Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole (Easy Christmas Morning)

Overnight cinnamon roll casserole is the easiest Christmas morning breakfast there is. Canned cinnamon rolls, a sweet custard and a warm vanilla glaze bake into a gooey, golden casserole while the coffee brews — and you do all the work the night before.

Assemble it in 15 minutes, pop it in the fridge overnight, and bake it in the morning. It is the kind of breakfast that makes a holiday feel like a holiday, with almost no effort at all.

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole

• Assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning — no early alarm needed.
• Gooey, golden and covered in warm vanilla glaze, straight from the oven.
• Uses canned cinnamon rolls, so it comes together in 15 minutes.
• Feeds 8, which makes it perfect for Christmas morning or a lazy weekend.
• A holiday breakfast that feels special without any fuss at all.

Key Ingredients

• Refrigerated cinnamon rolls, 2 cans (12.4 ounces / 350 g each), quartered — The base of the casserole. Use the kind with icing included. Swap: homemade cinnamon roll dough, cut into pieces.
• Eggs, 4 large — Make the custard that holds the casserole together. Swap: 1 cup of egg substitute.
• Whole milk, 1/2 cup (120 ml) — Thins the custard so it soaks into the rolls. Swap: half-and-half for a richer custard.
• Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon — Warm flavor in the custard. Swap: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.
• Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon — Doubles down on the cinnamon flavor. Swap: pumpkin pie spice.
• Brown sugar, 2 tablespoons (25 g) — A little sweetness in the custard. Swap: granulated sugar or maple syrup.
• Icing from the cinnamon roll cans — Warmed and drizzled over the top to finish. Swap: a simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk.

How to Make Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole

1. Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Quarter the cinnamon rolls and spread them in the dish in an even layer.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and brown sugar together in a bowl until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the rolls.
3. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours, so the rolls soak up the custard.
4. In the morning, heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until puffed and golden and the center is set.
5. Warm the icing from the cans for a few seconds in the microwave and drizzle it over the warm casserole. Serve right away.

Success Tips

• Quarter the rolls evenly so they bake at the same rate. Big pieces stay doughy in the middle.
• Let the casserole soak overnight if you can. Four hours works, but overnight gives the best texture.
• Bake until the center is set and no longer jiggly. The edges will puff and turn golden first.
• Warm the icing before drizzling so it flows over the casserole instead of sitting in a clump.

Variations

• Apple cinnamon: Fold 1 cup of diced apple into the rolls before pouring over the custard.
• Pecan crunch: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped pecans over the top before baking.
• Cream cheese glaze: Beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with the icing for a tangier topping.
• Berry version: Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the rolls for a fruity twist.

Storage, Make-Ahead and Freezing

• Make-ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate. Bake in the morning as directed.
• Leftovers: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm the whole dish covered at 325°F (165°C).
• Freezing: Freeze baked portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat until warm.

FAQ

Can I make cinnamon roll casserole the night before?

Yes — that is the whole idea. Assemble it, cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake it in the morning. It needs at least 4 hours in the fridge to soak properly.

Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough?

Yes. Cut the dough into pieces and use it the same way. You will need about the same amount as two cans of rolls.

Why is my casserole soggy in the middle?

It probably needed a few more minutes in the oven, or the rolls were cut too big. Bake until the center is set and no longer jiggly, and quarter the rolls evenly.

What do I serve with cinnamon roll casserole?

It is a full breakfast on its own, but fresh fruit, bacon or sausage and coffee make it a complete holiday spread.

In Short

• Canned cinnamon rolls soaked in a sweet custard, baked golden overnight.
• Assemble in 15 minutes the night before, bake in the morning.
• Warm vanilla glaze over a gooey, puffed casserole.
• Feeds 8 — the easiest Christmas morning breakfast there is.

Have you made this recipe? Leave a comment and a star rating below — I would love to hear how it turned out for you.