Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake with Berries Recipe
This Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake is a delightful and easy breakfast casserole featuring sweet, fluffy Hawaiian rolls soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, and vanilla, topped with a medley of fresh or frozen berries. Perfect for make-ahead breakfasts or brunches, it bakes to a golden brown and offers a luscious, fruity twist on classic French toast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes (including refrigeration time)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 package Hawaiian Rolls (about 8 cups cubed)
Custard Mixture
- 5 whole eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk (or reduced fat milk)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Fruits
- 3/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 3/4 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen, sliced or diced)
- 3/4 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
Toppings
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Maple syrup for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Bread: Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole pan. Cut the Hawaiian rolls into cubes to make about 8 cups total. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the greased pan.
- Mix the Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, optional maple syrup, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Bread and Custard: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring all the pieces are well soaked. Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak thoroughly.
- Preheat and Add Fruit: Remove the covered pan from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the French toast bake and sprinkle the blueberries, sliced strawberries, and raspberries evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set — the center should be firm and not jiggly.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the French toast bake to rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. Dust the top with powdered sugar if desired and serve with a drizzle of warm maple syrup for extra sweetness.
Notes
- You can use frozen berries; just make sure to scatter them over the top while still frozen to avoid sogginess.
- Letting the casserole soak overnight yields the best texture and flavor infusion.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with reduced-fat or plant-based milk alternatives.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
- Make sure to bake until the French toast is firm to avoid undercooked eggs.
