Pumpkin Spice Hawaiian Roll French Toast

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Jumping into cozy Fall recipes with this Pumpkin Spice Hawaiian Roll French Toast. Cut up Hawaiian Rolls, dunk into a classic French toast mixture, then toss in pumpkin spice sugar. Served warm with a generous drizzle of maple syrup, this is the ultimate way to start a chilly day!

This is a fabulous brunch that takes no real prep and comes together in minutes. Start by whisking up the egg, milk and vanilla mixture, dip your pieces and fry. Keep them warm in the oven until serving and this is such an easy recipe to double or triple to feed a crowd. If you know you’re making this in advance and your bread is still fresh, put individual slices out on your kitchen counter for a few hours to encourage it to stale (it feels crazy to want stale bread, but it gives much better results). 

Feel free to serve these with any sort of dips or sauces. Maple syrup, Nutella, Caramel, powdered sugar, the possibilities are just like pancakes – endless. These are a really cute brunch snack, but could totally be thrown into kids lunchboxes or wrapped up for daytime snacks!

INGREDIENTS REQUIRED 

There are no specialist ingredients or equipment required for this bake. I can find everything I need at my local supermarket or grocery store. I use a crepe pan or any standard frying pan, you don’t need any specialist equipment! Use a hand whisk to combine the milk and eggs. I like using tongs to flip the sticks while they are in the pan, but use whatever works best for you.

• Large Free Range Eggs
• Whole Milk
• Vanilla Extract
• Pumpkin Spice Mix
• Granulated Sugar
• Hawaiian Rolls

Why use Hawaiian Rolls instead of bread?

Using Hawaiian rolls for French toast offers several benefits over regular bread:

1. Sweetness: The natural sweetness of Hawaiian rolls enhances the flavor of the French toast, creating a delightful contrast with savory toppings like bacon or eggs.
2. Texture: Their soft, pillowy texture makes for a wonderfully fluffy French toast that’s easy to soak and cooks evenly.
3. Moisture: Hawaiian rolls tend to stay moist even after cooking, reducing the risk of a dry or overcooked outcome.
4. Unique Flavor: The slight buttery and tropical flavor of Hawaiian rolls adds a unique twist, making your French toast stand out.
5. Versatility: Their sweetness pairs well with both sweet and savory toppings, allowing for creative variations in your breakfast.
6. Portion Size: Individual rolls are great for portion control, allowing you to make small servings for a brunch or gathering.

Using Hawaiian rolls can elevate your French toast experience in a fun and delicious way!

A brief history of French Toast

1. Ancient Origins: The concept of soaking bread in a mixture of milk and eggs dates back to ancient times. The Romans had a similar dish called “aliter dulcia.”
2. Medieval Europe: The term “French toast” is believed to have originated in the 17th century. It was a practical way to use stale bread, ensuring no food went to waste.
3. Name Variations: The dish has various names around the world:

• In France, it’s called “pain perdu” (lost bread).
• In Spain, it’s known as “torrijas.”
• In Italy, it’s “french toast” (often called “fette biscottate”).

1. Popularization: French toast gained popularity in the United States in the 19th century, becoming a common breakfast dish.
2. Modern Variations: Today, there are countless variations of French toast, including different types of bread (like brioche or challah), flavor additions (like cinnamon or vanilla), and toppings (like fruit, syrup, or whipped cream).
3. Culinary Influence: French toast continues to be embraced globally, with regional adaptations showcasing local ingredients and flavors.
4. Cultural Significance: In many cultures, it’s a popular dish for brunch and special occasions, often associated with comfort food.

French toast has a rich and varied history that reflects culinary creativity across cultures.

TOP TIPS FOR THE BEST Pumpkin Spice Hawaiian Roll French Toast

• Bread: Use stale bread for the bites to avoid getting too soggy. Fresh bread will still be delicious, but won’t hold its shape as well. You can absolutely make these with fresh rolls right out of the bag (I usually do), but if you know you’re making these in advance, leave the bread out on the counter until ready to make. This makes the center stay bread-like rather than going mushy.
• Eggs: Really whisk the large eggs with the milk until frothy. You want everything to be really well incorporated.
• Dipping: When dunking the bread into the egg mixture, only dunk it for a second or two. Just long enough that the bread is covered but not entirely soaked through the middle. This prevents soggy French toast! 
• Frying: Fry for about a minute on each side on a medium heat. Brush the pan with a little butter before adding the French toast for those perfect bronze edges. 
• Pumpkin Spice Sugar: Have this ready to go before you start frying the French toast. The spiced sugar mix will stick better when the sticks are still warm.
• Homemade Spice Mix: In the recipe, I show you how to make your own pumpkin spice, but feel free to use a pre-made blend if you prefer.
• Serving: Serve warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, Nutella or really anything else you like! 

For myPumpkin Spice Hawaiian Roll French Toast, I use a standard frying pan or crepe pan. If you want more fun brunch recipe ideas, check out my Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes. For videos and baking inspiration, head on over to my Instagram. If you make this recipe, don’t forget to drop it a star rating, leave a review or share a photo on your socials! 

MAKE AHEAD AND STORAGE

These are absolutely best to be made and eaten in the moment, without too much standing time. You could absolutely make the milk/egg mixture beforehand and let chill in the refrigerator. However, this stage only takes a minute, so you may not be saving much time! 

Like above, I wouldn’t recommend making these for storing. They are best eaten just after making them, but they would be awesome in school lunch boxes if you make them in the morning!