Copycat Another Broken Egg Cafe Cinnamon Roll French Toast Recipe
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| Bring brunch home with this copycat Another Broken Egg cinnamon roll French toast, layered with warm spice, sweet glaze, and bakery-style comfort in every bite. |
If you love big brunch flavors, this copycat Another Broken Egg Cafe Cinnamon Roll French Toast recipe is about to become a favorite in your kitchen. It’s rich, sweet, soft in the middle, and lightly crisp around the edges. In other words, it tastes like weekend brunch at home without the restaurant wait.
This easy cinnamon roll French toast recipe brings together tender cinnamon-swirled bread, a creamy custard, warm spice, and a simple glaze that feels extra special. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes the whole house smell amazing. If you’ve ever wanted to recreate that bakery-meets-brunch experience, you’re in the right place.
About Another Broken Egg Cafe and Why This Dish Stands Out
Another Broken Egg Cafe is known for its Southern-inspired breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes. The restaurant has built a loyal following by serving playful comfort food with a polished brunch feel. Think bold flavors, rich sauces, and dishes that look just as inviting as they taste.
Their Cinnamon Roll French Toast stands out because it takes two comfort food favorites and combines them into one over-the-top breakfast. You get the cozy flavor of a cinnamon roll and the soft, custardy bite of French toast in every forkful. It’s buttery, sweet, and warmly spiced, with that familiar aroma of cinnamon and vanilla that feels like a hug from the kitchen.
This post is inspired by that style of dish. We are not claiming to have the restaurant’s exact formula. Instead, this is a copycat version made for home cooks who want a similar flavor and texture with easy grocery store ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Cinnamon Roll French Toast
- Easy to make with common ingredients
- Perfect for brunch, holidays, or lazy weekends
- Sweet and comforting without being hard to prepare
- Beginner-friendly step-by-step instructions
- Restaurant-style flavor right at home
If regular French toast is great, imagine it wearing its Sunday best. That’s what this recipe feels like.
Ingredients
Serves: 4 to 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: About 30 minutes
For the French toast:
- 1 large tube refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, baked and cooled slightly, then sliced in half horizontally or 8 thick slices cinnamon swirl bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more as needed for the pan
For the cream cheese glaze:
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional toppings:
- Maple syrup
- Extra cinnamon
- Chopped pecans
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
Based on 6 servings, including glaze.
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fiber: 1g
Nutrition numbers are estimates and can vary depending on the bread or cinnamon rolls you use.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast
Step 1: Prepare the bread or cinnamon rolls.
If you’re using refrigerated cinnamon rolls, bake them according to the package directions first. Let them cool for about 10 to 15 minutes so they hold their shape better. Then slice each roll in half horizontally, like making a sandwich. This gives you a flatter surface that cooks more evenly.
If you’re using cinnamon swirl bread, cut thick slices, about 3/4 inch to 1 inch thick. Slightly stale bread actually works best here because it soaks up the custard without falling apart.
Step 2: Make the custard.
In a wide shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Keep whisking until the mixture looks smooth and well blended. You don’t want streaks of egg white left behind.
This mixture is what gives French toast its creamy center. Think of it as a sweet, spiced bath for your bread.
Step 3: Preheat your skillet or griddle.
Set a large nonstick skillet or electric griddle over medium to medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt. You want gentle heat, not blazing heat. If the pan is too hot, the outside will brown before the inside cooks through.
Step 4: Dip the bread.
Place one piece at a time into the custard. Let it soak for about 10 to 15 seconds per side if using bread, or about 5 to 8 seconds per side if using soft baked cinnamon rolls. Cinnamon rolls absorb liquid faster, so don’t leave them in too long.
Lift each piece carefully and let excess custard drip off. If the bread is dripping wet, it may tear or cook unevenly.
Step 5: Cook until golden and heated through.
Place the soaked pieces onto the buttered skillet. Cook for about 2 to 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and lightly crisp on the outside.
If needed, reduce the heat slightly so the centers warm through without burning the exterior. Add the rest of the butter as needed between batches.
Food safety note: Because this recipe uses raw egg custard, cook the French toast until the egg mixture is fully set and the center is no longer wet or runny. Egg dishes should reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
Step 6: Make the glaze.
While the French toast cooks, stir together the softened cream cheese and butter in a small bowl until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla. Whisk or beat until creamy. If it seems too thick, add a little more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a drizzle-friendly texture.
Step 7: Assemble and serve.
Arrange the warm French toast on a serving platter or plates. Drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze. Add maple syrup if you like, plus chopped pecans, berries, or whipped cream.
Serve right away while it’s warm and soft. That’s when it’s at its best.
Helpful Tips for the Best Copycat French Toast
- Use medium-low heat. Slow cooking gives you a soft center and golden crust.
- Don’t over-soak soft cinnamon rolls. They can turn mushy fast.
- Let baked cinnamon rolls cool slightly first. Warm is fine, hot is not. Hot rolls may fall apart.
- Use stale bread if possible. Day-old bread holds up beautifully.
- Serve immediately. French toast is always best fresh off the skillet.
Easy Home Kitchen Shortcuts
Want to make this even easier? I get it. Some mornings call for a shortcut or two.
- Use store-bought cinnamon swirl bread instead of cinnamon rolls for less prep.
- Mix the custard the night before and store it covered in the fridge.
- Keep cooked French toast warm on a sheet pan in a 200°F oven while finishing the batch.
- Use a hand mixer for the glaze if you want it extra fluffy and smooth.
Casserole idea: You can also turn this into a baked casserole. Cut baked cinnamon rolls or cinnamon bread into chunks, place in a greased baking dish, pour the custard over the top, and bake at 350°F until set in the center, about 30 to 40 minutes. Then drizzle with glaze before serving. This is a great option for holiday mornings.
Allergy-Friendly and Diet Preference Swaps
One thing that sets a great home recipe apart is flexibility. If someone at your table has food allergies or a special diet, here are simple ways to adapt this copycat cinnamon roll French toast recipe.
Gluten-free:
- Use your favorite gluten-free cinnamon swirl bread or gluten-free sweet rolls.
- Choose a gluten-free refrigerated cinnamon roll brand if available in your area.
- Check powdered sugar, vanilla, and toppings to make sure they are certified gluten-free if needed.
Dairy-free:
- Swap the half-and-half and milk for unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or full-fat canned coconut milk thinned slightly with water.
- Use dairy-free butter in the pan and glaze.
- Use dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting drizzle.
Egg-free:
- Use a liquid egg replacer meant for French toast, if available.
- Another option is to whisk together 1 cup plant milk, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and the spices to create a quick egg-free soaking mixture.
- The texture will be a little different, but still tasty.
Vegan:
- Use vegan cinnamon rolls or vegan cinnamon bread.
- Make the custard with plant milk and an egg replacer or cornstarch mixture.
- Use vegan butter and vegan cream cheese for the glaze.
Lower sugar:
- Use cinnamon bread instead of fully iced cinnamon rolls.
- Reduce or skip the sugar in the custard.
- Drizzle lightly with glaze instead of pouring it on heavily.
- Top with fruit for natural sweetness.
Nut-free:
- Skip pecans and always check labels on packaged cinnamon rolls and dairy-free products.
- Sunflower butter drizzle can be a fun topping if nut allergies are a concern.
Paleo-inspired:
- This dish is tough to make truly paleo because traditional cinnamon rolls and bread are grain-based.
- For a paleo-inspired version, use a grain-free loaf or sweet paleo bread, soak it in a custard made with eggs and coconut milk, and top with a simple glaze made from coconut butter and a small amount of maple syrup.
- It won’t taste exactly like the original brunch version, but it can still satisfy that cinnamon-spice craving.
What to Serve with Cinnamon Roll French Toast
This dish is rich and sweet, so it pairs well with simple savory sides.
- Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage
- Scrambled eggs
- Fresh fruit salad
- Hash browns
- Hot coffee or cold brew
A little salty balance goes a long way here. It’s like giving your brunch plate better harmony.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat, in the microwave in short bursts, or in a 300°F oven until heated through.
Freezer: You can freeze the cooked French toast without glaze for up to 1 month. Wrap pieces well and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Food safety reminder: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat leftovers to 165°F before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned cinnamon rolls for French toast?
Yes. Bake them first, cool slightly, then slice and dip gently in the custard. They’re soft, so handle them carefully.
What bread works best for cinnamon roll French toast?
Cinnamon swirl bread, brioche, challah, or Texas toast all work well. Thick-cut slices give the best texture.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prep the glaze and custard ahead of time. For the best texture, cook the French toast just before serving.
Is this the real Another Broken Egg Cafe recipe?
No. This is a homemade copycat recipe inspired by the flavors and style of the restaurant dish.
Final Thoughts
This copycat Another Broken Egg Cafe Cinnamon Roll French Toast recipe is one of those dishes that feels a little extra special without being hard to pull off. It’s warm, sweet, cinnamon-packed, and perfect for brunch at home. Whether you make it for a birthday breakfast, a holiday table, or just because it sounds good on a Saturday, it’s the kind of recipe that gets people to the kitchen fast.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you use cinnamon rolls or cinnamon bread? Did you add berries, pecans, or syrup? Leave a comment and share your twist. And if you know someone who loves brunch recipes, send this their way.
Disclaimer
This is a copycat recipe inspired by a popular restaurant-style dish from Another Broken Egg Cafe. It is not the restaurant’s actual recipe, and no knowledge of the original proprietary recipe is implied or claimed.
Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. This means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links, at no extra cost to you.
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