maximum enjoyment.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Rolls: Begin by cutting your day-old cinnamon rolls into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. This will help them evenly absorb the custard.
- Place the cut cinnamon roll pieces into your greased slow cooker. Spread them out as evenly as possible.
- Whisk the Custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well combined and smooth. Make sure there are no streaks of egg yolk or white.
- Pour and Soak: Gently pour the egg mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces in the slow cooker. Press down lightly with a spoon or spatula to ensure all the pieces are moistened and start to absorb the liquid. You want them to be happily soaking up all that goodness.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or on LOW for 5–6 hours. We’re looking for the French toast to be set in the center and warmed all the way through. The edges should be beautifully tender and the center should be creamy and soft.
- Pro Tip: Avoid opening the slow cooker lid frequently during the cooking process, as this releases heat and can extend the cooking time. Let the slow cooker do its magic undisturbed!
- Make the Glaze: While the French toast is cooking, prepare the simple cream cheese glaze. In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk or cream (just a teaspoon at a time) until it reaches your desired drizzling consistency.
- Serve: Once the Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast is ready, carefully ladle it into bowls. Drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze. Serve warm and enjoy this absolutely divine breakfast treat!
Recipe Tips
- Use Day-Old Rolls: As mentioned, slightly stale cinnamon rolls are your best friend here. They’ll hold their shape better and soak up the custard without becoming a soggy mess.
- Grease Your Slow Cooker Well: A good coating of cooking spray or butter on the inside of your slow cooker will prevent any sticking and make for easier cleanup.
- Don’t Overfill: Ensure your cinnamon roll pieces aren’t packed too tightly. They need a little room to absorb the custard and expand slightly as they cook.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: The powdered sugar and cream cheese ratio can be tweaked to your liking. Add more powdered sugar for a sweeter, thicker glaze, or a touch more milk for a thinner, drizzly topping.
FAQs
- Can I use fresh cinnamon rolls? While it’s best to use day-old cinnamon rolls, if you absolutely must use fresh ones, you might consider letting them sit out on a wire rack for a few hours to dry out a bit, though the texture might still be slightly softer.
- How do I know when it’s done? The French toast is ready when the center is set and no longer liquidy. It should be tender and warm throughout. A gentle jiggle will show a slight wobble in the center, but it shouldn’t be runny like raw eggs.
- Can I make this without a slow cooker? While this recipe is specifically designed for the slow cooker’s gentle, even cooking, you could adapt it to an oven. You would likely bake cubed cinnamon rolls coated in the custard in a greased baking dish at around 350°F (175°C) for 30–40 minutes, or until set.
- How should I store leftovers? Store any leftover Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven.
Serving Suggestions
This dreamy Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast is wonderful on its own, but here are a few ideas to make your breakfast even more special:
- Fresh Fruit: A side of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries adds a bright, refreshing contrast.
- Crispy Bacon or Sausage: For a savory balance to the sweetness, a few strips of crispy bacon or some breakfast sausage links are always a hit.
- Syrup: While the glaze is delicious, a little extra maple syrup never hurt anyone for those who love extra sweetness.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream on top is pure indulgence.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the components for this Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast ahead of time to make your morning even smoother.
- Prepare Ahead: Cut the cinnamon rolls and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Prepare the custard mixture (eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon) in a separate container, whisking it well, and store it in the refrigerator. Keep the cream cheese and powdered sugar separate until ready to make the glaze.
- Assembly: In the morning, assemble everything in the slow cooker as per the instructions.
- Freezing: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze individual portions once cooked and cooled. Wrap them well and reheat from frozen, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently warming.
Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
Imagine waking up to the comforting aroma of cinnamon swirling through your kitchen, promising a decadent breakfast that tastes like a weekend treat but comes together with incredible ease. This Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast combines the gooey swirls of your favorite cinnamon rolls with the tender, custardy goodness of French toast, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. It’s the perfect way to bring a touch of magic to any morning, whether it’s a special occasion or just a desire for something truly delicious. This Cinnamon Roll Crock Pot French Toast is a sweet, gooey dream, finished with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze and served warm and inviting.
Ingredients
2 12.4 ounce cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
1 cup diced apple
1 ounce raisins
4 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
1. Lightly spray a 6-quart crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cut the cinnamon rolls into quarters.
3. Arrange the cinnamon roll quarters in the crock pot and sprinkle the diced apples and raisins over them. Drizzle one of the icing packets on top.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Gently pour the egg mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces, ensuring they are well coated.
6. Cook on low for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the center is fluffy and cooked through.
7. Serve warm with the remaining icing packet, syrup, or your favorite French toast toppings.
Notes
Use Day-Old Rolls: As mentioned, slightly stale cinnamon rolls are your best friend here. They’ll hold their shape better and soak up the custard without becoming a soggy mess.
Grease Your Slow Cooker Well: A good coating of cooking spray or butter on the inside of your slow cooker will prevent any sticking and make for easier cleanup.
Don’t Overfill: Ensure your cinnamon roll pieces aren’t packed too tightly. They need a little room to absorb the custard and expand slightly as they cook.
Adjust Glaze Consistency: The powdered sugar and cream cheese ratio can be tweaked to your liking. Add more powdered sugar for a sweeter, thicker glaze, or a touch more milk for a thinner, drizzly topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 hours
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
