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Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll Casserole - recipe card

This indulgent breakfast casserole transforms cinnamon rolls into a warm, gooey, and utterly comforting dish. Soft and pillowy pieces are baked in a rich, sweet custard until golden, then topped with a classic cream cheese glaze that melts into every nook and cranny. It’s like a giant, shareable cinnamon roll for a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 12.4-ounce tubes of refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing), e.g., Pillsbury Grands! – reserve the icing for glaze
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • For the cream cheese glaze: 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick), softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray, ensuring the sides are fully coated to prevent sticking.
  2. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut each cinnamon roll into quarters (if using Grands! Supreme rolls, set aside the included cream cheese icing to mix with the glaze mixture). Evenly distribute all the roll pieces in the prepared dish, arranging them in a mostly even layer, though a few overlapping pieces are fine.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is frothy and uniform.
  4. Pour the custard mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces, making sure every piece gets coated. Gently press down on the rolls with a spatula to help absorb the liquid, and let the casserole sit for 10 minutes at room temperature to soak—this ensures a soft, custardy interior.
  5. Bake the casserole for 25 minutes, uncovered, or until the top is golden brown and puffed. The center should be set yet still slightly jiggly; a knife inserted near the middle should come out mostly clean. If the rolls begin to darken too quickly, lightly tent with foil.
  6. While the casserole bakes, prepare the cream cheese glaze: in a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  7. Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase to medium-high and beat for 1-2 minutes until the glaze is light, fluffy, and spreadable. If it’s too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
  8. When the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes—this lets the custard settle and makes serving cleaner.
  9. Dollop the cream cheese glaze evenly over the warm casserole (it will melt slightly as it spreads). Alternatively, you can drizzle it with a spoon, but dolloping gives you that pockets of glaze effect.
  10. Serve warm, scooping out generous portions. The glaze will be lusciously shiny over the soft, sticky rolls. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave at 70% power for 45-60 seconds until warmed through. For a crispier top when reheating, place in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. Freezing: The baked casserole freezes well for up to 2 months; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes. The glaze is best added fresh, so freeze the casserole without it and make the glaze right before serving. Prep-ahead: You can assemble the casserole (without baking) the night before, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator. The next day, add 10 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting from cold.

Nutrition

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