Description
Delight in a tropical twist on classic French toast with this Hawaiian Roll French Toast recipe. Soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls are soaked in a rich custard infused with warm spices and vanilla, then pan-fried to golden perfection. Served with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, fresh berries, and whipped cream, this easy breakfast or brunch dish combines fluffy texture and island-inspired sweetness for a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
French Toast Custard:
- 1 package (12 count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
For Cooking:
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
Optional Toppings:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Whipped cream
- Chopped nuts
- Coconut flakes
Instructions
- Whisk Together the Custard: In a large bowl, crack all 6 eggs. Add the milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until smooth and the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Prepare the Hawaiian Rolls: Gently separate the Hawaiian rolls. You can either keep them attached as a whole slab for an impressive presentation or separate them into individual rolls. If keeping as a slab, carefully slice it horizontally without cutting through the bottom half to create a pocket for soaking.
- Soak the Rolls: For the slab, immerse both top and bottom halves in the custard for 2-3 minutes per side. For individual rolls, dip each one ensuring full coverage, letting soak 1-2 minutes per side.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Allow it to melt completely, ensuring the surface is evenly coated.
- Cook the French Toast: Transfer the soaked Hawaiian rolls to the skillet. Cook slab or individual rolls for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Repeat with Remaining Rolls: Add more butter as needed and cook the rest of the soaked rolls in batches without overcrowding the pan.
- Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the French toast. If it comes out clean, the toast is fully cooked. If wet batter remains, cook a bit longer.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the French toast warm for the best texture and flavor, as it tends to become soggy when left out too long.
- Add Toppings: Garnish with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, whipped cream, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes to add texture and sweetness.
Notes
- For extra richness, use whole milk and heavy cream as specified.
- If you prefer a simpler approach, use individual Hawaiian rolls without slicing.
- Be careful not to soak the rolls too long to avoid sogginess during cooking.
- Adjust cooking time based on stove heat and thickness of the rolls.
- This recipe is best enjoyed fresh but can be kept warm in a low oven for short periods.
- Customize toppings to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American, Hawaiian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Hawaiian roll French toast, sweet breakfast, tropical French toast, easy brunch recipe, custard-soaked toast
