Cinnamon Roll Casserole (Easy Shortcut Recipe)

Cinnamon Roll Casserole (Easy Shortcut Recipe)

Cinnamon Roll Casserole is an easy breakfast or brunch recipe starting with shortcut refrigerated cinnamon rolls to impress a crowd for a holiday or a special occasion!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 10

Servings servings

Calories 457kcal

Author Samantha Skaggs

Equipment

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened
½ cup powdered sugar
2 (17.5-ounce) cans jumbo refrigerated cinnamon rolls
6 eggs
⅔ cup milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans OR walnuts optional

Instructions

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.
Add softened cream cheese to medium bowl along with powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth; set aside.
Open one cinnamon roll tube and set the icing packet aside. Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters and then cut each quarter in half (for 8 pieces per roll). Sprinkle the cinnamon roll pieces in the bottom of the baking dish.
Evenly dollop half of the cream cheese mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces in the dish.
Repeat with the other cinnamon roll tube, setting the icing packet aside and cutting each cinnamon roll into 8 pieces. Arrange the pieces over the cream cheese layer, fitting them into the gaps to form an even layer. Dollop and spread the remaining cream cheese mixture on top.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until fully incorporated. Evenly pour egg mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces in the dish. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with chopped nuts, if using.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until puffy in the center. If the casserole starts getting too brown on top before the center is done, cover the dish loosely with foil. Once out of the oven, allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes.
Cut a small corner off one cinnamon roll frosting packet. Squeeze and drizzle the frosting over the casserole. Repeat with the other frosting packet. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

CINNAMON ROLL BRANDS: I prefer using organic canned cinnamon rolls, such as Immaculate Baking Company or Annie’s, but any jumbo canned cinnamon rolls will work.
TYPE OF MILK: You can use any type of milk you like. I use regular whole milk, but you could substitute a non-dairy milk (such as almond milk) or even half-and-half or heavy cream for extra decadence.
CREAM CHEESE: The cream cheese mixture may be omitted if you prefer your Cinnamon Roll Casserole without it.
NUTS: Feel free to leave off the chopped nuts if you prefer. Or, if some people like them and some people don't, use half the amount of nuts and only sprinkle them on half of the casserole.
FOR A SWEETENED CUSTARD: My family finds this recipe to be sweet enough as written, but if you prefer it even sweeter, you can opt to whisk ½ cup maple syrup into the eggs to add sweetness to the custard. Alternatively, you can serve the finished recipe with maple syrup on the side.
HALVING THE RECIPE: You can easily cut the recipe in half and bake it in an 8- by 8-inch baking dish. Just anticipate that it will be done sooner and be ready to check it early…it will probably only take 30 to 40 minutes to bake.
PREVENTING OVER-BROWNING: I covered my Cinnamon Roll Casserole with foil at 45 minutes and it was perfectly baked at 55 minutes. Keep in mind, however, that ovens vary…you should always check early the first time you make a new recipe.
LEFTOVERS: Leftovers will keep in the fridge, tightly covered, for 3 to 5 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave.
MAKE-AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS: (1.) Assemble the casserole as directed through the step of pouring the egg custard into the baking dish. Feel free to chop the nuts, waiting until morning to sprinkle them on top helps prevent them from turning soggy. (2.) Cover the dish tightly and pop it in the fridge overnight. (3.) In the morning, set the Cinnamon Roll Casserole on the counter to come to room temperature while you preheat the oven. Sprinkle with nuts, if using. (4.) Bake, uncovered, as directed. It may require a few extra minutes of baking time since it's starting out chilled. Just lay a sheet of foil on top if it starts browning too much before the center tests done.

Nutrition