Hawaiian Roll French Toast

This Hawaiian roll French toast bake transforms ordinary breakfast into a delightful morning treat that will have your whole family rushing to the table. The sweet, pillowy Hawaiian rolls soak up the rich custard mixture, creating a perfect balance of crispy edges and soft, custard-like centers in every bite.

I first made this for a Christmas morning breakfast, looking for something special but low-stress. The delicious aroma filled our home as everyone opened gifts, and it's now our most requested holiday breakfast tradition.

Ingredients

• Hawaiian sweet rolls: these pillowy soft rolls add a subtle sweetness that regular bread can't match. Their tender texture absorbs the custard beautifully
• Large eggs: provide structure and richness to the custard. Farm fresh eggs with bright orange yolks give the best color and flavor
• Whole milk: adds richness to the custard. Full fat is essential here for the proper consistency
• Heavy cream: creates an ultra luxurious custard texture that makes this dish feel special
• Granulated sugar: sweetens the custard base without overwhelming the other flavors
• Vanilla extract: always use pure rather than imitation for the best flavor profile
• Ground cinnamon: provides warm spice notes. Ceylon cinnamon offers a more delicate flavor if available
• Nutmeg (optional): adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the spice profile
• Unsalted butter: allows you to control the salt content. The melted butter creates an irresistible caramelized topping
• Brown sugar: the molasses content helps create a caramelized crust on top. Dark brown sugar provides more pronounced flavor
• Powdered sugar: for that classic French toast look that makes it extra special
• Maple syrup: only use pure maple syrup here. The flavor difference is worth it

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Baking Dish:

Thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter, getting into all corners and up the sides. This crucial step prevents sticking and adds extra flavor to the edges of your French toast bake.

Cube The Hawaiian Rolls:

Using a serrated knife, cut the Hawaiian rolls into approximately 1 inch cubes. Don't worry about making them perfectly uniform as the varying sizes create textural interest in the final dish. Spread them evenly in your prepared baking dish, allowing some pieces to point upward for crispy edges.

Create The Custard Base:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk six large eggs until completely broken up and slightly frothy. This aeration helps create a lighter custard. Add the milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg if using. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely uniform with no visible egg strands or spice clumps.

Soak The Bread:

Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes, making sure to hit all areas of the dish. Use a spatula to gently press down on the bread, encouraging it to absorb the liquid. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes, occasionally pressing down again to ensure maximum absorption.

Add The Decadent Topping:

While the bread soaks, melt your butter completely and mix it with the brown sugar until well combined. This creates a mixture that will caramelize during baking. Drizzle this evenly over the soaked bread, trying to cover as much surface area as possible.

Bake To Golden Perfection:

Place the baking dish in your preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating once halfway through for even browning. You'll know it's done when the top is deeply golden brown and crisp, while a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with no liquid custard.

Serve And Garnish:

Allow the bake to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This sets the custard for cleaner slices. Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving and provide warm maple syrup on the side.

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The thing I love most about this recipe is how the Hawaiian rolls create the perfect texture—somehow both custardy and fluffy at the same time. My daughter once declared this "birthday cake breakfast" on a random Tuesday morning, and the name has stuck in our family ever since!

Make-Ahead Options

For busy mornings or when hosting guests, you can prepare this French toast bake entirely the night before. Complete all steps up through pouring the custard over the bread cubes and letting them soak. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator while your oven preheats, add the butter and brown sugar topping, and bake as directed. You may need to add 5 to 8 minutes to the baking time since you're starting with cold ingredients.

Delicious Variations

This recipe welcomes creative additions to make it your own. Try adding 1 cup of fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries scattered between the bread cubes before pouring the custard. For an indulgent twist, sprinkle 1/2 cup of chocolate chips throughout the dish or add 1/4 cup of finely chopped pecans to the brown sugar topping for a delightful crunch. During fall, adding 1/2 cup of diced apples tossed in cinnamon makes a wonderful seasonal adaptation.

Serving Suggestions

Transform this dish into a complete brunch spread by serving alongside savory items like crispy bacon or breakfast sausages to balance the sweetness. A fresh fruit salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich French toast. For a special occasion, offer a variety of toppings beyond maple syrup—try fresh whipped cream, berry compote, or banana slices with caramel sauce. This French toast bake also pairs beautifully with coffee or mimosas for an elevated weekend brunch experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the dish the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Bake it fresh the next morning.

→ Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes, thick breads like brioche or challah are great alternatives to Hawaiian rolls.

→ What toppings work best with this dish?

Powdered sugar, fresh fruits, whipped cream, or maple syrup are excellent choices.

→ Can I substitute the heavy cream?

Yes, you can use half-and-half or increase the amount of whole milk as a substitute.

→ How can I avoid the top browning too quickly?

Cover the dish with aluminum foil if the top starts to brown too fast during baking.