Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Name: Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8 - 10
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus more softened for pan; 3 (12.4-oz.; 350-g.) tubes refrigerated cinnamon roll dough; 4 large eggs; 1/2 c. (120 ml.) whole milk; 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 1 tsp. ground cinnamon; 3 tbsp. maple syrup, divided; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided; 1 c. (115 g.) pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped; 1/2 c. (115 g.) cream cheese, room temperature; 2 tbsp. whole milk; 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup; 1/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1/4 c. (30 g.) powdered sugar

By Ananda EidelsteinUpdated: Sep 28, 2022

3.6

5 Ratings

preview for Pop A Can And Make This Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Yields:

8 - 10

Prep Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Jump to recipe

Looking for a dish that takes brunch from boring to brilliant? This cinnamon roll casserole is an upgrade of the classic pastry that will win over anyone at the weekend table. With a subtle nod at French toast, the custard makes the casserole tenderer and fluffier than just enjoying a roll on its own. You'll start with raw dough—not baked—which absorbs most of the custard as it bakes. There's just the slightest bit of custard at the base for a nice contrast between the crispy top and the tender bottom. Pair this casserole with other brunch go-tos like eggs Benedict or breakfast strata and a round of mimosas, while you're at it.

Pecans or walnuts add a welcome crunch to each bite, while the maple cream cheese icing offers a sophisticated twist on the standard. For a quick and easy approach, we turned to premade cinnamon roll dough, but if you want to make this a project, you can always use our cinnamon rolls recipe to make the dough from scratch.

Is a cinnamon roll considered breakfast or dessert?

That depends on you! If you like it as an after-meal treat, then it's dessert. Prefer to start the day with a cinnamon roll? Then it's breakfast.

Can you reheat cinnamon roll casserole?

You can reheat cinnamon roll casserole for 10 to 15 minutes in a 350º oven, but it's best to eat it the day it's baked.

P.S. To get even bite-size pieces, slice the dough about 1" thick, then in half again crosswise.

Editor’s Note: This recipe was updated on September 28, 2022, to reflect changes to the recipe, to include more information about the dish and to add a video.

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Ingredients

Casserole

2 Tbsp.
unsalted butter, melted, plus more softened for pan
3
(12.4-oz.; 350-g.) tubes refrigerated cinnamon roll dough
4
large eggs
1/2 cup
(120 ml.) whole milk
2 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
1 tsp.
ground cinnamon
3 Tbsp.
maple syrup, divided
1/2 tsp.
kosher salt, divided
1 cup
(115 g.) pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

Maple Cream Cheese Icing

1/2 cup
(115 g.) cream cheese, room temperature
2 Tbsp.
whole milk
1 Tbsp.
pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp.
kosher salt
1/4 cup
(30 g.) powdered sugar

Directions

Casserole
1. Step 1Preheat oven to 350° and coat a 13"-by-9" glass baking dish with butter.
2. Step 2Cut dough into large, bite-size pieces and arrange in an even layer in prepared pan, placing some on their side and some with the edges poking up. It’ll be a tight fit; it’s okay if dough is touching.
3. Step 3In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined. Pour mixture over cinnamon rolls.
4. Step 4In a small bowl, mix pecans, melted butter, and remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined. Spoon over top of casserole.
5. Step 5Bake until casserole is puffed and top and edges are deeply golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.
Maple Cream Cheese Icing
1. Step 1In a medium bowl, whisk cream cheese, milk, maple syrup, and salt until mostly smooth. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth and no lumps remain.
2. Step 2Let casserole cool about 10 minutes, then drizzle with icing.
3. Step 3Cut rolls and serve with remaining icing alongside.