The Secret to Perfect Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups (Tested by Home Cooks)
Do you remember the comforting aroma of cinnamon rolls filling the house on special mornings? Cinnamon french toast roll ups capture that exact nostalgic experience but with a delightful twist that’s ready in just 25 minutes. These handheld breakfast treats have earned their popularity for good reason—an impressive 94% of home cooks would make them again.
What makes these french toast roll ups so irresistible is their perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Additionally, this cinnamon roll french toast recipe uses basic pantry staples, making it accessible for spontaneous weekend breakfasts or holiday mornings. Kids particularly enjoy helping roll these up, turning breakfast preparation into a family activity. With only 15 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking, these easy cinnamon roll french toast roll ups deliver all the flavor of traditional cinnamon rolls without the lengthy preparation. In fact, once baked, you can sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar, dust with powdered sugar, or dip them in syrup—creating a breakfast treat you can actually eat with your hands!
Choosing the Right Ingredients for French Toast Roll Ups
The foundation of perfect cinnamon french toast roll ups starts with selecting the right ingredients. First and foremost, choosing the appropriate bread makes all the difference in texture and taste. Soft white sandwich bread appears in nearly every tested recipe, with many home cooks recommending it for its pliability and ability to roll without tearing. While white bread is the standard, several alternatives can elevate your breakfast creation.
For those seeking a more decadent version, consider these bread options:
- Brioche: Offers a buttery richness that melts in your mouth
- Challah: Features an elastic texture from eggs and sugar
- Milk bread: Holds more liquid thanks to the tangzhong method
- Sourdough: Provides complex flavor from wild yeast cultures
Furthermore, the filling is where you can truly customize your roll ups. Classic cinnamon roll french toast typically includes a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. However, cream cheese fillings have become equally popular, often combined with strawberries or jam. Nutella serves as another fan favorite, either alone or paired with fresh fruit.
The egg mixture binding everything together typically consists of eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Most recipes call for 1-2 eggs combined with 2-4 tablespoons of milk, though some use half-and-half for extra richness.
What gives these roll ups their signature finish is the cinnamon-sugar coating. A mixture of granulated sugar (usually 2-3 tablespoons) and ground cinnamon (1-2 teaspoons) creates that irresistible sparkly exterior. Some home cooks prefer using brown sugar for deeper flavor.
Lastly, don’t forget the butter – it’s essential for achieving that golden-brown exterior when cooking your roll ups. Many recipes suggest having maple syrup available for serving, though these treats are delicious enough to enjoy on their own.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cinnamon Roll French Toast
Creating these delicious cinnamon french toast roll ups is surprisingly straightforward once you know the technique. Let me walk you through the process step by step.
First, prep your bread by removing all crusts from each slice. This creates a perfect square that’s easier to roll. Next, use a rolling pin to flatten each slice until it’s about 1/8-inch thick – this makes the bread more pliable for rolling without tearing.
For the classic cinnamon filling, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and a generous amount of cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly across each flattened bread slice, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent leakage during cooking.
Starting from one edge, roll each slice tightly into a cylinder shape. Apply gentle pressure along the seam to seal it closed. Set these aside while you prepare the egg mixture.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon until thoroughly combined. This creates the classic french toast batter that gives your roll ups their distinctive flavor.
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter until it begins to sizzle. Dip each roll up in the egg mixture, ensuring all sides are coated. Place them seam-side down in the pan to prevent unraveling.
Cook for approximately 1-2 minutes per side, rotating occasionally to ensure even browning. You’ll want to achieve a golden-brown exterior that’s slightly crisp while keeping the inside soft and tender.
For the finishing touch, immediately roll the hot french toast roll ups in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before they cool. This creates that irresistible sweet coating that makes cinnamon roll french toast recipes so popular.
Serve your french toast roll ups warm, either on their own or with maple syrup for dipping. The beauty of these handheld treats is their versatility – they work equally well for special brunches or quick weekday breakfasts.
Tips and Variations from Home Cooks
After testing this recipe countless times, home cooks have discovered ingenious tricks to perfect their cinnamon french toast roll ups. Above all, keeping your roll ups securely closed while cooking is essential. Place them seam-side down first in the hot pan and hold them in place with tongs for a few seconds to seal the edge. For stubborn rolls, a toothpick works wonders to keep everything together during cooking – just remember to remove it before serving!
Is your bread tearing when you try to roll it? If so, it might be too dry. A quick 5-10 second blast in the microwave can soften it to the perfect rolling consistency. Moreover, using a rolling pin to thoroughly flatten each slice creates a smooth, tear-resistant surface.
When it comes to fillings, the possibilities are nearly endless. Beyond the classic cinnamon-sugar mixture, home cooks recommend these delicious combinations:
- Cream cheese with fresh strawberries or fruit preserves
- Nutella with banana slices
- Peanut butter with banana or jam
- Apple pie filling with a sprinkle of cinnamon
- Blueberries with cream cheese
For perfect cooking results, remember that a quick dip in the egg mixture is sufficient – oversoak and you’ll end up with soggy centers. As a result, day-old bread often works better than fresh, as it absorbs less liquid.
Planning ahead? You can assemble these roll ups the night before and refrigerate them, then dip and cook in the morning. Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze them for up to two months and reheat in an oven at 425°F for about 3 minutes per side.
In essence, the secret to non-soggy roll ups is maintaining medium heat – too low and they’ll absorb too much butter, too high and they’ll burn before cooking through. For serving, these handheld treats are wonderful on their own, but a dusting of powdered sugar or warm maple syrup takes them to another level.
Conclusion
Cinnamon french toast roll ups truly represent the perfect blend of simplicity and indulgence for breakfast enthusiasts. Throughout this article, we’ve explored why these delightful treats have earned a 94% approval rating from home cooks who would gladly make them again. Their appeal lies not just in the nostalgic cinnamon flavor but also in their practical advantages.
White sandwich bread serves as the traditional foundation, though alternatives like brioche or challah can elevate your breakfast experience. Likewise, fillings range from classic cinnamon-sugar to creative combinations with cream cheese, Nutella, or fresh fruits. This versatility makes these roll ups adaptable to anyone’s taste preferences.
The step-by-step process remains surprisingly straightforward despite the impressive results. Flattening the bread, adding filling, rolling tightly, dipping in egg mixture, and pan-frying creates a delicious treat in just 25 minutes total. The finished roll ups offer that perfect contrast between the crispy, cinnamon-sugar exterior and soft, flavorful interior.
Home cooks have certainly perfected this recipe through countless test runs. Their collective wisdom helps ensure success whether you’re making these for the first time or looking to refine your technique. Additionally, the make-ahead options allow for convenient preparation, making these roll ups suitable for both special occasions and everyday breakfasts.
Finally, these handheld treats solve the age-old problem of serving french toast without the mess. Kids particularly enjoy helping with preparation and eating them without utensils. Whether dusted with powdered sugar or dipped in maple syrup, cinnamon french toast roll ups deliver all the comfort of traditional cinnamon rolls with significantly less effort. Next weekend, give this recipe a try – your family will undoubtedly ask for them again and again.
FAQs
Q1. What type of bread works best for cinnamon French toast roll ups? Soft white sandwich bread is the most popular choice due to its pliability and ability to roll without tearing. However, brioche, challah, milk bread, or sourdough can also be used for a more decadent version.
Q2. How can I prevent my French toast roll ups from becoming soggy? To avoid soggy roll ups, use day-old bread, which absorbs less liquid. Give the rolls a quick dip in the egg mixture rather than soaking them, and maintain medium heat while cooking to ensure they cook through without absorbing too much butter.
Q3. What are some creative filling ideas for French toast roll ups? Beyond the classic cinnamon-sugar mixture, popular fillings include cream cheese with fresh strawberries or fruit preserves, Nutella with banana slices, peanut butter with jam, apple pie filling, or blueberries with cream cheese.
Q4. Can I prepare cinnamon French toast roll ups in advance? Yes, you can assemble the roll ups the night before and refrigerate them, then dip and cook in the morning. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to two months.
Q5. How long does it take to make cinnamon French toast roll ups? These delicious treats can be prepared in just 25 minutes total, with 15 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time, making them perfect for both spontaneous weekend breakfasts and special occasions.