This Hawaiian Roll French Toast Casserole with Raspberries and Cardamom is an irresistible combination of soft, custardy Hawaiian rolls infused with fragrant cardamom and fresh raspberries, all topped with a sweet, crunchy almond crust. The warm aroma and irresistible flavor will transform your morning into something truly special!
If you love Hawaiian rolls, then you will love the Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls and the easy hot cross buns made with it!
This is the best ever French toast casserole recipe! It features tender, custard-soaked sweet Hawaiian rolls infused with fragrant cardamom, while the raspberries baked into the casserole add a fruity, tart contrast in both flavor and color. It's similar to our eggnog croissant bread pudding made using cranberries!
The crisp, crunchy almond topping creates the perfect balance of textures in every bite!
Perfect for Mother's day brunch, Christmas breakfast and brunch, weekend mornings, or any occasion that deserves something special, this casserole is as simple to make as it is impressive.
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Why Our Recipe
- Irresistible combination of sweet and tart flavors, creamy texture, and a crunchy topping!
- Made using soft and fluffy Hawaiin rolls, cardamom and raspberry.
- Assemble overnight and bake it the next morning!
- Both kids and adults will devour it!
- Easy for a busy morning.
- Perfect for brunch or weekend indulgence!
Ingredients you'll need
- Bread: Use one package of 12 King's Hawaiian sweet rolls for the best results. See the notes below for alternative bread substitutions.
- Raspberries: You'll need fresh raspberries for this recipe, but chopped strawberries can be used as a substitute. However, I personally love the sweet-tart flavor of raspberries paired with ground cardamom, as in the mango and raspberry clafoutis.
- Cardamom: You will need about 4 teaspoons of ground cardamom powder for both the casserole and the topping. Love the flavor and aroma of cardamom? Check out our round-up of cardamom recipes.
- Eggs: Essential for the custard base, providing structure and richness.
- Dairy: For a rich and creamy texture, use a combination of milk and heavy cream. However, you can substitute with 2 ½ cups of whole milk and skip the heavy cream if preferred.
- Almonds: As in the pumpkin croissants, sliced almonds provide a delicate crunch, creating a delightful contrast in texture to the soft, creamy pudding.
How to serve?
This Hawaiian roll French toast casserole is a treat on its own, with just the right amount of sweetness, a burst of tart raspberries, and a crispy almond topping, all enhanced by the warm flavor of cardamom. It's so flavorful, you won’t even need maple syrup!
If you are serving it for a special breakfast or brunch, try pairing it with the slow cooker hot chocolate or the chocolate waffles!
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Recipe tips
- Let the casserole sit for at least 10 minutes after baking for the custard to set properly.
- Whisk the egg mixture thoroughly to avoid lumps.
- Cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly. Make sure not to overbake.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat single servings in the microwave in 30 second increments until warmed through.
- Make sure to let the Hawaiian rolls soak the egg mixture for a soft custardy center. If the mixture doesn’t have time to soak into the bread it may end up creating a soggy mess.
Frequently asked questions
While I prefer the soft, fluffy sweet rolls for a creamy, pudding-like texture in the Hawaiian roll French toast casserole, you can use other types of bread if desired. Brioche, challah, or soft Italian or French bread are all great options. It should be slightly stale and dry so it soaks up the custard without becoming soggy.
Yes, you can assemble the raspberry French toast casserole (minus the raspberry and topping) the night before and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. The next morning, add the raspberries and the almond sugar topping and bake as directed. I love doing this as an easy Easter or Christmas morning breakfast!
Sure! You can skip the almonds to make it nut free! To make a topping without nuts, mix ¼ cup all purpose flour, 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cardamom together. Cut 4 tablespoons of butter into this mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle and bake!
The top should be golden brown, and the center should be firm without being too jiggly. To check, insert a toothpick into the center, just like you would with a cake, and ensure it comes out clean.
Vanilla extract, almond extract, ground cinnamon, or even lemon zest make delicious substitutes for cardamom.
More brunch recipes
Hawaiian Roll French Toast Casserole with Raspberries and Cardamom
Ingredients
Casserole
- 1 package King's Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls 12 rolls
- 1 ½ cups raspberries
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom powder
- 4 tablespoons butter at room temperature
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
- Separate the 12 rolls and slice each in half. Set aside.
- Add the eggs, milk, cream, ¾ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons ground caradmom and salt into the baking pan. Whisk gently well until well combined to avoid lumps.
- Place the sliced rolls, cut side down, into the custard in an even layer, gently pressing them down to help the bread absorb the custard. 👉 Be sure to place the cut side down in the custard to help the rolls soak up the mixture.
- Let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes, or cover the pan and refrigerate overnight to bake the next morning.
- For the topping, mix the sliced almonds, ¼ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cardamom together in a seperate bowl. Add the softened butter and mix until combined.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F before baking.
- Add the fresh raspberries evenly, pushing them into the casserole and sprinkle the prepared topping evenly over it.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until puffed and golden. Tip: If you have removed the casserole from the fridge, then let it come to room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before baking.
- Remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to firm up slightly. Then, serve hot!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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