Your new favorite winter brunch indulgence
A Cozy Twist on a Brunch Classic
There’s something about waking up on a chilly morning and smelling cinnamon drifting through the house. It takes me straight back to my Nonna’s kitchen—though she made Italian pastries, I’ve always loved experimenting with new flavors that still carry that same cozy magic.

These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are my American-inspired brunch comfort food love letter. They’re soft, golden, and pan-fried like classic French toast, but rolled up with a creamy cinnamon filling that mimics the flavor of a gooey cinnamon roll. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside—just how a good winter morning should feel.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
- ❄️ Winter Comfort: Warm, spiced, creamy—these are like a cozy sweater for your tastebuds.
- 🧀 Dreamy Filling: A luscious blend of cream cheese, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- 🍞 Simple Ingredients: Bread, eggs, milk, cinnamon, and a few pantry staples.
- 🥄 Kid-Friendly & Make-Ahead: These roll-ups can be prepped in advance and frozen.
- 🎉 Perfect for Brunch Buffets & Holiday Mornings
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Roll-Ups:
- 8 slices of white sandwich bread, crusts removed
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Butter or neutral oil for pan-frying
Optional Toppings:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Cream cheese glaze
- Fresh berries
- Toasted pecans
Instructions
1. Make the Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth and spreadable. Set aside.
2. Prep the Bread
Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice of bread. This step helps the bread roll tightly and cook evenly.
3. Assemble the Roll-Ups
Spread a generous teaspoon of filling onto each bread slice. Roll it up tightly like a mini jelly roll. Set seam-side down.
4. Mix the Custard Dip
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar (if using). This is your classic French toast custard.
5. Dip and Cook
Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt a little butter. Dip each roll-up into the custard quickly—just enough to coat. Pan-fry until golden brown and slightly crisp on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per side.
6. Serve Warm and Cozy
Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, or add a dollop of whipped cream. Go wild—it’s brunch!
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
- Use soft, fresh bread—it rolls better and doesn’t crack.
- Don’t soak too long—a quick dip in the custard is all you need.
- Switch it up—use brioche or challah for a richer version.
- Make-ahead magic—assemble and freeze before dipping in egg for a quick holiday morning treat.

How to Make a Cream Cheese Glaze (Optional but Amazing)
Whisk together:
- 2 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Drizzle warm over your roll-ups. You’re welcome. 😍
Variations & Add-Ins
- 🍎 Apple Pie Roll-Ups: Add sautéed apples with cinnamon sugar to the filling.
- 🍫 Chocolate Lovers: Add mini chocolate chips or Nutella.
- 🥥 Coconut Cream: Mix in a spoonful of coconut cream to the filling and top with shredded toasted coconut.
If you love the apple-cinnamon combo, you’ll also adore our Apple Pie Biscuits—another cozy, fruity treat!
What to Serve With Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
Balance out the sweetness with:
- Scrambled eggs or quiche
- Crispy bacon or sausage links
- Fresh fruit salad
- A warm spiced latte or chai
Or finish off your brunch with Banana Bread Cookies—soft, chewy, and banana-rich.
For the chocolate lovers in the group, pair this with Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes for a decadent finish.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze uncooked, assembled roll-ups (before egg dip) up to 1 month.
To Reheat: Rewarm in a skillet, air fryer, or oven until heated through.
Perfect For:
- 🎄 Christmas Morning
- ☃️ Snowy Sundays
- 🥳 Birthday Brunches
- 👩👩👧👦 Family Breakfasts
- ❤️ Lazy Winter Weekends
Nutrition (per roll-up – approximate)
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 16g
- Sugar: 6g

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 roll-ups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are a cozy fusion of two beloved breakfast treats—filled with cinnamon cream cheese, dipped in egg custard, and pan-fried to golden perfection. Perfect for winter mornings, brunch gatherings, or sweet weekend indulgence.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
-
2 tbsp powdered sugar
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
4 oz cream cheese, softened
For the Roll-Ups:
-
2 large eggs
-
¼ cup whole milk
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 tbsp granulated sugar (optional)
-
1 tsp ground cinnamon
-
Butter or oil for pan-frying
8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
Optional Toppings:
-
Maple syrup
-
Cream cheese glaze
-
Fresh berries
Powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Filling:
In a small bowl, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth.Flatten the Bread:
Using a rolling pin, flatten each bread slice. This helps them roll easily and cook evenly.Spread and Roll:
Spread the cream cheese filling onto each slice. Roll tightly and set seam-side down.Make the Custard:
Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar in a shallow bowl.Dip and Fry:
Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Dip each roll-up into the custard, coating lightly, and pan-fry until golden brown on all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side).
Serve:
Serve warm with powdered sugar, syrup, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
Don’t soak the bread too long—just a quick dip keeps them from getting soggy.
Use soft sandwich bread or try brioche for extra richness.
Want to freeze? Roll and freeze the uncooked roll-ups (before dipping) and thaw before cooking.
Make a cream cheese glaze by whisking 2 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp milk, ¼ cup powdered sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll-up
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups, easy brunch recipe, cozy winter breakfast, cream cheese cinnamon roll-ups