This cinnamon roll French toast casserole with brioche bread is the perfect sweet breakfast or brunch recipe for holidays, family gatherings or just because! This baked brioche French toast recipe takes the flavors from a cinnamon roll and infuses it with the an easy French toast casserole. A homemade cream cheese frosting is spread on top of the breakfast casserole, giving all those cinnamon roll vibes.

Choosing between cinnamon rolls and French toast for breakfast, especially around the holidays, can be a hard decision. Both breakfast recipes are sweet, comforting, and always a crowd pleaser. So when I created this recipe, I wanted to take the flavors of a cinnamon roll and and combine with an easy baked French toast casserole.

This breakfast or brunch recipe is full of warm flavors, buttery brioche bread, and is smothered in a cream cheese frosting. It taste just like a cinnamon roll, but so easier to make!

All the ingredients laid out for the cinnamon roll brioche French toast casserole.

Why you will love this cinnamon roll French toast casserole with brioche bread

Easy: Despite the time it takes to make this breakfast casserole, the steps are pretty simple! The hardest part is waiting for the casserole to rest and bake! You can also meal prep this casserole if you are short on time!

Flavorful: The cinnamon sugar filling in the bread with the egg custard and cream cheese frosting makes for a really delicious breakfast! It truly taste like a cinnamon roll!

Perfect for a crowd: Breakfast casseroles are great way to feed a crowd! This cinnamon roll brioche French toast casserole is perfect for the holidays, brunch or enjoy with friends and family.

The cinnamon sugar spread out on a slice of brioche bread.

Ingredients you will need and substitutions

Brioche Bread: You will need one loaf of brioche bread. You can use pre-sliced bread or a whole loaf and cut the slices yourself. I find that brioche bread works the best for this recipe, but you can swap it for sourdough or French bread.

Eggs: You will need 5 eggs to create the egg mixture for that French toast texture.

Milk: Milk is mixed with the eggs for the egg custard. You can use the milk of your choice. I used 2 percent milk for the recipe.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is used in the egg mixture as well as the cream cheese frosting.

Cinnamon: You will need cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar filling as well as a little for the egg mixture to boost that cinnamon roll vibes.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is used to create the cinnamon sugar filling. You can use light or dark brown sugar.

Butter: You will need softened unsalted butter for both the cinnamon filling as well for the cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese: You will need 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to make the cream cheese frosting.

Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cream cheese frosting.

The unbaked cinnamon roll brioche french toast casserole.

How to make this brioche French toast bake

Grease a baking dish well and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F if baking the same day. You can use a 9X9 square or 11×7 rectangle baking pan. Larger pans will work, but bake time will likely be reduced.
To make the egg mixture, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Whish together and set aside.
To make the cinnamon sugar filling , add the brown sugar, cinnamon and softened butter together in a medium bowl. Mix together until fully combined.
Taking one slice of of brioche bread at a time, spread a generous layer of the cinnamon sugar mixture onto the slice. Top with second slice of bread, creating a sandwich. Repeat until all the bread has been used.
Slice the cinnamon sugar sandwiches into bite sized pieces and place into the greased baking dish. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and toss to coat all the bread pieces. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 15 minutes and up to 8 hours.
When ready to bake, remove cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees F and the bread has become puffy.
While the French toast casserole is baking, make the cream cheese frosting by adding the cream cheese and softened butter together in a large bowl. Beat together until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat together until smooth.
Once the cinnamon roll French toast is done, remove from oven and spread the cream cheese frosting over the top of the casserole. Enjoy!

Cinnamon roll french toast casserole right out of the oven.

Why is my French toast casserole soggy?

If your French toast casserole comes out too soggy, it is likely that it sat too long with the egg custard prior to baking. This rest time is important to allow the bread to absorb the egg mixture. At least 15 minutes and up to 8 hours is the recommended rest time.

Another reason for soggy French toast casserole is using the wrong type of bread. Brioche bread holds up well to the egg custard and works even better if it a few days old. However, using fresh sandwich bread might not absorb the egg mixture and result in a soggy casserole.

Can I make meal prep this French toast recipe?

Yes, you can make this cinnamon roll brioche French toast recipe the night before baking the casserole in morning. This overnight French toast casserole technique works well when you do not have time the in morning to make this sweet breakfast casserole.

To make make this cinnamon roll French toast in advance, follow the directions for making the casserole up until the where the casserole needs time to rest. Cover the unbaked French toast, and place in the refrigerator up to 8 hours.

When ready to bake in the morning, remove the casserole from the fridge and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the cover, and bake the casserole for 40-50 minutes. Follow the directions for the cream cheese frosting and enjoy!

Cinnamon Roll Brioche French Toast Casserole with cream cheese frosting spread on top.

How to store leftovers

This French toast casserole does hold up well for a few days after being baked! To store leftovers, simply cover or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days!

How to reheat leftovers

When ready to dig into the tasty leftovers, remove the desired amount and reheat in the microwave until heated through.

You can also reheat leftovers in the oven by covering the French toast casserole with foil and baking at 350 degrees F. for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Expert tips

If you are slicing your own bread, be sure to slice thicker slices. You want to bread to be hearty enough to withhold the custard mixture. This slices might not absorb well and fall apart when tossing with the egg mixture if sliced too thin.
Do not worry if you see a little egg mixture not absorbed into the bread after resting. A small amount should be absorbed into the bread while baking.
If you feel the top of the casserole is getting to brown during the baking process, you can cover with foil.
It can be tricky to tell when the French toast casserole is done baking. There are few ways to tell it is ready to come out of the oven. The center of the casserole should not “jiggle” at all and the bread should have puffed up. All the egg custard will be fully set and the top of the casserole will be golden brown. If you are still unsure if it safe to eat, you can always check the internal temperature of the breakfast casserole, which should reach at least 160 degrees F. when done baking.

If you give this cinnamon roll French toast casserole with brioche bread a try, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

And be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations.

From my kitchen to yours, happy baking! I hope you love this brioche French toast casserole as much as we do!