Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole

This cinnamon roll casserole is the easiest way to bring a little magic to your morning! With just a few simple ingredients like frozen bread dough and vanilla pudding mix, you’ll have a warm, gooey treat without all the fuss!

It’s quick to throw together, easy to clean up, and guaranteed to make everyone smile!

Ingredients you’ll need

This is just an overview of the ingredients needed – scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for exact quantities and instructions.

Ingredient notes

• Frozen bread dough: Rhodes white bread dough works great, but any brand of frozen bread dough will do. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
• Vanilla pudding mix: Use cook-and-serve pudding, not instant, for the creamy texture. Avoid sugar-free varieties as they may not set properly.
• Cinnamon sugar mixture: Adjust the cinnamon to your taste—use more for a stronger flavor or less if you prefer it milder.
• Milk: Any type of milk works, including non-dairy options like almond or oat milk.
• Salted butter: Unsalted butter is fine, but add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
• Powdered sugar: For the frosting, sift it beforehand to avoid lumps.

How to make a cinnamon roll casserole

Let’s make this cinnamon roll casserole together—it’s so simple and fun, you’ll want to bake it again and again!

Step 1: Prep your pan and cinnamon sugar mixture
First things first, grab your 9×13 baking dish and spray it with nonstick spray or grease it with butter. This keeps all that sugary goodness from sticking to the pan later. Set it aside so it’s ready for the dough.

In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Give it a good stir until the cinnamon is evenly spread through the sugar. This is going to coat our dough pieces and add that signature cinnamon roll flavor!

Step 2: Cut and coat the first loaf
Take your first loaf of thawed bread dough and cut it into 1-2” pieces. (Tip: Using clean scissors makes this super quick and easy!)

Toss 3-4 pieces at a time into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll them around until they’re completely coated, then place them in your prepared pan. Keep going until the whole loaf is done and spread out in the pan.

Step 4: Add the Pudding Mixture
Now it’s time for the secret ingredient! In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons milk, and the package of cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix. Stir it all together until smooth.

Then pour this sweet, creamy mixture evenly over the dough pieces in the pan.

Step 5: Repeat with the Second Loaf
Grab your second loaf of dough and repeat the cutting, coating, and layering process. Place the cinnamon sugar-coated pieces right on top of the pudding layer. Don’t worry if it looks a little uneven—everything bakes up beautifully in the end!

Step 6: Let It Rise
Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and leave it in a warm spot for 3-4 hours, or until the dough rises to the top of the pan. This step takes a little patience, but it’s worth it.

Step 7: Bake It
When your dough is puffed up and ready to go, preheat your oven to 350°F. Cover the pan loosely with foil to keep the top from over-browning while the center bakes. Pop it in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. If you like a golden-brown top, remove the foil for the last 3 minutes of baking.

Step 8: Cool and Frost
Once baked, take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. While it cools, whip up your frosting by mixing the powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and milk in a bowl. Adjust the thickness with more powdered sugar (for a thicker frosting) or milk (for a thinner drizzle).

Spread the frosting over the warm casserole and watch it melt into all the nooks and crannies.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Grab a plate, slice up a big piece, and dig in! Whether you’re sharing it with family or keeping it all to yourself, this cinnamon roll casserole is guaranteed to be a hit. Enjoy!

Helpful recipe hints

Recipe variations

• Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between the dough layers for extra crunch.
• Make it fruity: Add raisins, dried cranberries, or even small apple chunks for a fruity twist.
• Switch up the frosting: Swap vanilla for cream cheese frosting for a tangy, rich finish.

Storage and make-ahead options

Make ahead

You can make this Cinnamon Roll Casserole ahead of time, here are two different options:

• Overnight Prep: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover loosely with saran wrap, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
  
  In the morning, pull the pan out to raise the rest of the way, which could be around 2 hours (The rise time is lower because it will slightly rise from sitting in the refrigerator overnight).
  
  Once it has risen close to the height of the casserole dish, loosely cover with foil and bake according to directions.
  
• Bake ahead: If you do not have time to let it rise in the morning, you can bake the entire casserole the day before. Frost, then cool completely. Cover with foil and refrigerate. To serve, cut individual pieces and microwave for a few seconds to warm—it’ll taste just as fresh as if it came out of the oven!

Storing leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, here’s how to keep them fresh:

• Refrigerator: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container or cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 15-20 seconds (no foil!), or cover the dish with foil and reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze individual pieces in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat as mentioned above for a quick treat later!

Serving ideas

This cinnamon roll casserole is perfect for any occasion! Serve it warm with a side of fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream for a breakfast or brunch treat.

Pair it with coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk to round out the flavors. For a special touch, drizzle a little caramel sauce or maple syrup on top before serving!

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