Hawaiian Roll French Toast – A Sweet & Easy Holiday Breakfast Bake

Introduction

Hawaiian Roll French Toast is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for holiday mornings, combining fluffy, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls with a rich, custardy soak and a golden, caramelized finish. This easy breakfast bake is a surefire way to bring everyone around the table together, making your holiday mornings less stressful and infinitely sweeter.

Whether you’re hosting a festive brunch or indulging the family on a lazy weekend, this recipe brings big flavor with minimal effort—perfect for both novice cooks and seasoned hosts.

Why You’ll Love Hawaiian Roll French Toast

What sets this French toast bake apart is its perfect balance of textures: the pillowy soft rolls soak up a vanilla-scented custard, then bake up with a delicate, crispy exterior and outrageously tender middle. The subtle sweetness of the Hawaiian rolls means you can keep the added sugar modest, letting the rolls’ signature flavor shine.

Best of all, the entire dish can be prepped the night before, so you just pop it in the oven on holiday mornings and enjoy more time with your loved ones.

Preparing the Custard Soak for French Toast

The heart of this recipe is a silky custard. Whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, a whisper of cinnamon, sugar, and pure vanilla extract until frothy. Using a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black ensures your custard is smooth and perfectly combined, free from eggy streaks.

Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, nestle them in your baking dish, and pour the custard over, making sure every inch gets a good soak. For maximum flavor and fluffiness, let them rest for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge.

How to Bake the Perfect Hawaiian Roll French Toast

To bake up golden perfection without sticking, line your dish with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. Preheat your oven and make sure the rolls are arranged snugly, so every bite is custardy and lush.

Bake until puffed and set in the center with a beautifully burnished top. Let it rest for a few minutes to allow the custard to settle, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Serving Suggestions for a Holiday Breakfast Spread

Serve your Hawaiian Roll French Toast straight from the oven with an array of holiday toppings—think maple syrup, berries, or softly whipped cream. Drizzle with rich maple syrup or set out a bowl of fresh fruit for a refreshing counterpoint.

For festive gatherings, serve this bake on a disposable Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 10 Pack, White for easy cleanup, and keep leftovers fresh in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup).

Nutritional Information and Servings

This recipe serves 8 generous portions, offering around 320–370 calories per serving (not including toppings). It’s a delightful treat perfect for special occasions.

Recap: Hawaiian Roll French Toast

This Hawaiian Roll French Toast is everything a holiday breakfast should be—simple, luxurious, and absolutely irresistible. The delicate rolls paired with creamy custard deliver an unforgettable dish that will become a family favorite for years to come.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy removal and cleanup.
2. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally (keeping clusters of rolls together). Arrange the bottom halves in the prepared pan.
3. In a large bowl or using your Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black, combine eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Blend or whisk until smooth and frothy.
4. Pour half the custard over the bottom halves of the rolls, pressing gently to help them absorb the mixture. Place the tops back on and pour the remaining custard over.
5. Let the rolls soak for at least 30 minutes (or cover and refrigerate overnight for the best flavor).
6. Bake uncovered for 28–35 minutes, or until the custard is puffed and set and the tops are golden brown. To check doneness, use a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking—the center should reach at least 175°F.
7. Cool for 5 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup, berries, or your favorite toppings.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Soaking Time: 30 minutes–overnight
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (if soaking overnight, allow extra time)