When it comes to impressive yet easy breakfast recipes, it truly doesn’t get much simpler or more satisfying than this cinnamon roll casserole! It takes the beloved flavor of classic cinnamon rolls and transforms them into a hearty, shareable bake that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

Made primarily with convenient, store-bought refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, this recipe provides all the incredible taste of traditional cinnamon rolls without the extensive kneading, rising, and rolling typically involved in from-scratch baking. It’s an ideal dish for those cherished special occasions when you want something spectacular but are short on time. Beyond holiday feasts, it’s also fantastic for serving a large gathering or even preparing ahead and freezing for a quick treat later.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Easy Cinnamon Roll Bake:

1. Effortlessly Easy to Make. This Cinnamon Roll Bake stands out for its incredible simplicity. It can be quickly assembled on a busy morning, making it perfect for spontaneous brunch plans. Even better, you can easily prepare it the night before, allowing for a truly stress-free morning. It’s designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort!
2. The Perfect Centerpiece for Holiday Breakfasts. What’s a holiday morning without the sweet, comforting scent of cinnamon rolls? This casserole offers a super easy and festive way to uphold that delicious tradition for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special celebration. It feeds more people than individual rolls and looks stunning on the breakfast table.
3. Incredibly Versatile. Whether you prefer the convenience of refrigerated cinnamon rolls or enjoy the process of making your own, this recipe adapts beautifully. You can use any brand of canned cinnamon rolls, or even homemade dough cut into pieces – the choice is entirely yours! This flexibility ensures you can always enjoy this delightful dish.
4. A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser. Prepare for smiles and compliments! The moment this simple recipe emerges from the oven, its heavenly aroma will draw everyone to the kitchen. It’s a universally loved treat that satisfies sweet cravings and brings a touch of warmth and comfort to any gathering. Everyone, from kids to adults, will be asking for seconds!
5. Convenient for Any Schedule. Beyond its ease of preparation, this casserole is highly adaptable to your schedule. You can prepare it ahead of time, bake it fresh, or even use a slow cooker, freeing up valuable oven space during busy holidays.

Storage Tips for Your Leftover Cinnamon Roll Casserole

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers of this delicious cinnamon roll casserole, proper storage ensures you can enjoy them for a few more days. Always allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Once cooled, transfer any leftover portions to an airtight container, or tightly wrap the entire baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Stored in the refrigerator, it will remain fresh and delicious for up to 4 days.

Reheating Your Casserole

Enjoying warm cinnamon roll casserole again is simple:

• Microwave Method (Individual Servings): For quick reheating, place individual servings onto a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second increments until warmed through, checking periodically to prevent overheating.
• Oven Method (Entire Dish): To reheat the entire baking dish, first allow the dish to come to room temperature (this prevents temperature shock if placing a cold dish into a hot oven). Then, preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Cover the casserole lightly with foil to prevent drying, and warm in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. A fresh drizzle of additional icing after reheating makes it taste just as good as fresh!

Freezing for Future Enjoyment

This Cinnamon Roll Casserole recipe can indeed be prepared and frozen, making it an excellent option for meal prepping or future busy mornings. For the very best results in terms of texture and freshness, I highly recommend freezing it *before* baking.

Here’s how to freeze your unbaked cinnamon roll casserole:

1. Prepare the Base: Place the quartered cinnamon roll pieces evenly at the bottom of a freezer-safe baking dish or a disposable aluminum foil pan.
2. Add the Custard: Prepare the delicious custard mixture as directed in the recipe, then pour it over the cinnamon roll layer, ensuring good coverage.
3. Initial Cover: Cover the dish tightly with a layer of aluminum foil.
4. Store the Icing: Place the reserved icing from your cinnamon roll cans into a small, freezer-safe bag. Position this bag on top of the foil-covered casserole so you don’t forget it.
5. Seal and Label: Wrap the entire breakfast casserole with another layer of foil to prevent freezer burn. Don’t forget to label it clearly with the recipe name, date, and baking instructions for easy future reference.
6. Thaw and Bake: When ready to bake, transfer the frozen casserole to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Once thawed, remove the icing bag, and bake as directed in the original recipe (350ºF for 28-33 minutes). Add the icing after baking.

Expert Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll Casserole

• Amplify with Butter. To make this cinnamon roll breakfast bake extra rich, moist, and even more decadent, consider drizzling a tablespoon or two of melted unsalted butter over the cinnamon roll pieces before pouring in the custard and baking. This small addition creates an incredibly luscious texture and depth of flavor – truly yummy!
• Icing Options. For ultimate convenience, I always recommend using the delicious icing that comes packaged with your refrigerated cinnamon rolls. However, if you want to elevate your casserole for a truly special occasion, feel free to use your favorite homemade basic glaze or a rich cream cheese icing instead. A homemade touch can make all the difference!
• Warm Up the Icing. If you find that the icing (especially from the canned rolls) is too thick or stiff to spread easily over the warm casserole, a quick trick will solve it. Simply microwave the icing container or bag for about 10-20 seconds. This gentle warming will make it much more pliable and effortless to spread evenly, creating that beautiful, smooth glaze.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on your casserole during the last few minutes of baking. Overbaking can lead to dry cinnamon rolls. The center should be set, and the top golden brown, but still gooey and tender inside.
• Serve Warm: While delicious at any temperature, this casserole is truly at its best when served warm, straight from the oven, with the icing slightly melted into the rolls.

Make Ahead Instructions: Prepare the Night Before

One of the greatest advantages of this cinnamon roll breakfast casserole is how easily it adapts to your schedule, especially for busy mornings or holiday preparations. You can conveniently prepare several steps the night before, waking up to minimal work on the day of serving.

1. Prepare Cinnamon Roll Base: Add the quartered cinnamon roll pieces to the bottom of your lightly greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Cover and Refrigerate Dough: Cover the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the dough from drying out, and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
3. Prepare and Store Custard: In a separate large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the custard mixture: eggs, milk (or heavy cream), buttermilk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, honey, and maple syrup.
4. Cover and Refrigerate Custard: Cover this bowl tightly with plastic wrap as well and refrigerate it overnight, separately from the cinnamon roll dough.
5. Morning Assembly & Bake: The next morning, simply pour the pre-made custard mixture on top of the cinnamon roll pieces in the baking dish. Then, bake as directed in the recipe (350ºF for 28-33 minutes), adding the icing once it’s out of the oven.

Important Note: To reduce the risk of temperature shock and potentially cracking your baking dish, always place the cold baking pan into a cold oven. Then, turn on the oven to preheat and allow both to come up to temperature together.

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Casserole: A Convenient Option

You might be wondering if you could make a Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole, and the answer is a resounding yes! This easy recipe translates beautifully to the slow cooker, offering an incredibly convenient way to prepare a warm, delicious Christmas morning breakfast, or any morning breakfast, especially when you need to free up oven space or are bringing breakfast on the go.

Using a slow cooker ensures a hands-off cooking experience, resulting in tender, gooey cinnamon rolls with minimal effort. Here’s how to adapt this recipe:

1. Prepare Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 6-quart slow cooker insert to prevent sticking.
2. Add Cinnamon Rolls: Place the quartered cinnamon roll dough pieces evenly into the bottom of the greased slow cooker.
3. Mix Custard: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, heavy cream (or milk), buttermilk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, honey, and maple syrup. Whisk thoroughly until well combined.
4. Pour and Cook: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll layer in the slow cooker. Place the lid on your Crock Pot and cook on the “Low” setting for approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until the cinnamon roll dough is cooked through and set in the center. Cooking times can vary between slow cooker models, so keep an eye on it!
5. Finish and Serve: Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker, remove the lid, and immediately top with the reserved icing. The residual heat will melt the icing beautifully. Serve this warm and delightful slow cooker cinnamon roll casserole immediately!

Yes, absolutely! Using homemade cinnamon rolls will only elevate the flavor and charm of this casserole. Prepare your favorite cinnamon roll recipe, then instead of shaping them into traditional rolls, cut the dough into thick pieces (about 1 ½” thick). You’ll typically need the equivalent of about 10 standard-sized rolls. Place these pieces in the bottom of a greased baking dish, pour the custard mixture on top, and bake as directed. The baking time might be similar, but keep an eye on it as homemade dough can vary.

Pouring heavy cream (or a milk and egg custard) over the cinnamon rolls before baking serves a crucial purpose: it adds significant moisture, richness, and creaminess. This “custard bath” prevents the cinnamon rolls from drying out, ensuring they bake up incredibly soft, fluffy, and tender on the inside, almost like a bread pudding. It also infuses them with a deeper, more luxurious flavor, making them even more delicious and decadent than usual! It’s the secret to that irresistible gooey texture.

Yes, you can! Many brands now offer gluten-free refrigerated cinnamon rolls (like Pillsbury Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls). Simply substitute the regular canned cinnamon rolls with a gluten-free version. Ensure all other ingredients (like extracts) are certified gluten-free. The preparation and baking instructions should remain the same.

This casserole is best served warm, straight from the oven, allowing the icing to be perfectly melted and gooey. You can scoop it directly from the dish or slice it into squares. It’s fantastic on its own, or you can pair it with fresh fruit, a side of scrambled eggs, or bacon for a more complete breakfast spread.