Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll Ups turn simple slices of sandwich bread into a warm breakfast filled with creamy cheese and fresh strawberries. Each slice is flattened, filled, rolled, dipped in a cinnamon-vanilla egg mixture, and cooked in butter until golden.
I like adding a little fresh lemon zest to the cream cheese. It brightens the strawberry flavor without making the filling wetter, and you get a subtle citrus note alongside the sweet berries, vanilla, and cinnamon.
These roll ups are a fun choice for breakfast or brunch, especially served warm from the skillet. The outside is golden and buttery, while the center stays soft and creamy with little pieces of strawberry in every bite.
What Makes These French Toast Roll Ups So Good
These roll ups are a fun change from regular French toast, with a creamy fruit filling tucked inside each golden piece.
- Creamy strawberry center: Soft cream cheese and fresh strawberries give every roll a sweet, fruity filling.
- A hint of fresh lemon: Lemon zest adds a light citrus flavor that pairs naturally with the strawberries.
- Golden and buttery: Cooking the roll ups in butter gives the outside a nicely browned finish.
- Easy to serve: Their rolled shape makes them simple to pick up, dip, and enjoy.
- Great for breakfast or brunch: Serve them on a relaxed morning or add them to a larger brunch spread.
Ingredients for Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll Ups
Fresh, soft bread makes these roll ups much easier to flatten and fill, while ripe strawberries and softened cream cheese give you the best texture in the center.
Bread and Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling
- White sandwich bread: Fresh, soft bread is easy to flatten and flexible enough to roll without cracking.
- Cream cheese: Let it soften to room temperature so it spreads easily over the flattened bread without tearing it.
- Fresh strawberries: Finely diced strawberries fit inside the rolls more easily than larger pieces and give you berry flavor throughout the filling.
- Lemon zest: I mix a little into the cream cheese for a fresh citrus note that complements the strawberries without adding extra liquid.
French Toast Mixture
- Eggs: They form the base of the mixture that coats the outside of each roll up before cooking.
- Milk: A small amount loosens the egg mixture so it coats the bread more evenly.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice to the French toast coating.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a sweet vanilla aroma that works especially well with the strawberries and cream cheese.
- Unsalted butter: Used in the skillet to give the roll ups a buttery, golden exterior as they cook.
Step-by-Step Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll Ups
Flatten and Fill the Bread
Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice of bread, then trim away the crusts with a sharp knife.
Stir the lemon zest into the softened cream cheese, then spread the mixture over each piece of bread. Add a small amount of finely diced strawberries, keeping the filling away from the edges so it doesn’t spill out as you roll. Starting at one end, roll the bread up tightly.
Dip the Roll Ups
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until well combined.
Quickly dip each roll up into the egg mixture, turning to coat the bread evenly on every side. Lift it out and let the extra mixture drip back into the bowl so the bread doesn’t become overly soaked.
Cook Until Golden
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the roll ups in the pan seam-side down first, which helps them stay closed as they begin to cook.
Turn the roll ups as they cook until the bread is golden brown on all sides and the egg coating no longer looks wet. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook them in batches.
Tips for Perfect French Toast Roll Ups
- Use fresh, soft bread. Bread that is dry or stale is more likely to crack when you flatten and roll it.
- Keep an eye on the skillet heat. If the outside is browning too quickly while the egg coating still looks wet, lower the heat slightly and give the roll ups more time to cook.
- Cook in batches if needed. Leave enough room in the skillet to turn each roll up easily and brown all sides evenly.
- Serve them warm. I think they’re best soon after cooking, while the outside is golden and the strawberry cream cheese center is still warm.
Filling Variations
Once you have the basic strawberry and cream cheese version down, you can change the filling while keeping the same roll-up method.
- Other berries: Try finely chopped raspberries or blueberries in place of the strawberries, or combine a small amount with strawberries for a mixed-berry filling. Keep the pieces small so the bread is still easy to roll.
- Strawberry preserves: A thin layer of strawberry preserves can add more concentrated berry flavor. Use it sparingly so the filling doesn’t become too wet.
- Chocolate-hazelnut spread: Swap the cream cheese for a thin layer of chocolate-hazelnut spread for a richer variation.
When using a wetter alternative filling, keep the layer thin so it’s less likely to escape from the ends during cooking.
Serving Ideas for French Toast Roll Ups
These sweet roll ups don’t need much alongside them, but a few simple additions work well for breakfast or brunch.
- Maple syrup: Offer it on the side for dipping, or lightly drizzle it over the roll ups while they’re warm.
- Fresh berries: Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries add a fresh, juicy contrast to the creamy filling.
- Powdered sugar: A light dusting adds a little extra sweetness without covering up the strawberry flavor.
- Whipped cream: Add a small spoonful on the side for a more dessert-like breakfast.
- Savory breakfast sides: Scrambled eggs or breakfast sausage can balance the sweetness when you’re serving the roll ups as part of a larger meal.
Storage and Reheating
How to Store Leftovers
Let the French toast roll ups cool briefly, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The bread will soften during storage, especially around the strawberry and cream cheese filling.
For longer storage, place the roll ups in an airtight, freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that the bread may have a softer texture after thawing.
How to Reheat French Toast Roll Ups
Reheat the roll ups gently until they are hot throughout, including the cream cheese center, and reach 165°F. Avoid excessive heat, which can brown the outside before the filling is fully warmed.
More Breakfast Recipes to Try
Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll Ups
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
- Flatten each slice of bread with a rolling pin, then trim off the crusts.
- Stir the lemon zest into the softened cream cheese. Spread the cream cheese mixture over each flattened bread slice and add a small amount of finely diced strawberries, keeping the filling away from the edges.
- Starting at one end, roll each piece of bread tightly.
- Dip each roll up briefly into the egg mixture, turning to coat all sides. Let the excess mixture drip back into the bowl.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the roll ups seam-side down first in the skillet. Turn them as they cook until golden brown on all sides and the egg coating no longer looks wet.
- Transfer to a plate and serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh, soft sandwich bread so it flattens and rolls without cracking.
- Avoid overfilling the bread, which can cause the cream cheese and strawberries to escape during cooking.
- If the bread browns too quickly before the egg coating is cooked, reduce the heat slightly.
- Cook in batches if necessary so there is enough room to turn the roll ups.
