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

Fluffy Hawaiian rolls soaked in a custard blend, baked until golden, and bursting with tropical sweetness—perfect for holiday mornings, cozy brunches, or weekend feasts!

🎉 Introduction

Every good holiday—or slow weekend—deserves a breakfast that feels celebratory yet fuss‑free. Enter Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake: buttery, tender rolls soaked in rich custard, baked to golden perfection, and finished with your favorite toppings. It’s got an irresistible blend of sweet and soft that brings everyone to the table. 🍍✨

This casserole spreads festive cheer with minimal effort—just slice, soak, bake, and enjoy!

🛒 Ingredients

(Serves 6–8)

🍞 For the Toast Bake

• 12–16 sweet Hawaiian rolls (slider size), halved horizontally
• 4 large eggs
• 1½ cups milk (whole, 2%, almond, or oat)
• ⅔ cup heavy cream or half‑and‑half
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

🍓 Optional Toppings

• Maple syrup or pineapple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries or pineapple chunks
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Chopped pecans or macadamia nuts
• Whipped cream

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prep & Assemble

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Arrange the bottom halves of Hawaiian rolls, cut‑side up, in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the top halves, lightly overlapping if needed.

Step 2: Make the Custard

1. In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
2. Stir in melted butter.

Step 3: Soak

1. Pour custard evenly over the assembled rolls, pressing gently to help absorption.
2. Let sit 5–10 minutes to soak in, or cover and chill up to 8 hours (preferably overnight).

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake in preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, until custard is set and top is golden‑brown.
2. Optional: After baking, broil briefly (1–2 minutes) for an extra-carameled top—watch closely.

Step 5: Finish & Serve

1. Cool slightly, then top with powdered sugar, fruit, coconut, nuts, and syrup or whipped cream.
2. Slice into portions and serve warm.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Soak Time: 5–10 minutes (or overnight)
• Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour (add overnight soak if planning ahead!)

🥄 Variations

• Pineapple Twist: Add drained crushed pineapple to the custard or as a topping
• Savory Version: Use ham and cheese between rolls instead of sweet custard
• Chocolate Oreo Crumble: Press Oreos into the top before baking
• Berry Bliss: Swirl in raspberry or blueberry jam after baking
• Gluten‑Free: Use GF Hawaiian‑style rolls or sliced sweet GF bread

🧊 Storage & Make‑Ahead Tips

• Make Ahead: Prep the night before; bake fresh in the morning
• Refrigerate: Store baked leftovers covered up to 4 days
• Reheat: Microwave individual portions (~20 seconds) or bake at 325°F (5–10 minutes) until warm
• Freeze: Freeze slices in a single layer, then wrap and store up to 2 months; thaw and reheat before serving

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why use Hawaiian rolls?
   Their sweetness and soft texture make every bite buttery and tender—no sugary syrup needed.
2. Can I use regular bread?
   Yes—brioche, challah, or Texas toast are great alternatives.
3. Do I need to soak overnight?
   Not required, but an overnight soak gives deeper flavor and custard penetration.
4. Can it be dairy-free?
   Use plant-based milk, cream, and butter substitutes.
5. Can I add fillings?
   Absolutely—strawberries, nuts, or chocolate chips make delicious add-ins.
6. Can I bake in muffin tins?
   Yes—divide rolls into muffin cups and bake about 18–20 minutes.
7. How do I get a crisp top?
   Broil for 1–2 minutes right after baking (watch super carefully).
8. Can I skip the sugar?
   You can reduce or omit sugar—the rolls are naturally sweet.
9. Is it kid-friendly?
   Yes—easy to eat, customizable, and fun to serve!
10. Can I make mini‑servings?
    Serve in small ramekins or mini loaf pans for personal portions.

🏁 Conclusion

Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake is a holiday breakfast superstar! It’s easy to assemble ahead, customizable, and delivers the rich flavor and cozy feel of a classic brunch—no daily effort required.

Warm, soft, and topped with your favorites, this casserole turns breakfast into an event—without breaking a sweat. 🥥🎉

Adam

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

Every good holiday—or slow weekend—deserves a breakfast that feels celebratory yet fuss‑free. Enter Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake: buttery, tender rolls soaked in rich custard, baked to golden perfection, and finished with your favorite toppings. It’s got an irresistible blend of sweet and soft that brings everyone to the table. 🍍✨ This casserole spreads festive cheer with minimal effort—just slice, soak, bake, and enjoy!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

bake & Soak time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Serves 6–8

🍞 For the Toast Bake

• 12 –16 sweet Hawaiian rolls slider size, halved horizontally
• 4 large eggs
• 1½ cups milk whole, 2%, almond, or oat
• ⅔ cup heavy cream or half‑and‑half
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted

🍓 Optional Toppings

• Maple syrup or pineapple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries or pineapple chunks
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Chopped pecans or macadamia nuts
• Whipped cream

Method

 

Step 1: Prep & Assemble

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Arrange the bottom halves of Hawaiian rolls, cut‑side up, in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the top halves, lightly overlapping if needed.

Step 2: Make the Custard

1. In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
2. Stir in melted butter.

Step 3: Soak

1. Pour custard evenly over the assembled rolls, pressing gently to help absorption.
2. Let sit 5–10 minutes to soak in, or cover and chill up to 8 hours (preferably overnight).

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake in preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, until custard is set and top is golden‑brown.
2. Optional: After baking, broil briefly (1–2 minutes) for an extra-carameled top—watch closely.

Step 5: Finish & Serve

1. Cool slightly, then top with powdered sugar, fruit, coconut, nuts, and syrup or whipped cream.
2. Slice into portions and serve warm.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Pineapple Twist: Add drained crushed pineapple to the custard or as a topping

Savory Version: Use ham and cheese between rolls instead of sweet custard

Chocolate Oreo Crumble: Press Oreos into the top before baking

Berry Bliss: Swirl in raspberry or blueberry jam after baking

Gluten‑Free: Use GF Hawaiian‑style rolls or sliced sweet GF bread

🧊 Storage & Make‑Ahead Tips
Make Ahead: Prep the night before; bake fresh in the morning

Refrigerate: Store baked leftovers covered up to 4 days

Reheat: Microwave individual portions (~20 seconds) or bake at 325°F (5–10 minutes) until warm

Freeze: Freeze slices in a single layer, then wrap and store up to 2 months; thaw and reheat before serving

❓ 10 FAQs
Why use Hawaiian rolls?
Their sweetness and soft texture make every bite buttery and tender—no sugary syrup needed.

Can I use regular bread?
Yes—brioche, challah, or Texas toast are great alternatives.

Do I need to soak overnight?
Not required, but an overnight soak gives deeper flavor and custard penetration.

Can it be dairy-free?
Use plant-based milk, cream, and butter substitutes.

Can I add fillings?
Absolutely—strawberries, nuts, or chocolate chips make delicious add-ins.

Can I bake in muffin tins?
Yes—divide rolls into muffin cups and bake about 18–20 minutes.

How do I get a crisp top?
Broil for 1–2 minutes right after baking (watch super carefully).

Can I skip the sugar?
You can reduce or omit sugar—the rolls are naturally sweet.

Is it kid-friendly?
Yes—easy to eat, customizable, and fun to serve!

Can I make mini‑servings?
Serve in small ramekins or mini loaf pans for personal portions.

🏁 Conclusion
Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake is a holiday breakfast superstar! It’s easy to assemble ahead, customizable, and delivers the rich flavor and cozy feel of a classic brunch—no daily effort required.

Warm, soft, and topped with your favorites, this casserole turns breakfast into an event—without breaking a sweat. 🥥🎉