IHOP Cinnamon Roll French Toast Copycat Recipe (Breakfast Indulgence)
These disappeared from our brunch table in minutes! Thick, custardy French toast with gooey cinnamon roll filling and cream cheese glaze drizzled on top.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- Brioche bread (thick-sliced) 8 slices
- Eggs 4 large
- Whole milk 1 cup
- Heavy cream 1 4 cup
- Vanilla extract 1 tsp
- Unsalted butter 4 tbsp
- Cream cheese (softened) 4 oz
- Powdered sugar 1 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
- Brown sugar (packed) 6 tbsp
- Ground cinnamon 2 tsp
- Unsalted butter (for cinnamon filling) 2 tbsp
- Salt 0.25 tsp
- Milk (for glaze) 2 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
81 g
50%
Protein
14 g
9%
Fat
28 g
41%
Cooking steps
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1
Make the cinnamon roll filling: In a small bowl, combine 6 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp melted butter. Mix until a thick paste forms. Reserve.
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2
Prepare the custard: Whisk together 4 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp salt in a shallow dish until fully blended. IHOP short-order tip: Whisk thoroughly to ensure a homogenous custard, which gives you that classic creamy texture.
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3
Slice and fill the bread: Use 8 thick-cut brioche slices. For each French toast, make a deep pocket in 4 slices with a paring knife and fill each with about 1 heaping tbsp cinnamon filling, then top with the remaining 4 slices to make sandwiches.
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4
Dip and griddle: Preheat a nonstick griddle or large skillet to 350°F (medium heat) and brush with 2 tbsp butter. Briefly dip each filled sandwich into the custard on both sides, letting excess drip off, then place directly onto the hot griddle. IHOP technique: The griddle should sizzle gently—a dancing water drop signals the perfect temp.
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5
Cook: Grill each side for 3-4 minutes until deep golden brown and slightly puffed. Rotate as needed for even color. Remove from heat and keep warm.
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6
Make the cream cheese glaze: In a bowl, whisk together 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 2 tbsp milk until smooth and drizzling consistency.
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7
Serve: Place Cinnamon Roll French Toast sandwiches on plates, drizzle generously with cream cheese glaze, add extra cinnamon sugar if desired, and serve immediately for that signature IHOP indulgence.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this actually taste like IHOP's Cinnamon Roll French Toast?
Absolutely! This recipe uses thick brioche, a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and a sweet cream cheese glaze, just like IHOP. Griddling at the recommended temperature gives you that golden outside and custardy inside IHOP is famous for.
Q. Do I need special equipment for this recipe?
No restaurant griddle required—a home nonstick skillet or electric griddle works perfectly. Just preheat to medium (about 350°F) and brush with butter before frying each sandwich as described in the recipe steps.
Q. Can I make this gluten-free or dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the brioche for your favorite gluten-free bread, and use plant-based milk and dairy-free butter and cream cheese. The filling and glaze will still deliver that gooey cinnamon roll experience.
Q. How many calories and grams of carbs are in one serving?
Each serving has approximately 650 calories, 81g of carbs, 14g of protein, and 28g of fat, closely matching the IHOP restaurant serving size.
Q. How much cheaper is this than ordering at IHOP?
Making this at home averages under $2 per serving, while ordering from IHOP can be $10 or more per plate. Homemade means big savings and you can control the ingredients!
