If you’re dreaming of a holiday breakfast that feels indulgent yet comes together effortlessly, the Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole is an absolute game-changer. This dish captures all the cozy flavors of cinnamon rolls but bakes them into a warm, fluffy casserole that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Imagine sweet, tender bites soaked in a rich custard with just the right hint of maple syrup and cinnamon—a festive, comforting start to any Christmas morning. It’s not only insanely delicious but also surprisingly simple to make, making it a go-to recipe for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole plays a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of sweet, soft, and custardy goodness. These simple pantry staples come together to deliver a show-stopping breakfast without any fuss.
- 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls, quartered: The star of the show, these provide a fluffy, cinnamon-swirled base that absorbs the custard beautifully.
- 4 large eggs: Eggs add structure and richness, turning the casserole into a satisfying, creamy baked dish.
- ½ cup heavy cream: This enriches the custard, making every bite luxuriously smooth and decadent.
- ¼ cup maple syrup: Natural sweetness with a hint of woodsy depth that pairs perfectly with cinnamon rolls.
- 1 tsp cinnamon: Enhances the warm spice flavors and ties the whole casserole together.
- ½ tsp vanilla extract: Adds subtle warmth and rounds out the sweetness for a well-balanced taste.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish generously to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick and gets a lovely golden crust on the edges. This simple step might seem small, but it’s key for easy serving and that perfect crispy edge everyone loves.
Step 2: Arrange the Cinnamon Roll Pieces
Take your quartered cinnamon rolls and evenly spread them across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Distributing them evenly helps ensure every forkful gets a mix of cinnamon swirl and soft dough after baking.
Step 3: Whisk the Custard Mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This custard will gently soak into the cinnamon rolls, bringing everything together with rich, sweet flavor and a creamy texture.
Step 4: Pour Custard Over Rolls
Slowly pour the custard mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces, gently pressing them down to make sure all the pieces get coated. The rolls will puff up and absorb the liquid, turning tender and custardy once baked.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the casserole for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. This baking time ensures the casserole is cooked through without drying out.
Step 6: Drizzle with Icing
Let the casserole cool just a bit before drizzling the sweet icing from the cinnamon roll cans on top. This finishing touch elevates the casserole from great to glorious with sticky sweetness that melts into the warm bread beneath.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole
Garnishes
While the icing provides plenty of sweetness, adding a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts adds a delightful crunch that contrasts the soft casserole. Fresh berries or sliced fruit on the side introduce a pop of color and refreshing acidity to balance the sweetness.
Side Dishes
This Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole pairs beautifully with savory sides like crispy bacon or sausage links, which help cut through the richness. A simple fresh fruit salad or a green smoothie can also add freshness and lighten the meal especially if you’re feeding a crowd.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive gatherings, try baking the casserole in a decorative glass dish so the cinnamon rolls’ swirls peek through the sides for a visually stunning presentation. You can also serve it alongside small ramekins of extra maple syrup or whipped cream, inviting guests to customize their bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s completely cooled before covering to prevent condensation, which can make the casserole soggy.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover portions by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and foil before placing in a freezer-safe container. Frozen casserole pieces stay delicious for up to 2 months and are perfect for a speedy future breakfast treat.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F (165°C) for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through to preserve the casserole’s texture, or microwave individual servings for quick enjoyment. Adding a little extra drizzle of syrup after reheating keeps things moist and flavorful.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole vegan or dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the cinnamon rolls with a vegan-friendly version, replace eggs with a flax egg or a store-bought egg replacer, swap heavy cream for coconut milk or a plant-based cream, and choose maple syrup or agave for sweetening. These swaps will still deliver that cozy flavor, just tailored to your dietary needs.
Is it okay to use homemade cinnamon rolls instead of canned?
Yes, you can! Homemade cinnamon rolls can add a personal touch and fantastic flavor. Just make sure they are slightly underbaked before assembling the casserole so they bake fully in the dish without getting too dry.
Can this casserole be assembled the night before?
Definitely! This is a big time-saver for busy holiday mornings. Assemble the casserole the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Bake it fresh in the morning—just add 5 to 10 minutes extra baking time since it’s coming straight from the fridge.
What kind of baking dish is best?
A 9×13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish works perfectly for even baking and easy cleanup. Glass helps you watch the caramelizing edges while ceramic keeps the casserole tender and moist.
Can I add nuts or fruit inside the casserole?
Yes! Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts add great texture, and dried fruits such as raisins or chopped dates can bring little bursts of sweetness throughout. Just fold them into the cinnamon roll pieces before pouring the custard on top.
Final Thoughts
The Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole is truly a festive crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s wonderfully simple, indulgently sweet, and perfect for making holiday mornings extra special with minimal effort. I can’t wait for you to try it and share it just like I do with my closest friends every holiday season. Trust me, once you make this, it will become a beloved tradition!
PrintCinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole
This Cinnamon Roll Christmas Morning Casserole is a sweet and fluffy baked breakfast dish, perfect for holiday mornings or any special brunch. It combines quartered refrigerated cinnamon rolls with a custardy mixture of eggs, cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla, baked until golden and finished with the classic cinnamon roll icing drizzled on top. A convenient and crowd-pleasing recipe that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum festive flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Casserole
- 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls, quartered
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- Icing from cinnamon roll cans (included in the cans)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish generously to prevent sticking.
- Arrange cinnamon rolls: Quarter the refrigerated cinnamon rolls and spread them evenly in the prepared baking dish to create the base of the casserole.
- Make custard mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine and bake: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the casserole is golden brown and set.
- Add icing: Once out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the icing that came with the cinnamon roll cans over the top for the classic sweet finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half for a lighter version, but the texture will be slightly less rich.
- For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
- This casserole can be prepared the night before; cover and refrigerate, then bake in the morning (add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking straight from the fridge).
- Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor, but pancake syrup or honey can be used as alternatives.
- Make sure to grease the baking dish well to avoid sticking.