We all deserve a morning treat that feels like an event, right? Forget fussy plating! I created these Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups because I wanted that contrast—creamy, fruity, golden, crisp—available anytime. This recipe actually started when I was shooting a brunch spread in my California kitchen and kept obsessing over the color of fresh blueberries melting into cream cheese. It reminded me of a refined pastry I used to serve, but trust me, these are so much easier for home cooks! The moment the batter hit the pan and the cinnamon smell filled the air, I knew this simple concept was art in handheld form.
By Ethan Miller – Chef & Food Photographer
Why You Will Love These Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
This isn’t just another breakfast; it’s genuinely designed for maximum happiness with minimal fuss. Seriously, these breakfast ideas are winners every single time I make them.
- They are totally handheld! That means no messy syrup pouring at the table for little ones. This is stuffed French toast you can grab and eat, which is just fun.
- That contrast is everything. You get the sweet tang of the blueberry and cream cheese filling cutting through the warm, golden, slightly crisp exterior. It’s textural heaven.
- They look way more complicated than they are. If you’re trying to impress someone at brunch, these roll-ups look like they took hours of intricate pastry work, but they come together in under 30 minutes, honest!
- Picky eaters tend to love these because the creamy part is hidden inside, and the outside is sweet and familiar French toast. It’s camouflage for flavor.
- The syrup is super simple, but warming those extra blueberries into the maple just makes the whole kitchen smell like a fancy weekend brunch spot.
- You control the crispness. You can cook them lightly golden for maximum softness or brown them up well for that extra satisfying crunch. It’s entirely up to you!
Essential Ingredients for Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
Okay, let’s talk about what you need. The beauty of these roll-ups is that they use what I call “pantry heroes”—things you probably already have—but we’re putting them together in a way that feels designer. I always measure everything out first; it makes assembly move so quickly you won’t miss a thing. Don’t stress if you don’t have the exact recipe amounts; this is meant to be fun and accessible!
For the Cream Cheese Filling
This filling has to be spreadable, so make sure your cream cheese is truly soft. If it’s cold, it’ll rip the bread when you flatten it – and we really want to avoid bread rips!
- 4 slices white sandwich bread (Crusts must be gone! They just don’t roll nicely.)
- 2 ounces cream cheese (It absolutely needs to be softened up.)
- 1 Tbl. sugar
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract (Don’t skip this! It makes the cream cheese taste so much better.)
- 1/2 cup blueberries (Fresh or frozen works here for the filling.)
For the French Toast Batter and Coating
We treat the coating differently than the dip mixture—one is for soaking, one is for dusting afterwards to get that warm, sweet finish. I used a simple egg-and-milk bath for the ideal golden color.
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbl. milk
- 1/2 cup sugar (This is for the cinnamon-sugar coating!)
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- Butter (You need this for cooking in the skillet!)
For the Warm Maple Blueberry Syrup
This is so fast, it’s almost cheating. Just warm these two ingredients together while you are finishing the last batch of roll-ups.
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup blueberries (Again, fresh or frozen is fine here.)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
This is where the magic happens! Because we’re using soft bread, technique is everything here. Take your time on the first one or two while you get the rhythm, and remember, these are supposed to be fun, quick, kid-friendly snacks you can whip up!
Preparing the Bread and Cream Cheese Filling
First things first: take your bread slices and put them on a cutting board. Grab a rolling pin—seriously, a rolling pin works best—and gently but firmly flatten each slice until it’s nice and thin. You want it pliable. While you’re doing that, mix up your filling: beat the softened cream cheese with the one tablespoon of sugar, vanilla, and almond extract until it’s smooth as silk. If you’re using frozen blueberries in the filling, make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry first, or you’ll add too much moisture.
Assembling and Dipping the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
Now, spread about a quarter of that gorgeous cream cheese mixture onto one half of each flattened slice. Then, lay a little row of your fresh blueberries right near the bottom edge. Roll them up tightly! You have to be firm here so the filling stays put. In a shallow dish, whisk your egg and milk together. Dip the whole roll-up—top, bottom, sides—into that egg mixture until it’s totally coated. Don’t let it sit too long, or it gets soggy!
Cooking the Roll-Ups and Applying the Cinnamon Sugar
Heat a tablespoon of butter in your skillet over medium heat. You don’t want it smoking, just shimmering nicely. Cook your dipped roll-ups, turning them gently every minute or so until they are a beautiful golden brown on all sides. While those finish cooking, quickly mix your half-cup of sugar and the cinnamon in a separate dish. As soon as you pull a gorgeous, browned roll-up from the pan, drop it right into that cinnamon-sugar mix and roll it around until it’s completely coated. It sticks best while it’s piping hot!
Making the Simple Blueberry Syrup
We want this ready when the rolls are done. Just pour your maple syrup and that last half-cup of blueberries (again, fresh or frozen works!) into a tiny little skillet. Warm it gently until the syrup is loose and the berries are just beginning to burst. It smells incredible!
Tips for Perfect Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
I’ve made a few batches of these roll-ups in my day, and I’ve learned a couple of tricks that guarantee you get that perfect creamy center without any messy leaks. Trust me, nobody likes a cream cheese blowout halfway through cooking!
First off, let’s talk about that bread flattening. I know it seems unnecessary, but using your rolling pin to get the bread thin is the absolute secret weapon. If you skip this, the bread cracks when you try to roll it, and that’s the fastest way to start leaking filling right onto your hot butter. Go thin and gentle!
Second, make sure your cream cheese is room temperature soft, but your blueberries are either fresh or partially frozen. If you use fully thawed, wet berries, they tend to soak into the bread too quickly before you even get it rolled. Using them slightly chilled helps everything hold its place.
When you are sealing the deal, press the un-filled seam edge down really well! After you roll it up tight, I like to pinch that final edge with my thumb and forefinger to create a tight seam. This gives the egg bath something to really grip onto, which helps keep everything sealed tight when it’s cooking in the skillet.
And finally, don’t overload your pan! Cook these over medium heat, but only put in as many as can comfortably fit without touching. Overcrowding drops the temperature too fast, and then you end up with soggy, oil-logged toast instead of that beautiful golden crisp we are aiming for. It’s always worth the extra time to cook in smaller batches. If you love baked versions of this idea, you should check out my tips for a great French toast casserole too!
Variations for Your Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
I love that this recipe is a perfect base for playing around! While the blueberry and cream cheese combo is my absolute favorite—it just screams artistic balance to me—I’m always tinkering with things, especially when making quick, kid-friendly snacks. Don’t feel locked into just blueberries; this is your kitchen canvas!
For the filling, I sometimes swap out the almond extract for a tiny bit of lemon or orange zest. A microplane zester makes quick work of this, and the bright citrus really wakes up the richness of the cream cheese. It’s a totally different vibe, but still wonderful!
If you want to change up the coating, keep the cinnamon-sugar but try adding a little something extra to that dish. A pinch of nutmeg or even a quarter teaspoon of finely ground cardamom makes the coating taste warmer and so much more complex. It’s such a simple addition, but it elevates the whole thing!
And speaking of easy swaps, have you ever tired of plain white bread? You absolutely can swap that out. Thick-cut brioche is amazing—it browns beautifully and almost tastes like a doughnut once it’s cooked and rolled in sugar. If you’re looking for different sweet ideas altogether, you should definitely look at how I make those easy banana chocolate chip muffins; they have a similar comforting appeal.
Another fun thing to try is replacing the blueberries with sliced bananas and a drizzle of peanut butter (you’d skip the maple syrup and serve them with a dusting of powdered sugar instead). See? It’s just endless possibilities once you master the rolling technique!
Serving Suggestions for Your Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
Since we put so much effort into getting that perfect golden-brown exterior and hiding that gorgeous purple-blue center, we absolutely have to plate these beautifully! Food is meant to be enjoyed with the eyes first, right? I always think about how the colors will look together before anything hits the table. You want these roll-ups to look as appetizing as they taste.
When it comes to presentation, think vertically! Instead of just laying them flat on the plate, stand them up slightly against each other like little cozy barrels. This showcases the cinnamon-sugar coating and gives the plate some visual height. I love to dust the whole plate lightly with powdered sugar right before serving—it looks like a delicate snowfall and really makes the deep blue of the berries pop against the golden toast.
Don’t forget the syrup arrangement! Since we warmed the syrup with extra berries, you can drizzle that artfully over the top, aiming for one or two of the roll-ups so the others stay maximally crisp. A tiny sprig of fresh mint, if you have it, adds a gorgeous, professional green contrast. Honestly, just a small touch like that takes this from a quick weeknight breakfast to a show-stopping brunch feature.
What to drink with these? Because the roll-ups are rich and sweet, I always pair them with something strong to cut through that richness. A hot, dark-roast coffee is perfect, or if you’re feeling festive, an iced black tea. They marry perfectly. If you’re done with brunch and looking for another gorgeous dessert centerpiece, you have to try my apple caramel and walnut tartlets next!
Storage and Make-Ahead Options for Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
I totally get it—who has time to roll and dip French toast squares every single morning? Thankfully, these Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups are pretty fantastic for planning ahead, making them perfect for those mornings when you need quick, kid-friendly snacks or a stress-free weekend brunch lineup.
The best part you can prep ahead is definitely that cream cheese filling. Just mix it up until it’s smooth, pop it into a small airtight container, and tuck it into the fridge. It stays perfect for up to three days! When you’re ready to assemble your breakfast, just pull that filling out about 15 minutes before you flatten your bread so it spreads easily. It saves so much time in the morning rush.
Now, for the cooked roll-ups themselves? You can definitely make them ahead, but you have to sacrifice a tiny bit of that ‘fresh-off-the-skillet’ crispness. Cook them completely until they are golden brown, let them cool fully on a wire rack—this is important so they don’t steam and get soggy—and then store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. When you want to reheat, I highly recommend using an air fryer or a toaster oven. Pop them in for just a few minutes until they are hot and slightly crispy again. Microwaving works, but honestly, it makes them a little soft, and we want to preserve that texture!
If you’re looking for something even more hands-off the night before, you could try assembling the roll-ups completely—flatten, fill, roll, and dip them in the egg mixture—but don’t cook them yet. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment, cover tightly, and chill overnight. The next morning, just melt your butter in the skillet and cook them following the recipe—they reheat beautifully this way! If you like making things the day before your breakfast, also check out my recipe for overnight pancake tray bake for another simple prep hack!
Frequently Asked Questions About Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
I always get so many questions when people try this recipe for the first time because it looks tricky, but I promise, it’s not! These roll-ups are a fantastic option among kid-friendly snacks because they’re fun to eat, but let’s answer the most common cooking concerns right here.
Can I use a different type of bread for these roll-ups?
You absolutely can, but you need a bread that can handle being flattened without tearing. White sandwich bread is classic because it’s soft, but a good, slightly thicker brioche or Texas toast style works even better if you don’t flatten it quite as aggressively. Avoid anything super holey like sourdough, though, because the filling will escape!
Are these Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups good for picky eaters?
Honestly, this is one of my go-to breakfast ideas for picky eaters! When they are made right, they are basically just sweet toast wrapped around a creamy center. The fruit is contained, and everything gets that nice cinnamon-sugar crust. If you want them to be the absolute best kid-friendly snacks possible, skip the extra blueberries in the syrup and just serve them plain or with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
How do I prevent the cream cheese from leaking out while cooking?
This happens if you overfill or don’t seal the edge well! After you roll the flattened bread, make sure that final seam is pressed firmly together. I like to give the seam a really good pinch before dipping it in the egg wash. Also, don’t roll them too far ahead of time; dip and cook them quickly so the moisture doesn’t soften the seam before it hits the hot skillet.
Nutritional Estimates for Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
When I create recipes, I always focus on flavor first, but I know many of you are curious about the numbers too! Since presentation is key, I want you to know what you’re serving up, whether it’s for a weekend brunch or just a fun breakfast treat. Remember, because we use real butter and pure maple syrup, these estimates reflect a truly decadent, flavorful roll-up.
These estimates are calculated based on using the ingredients listed in the recipe above and serving one roll-up exactly as directed.
- Serving Size: 1 roll-up
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 12g (with 6g Saturated Fat)
- Sugar: 35g (It’s a sweet treat, so this tracks!)
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 8g
- Sodium: 250mg
It’s important for me to be upfront about ingredients. Because this recipe calls for white bread, sugar coatings, and pure maple syrup, the sugar content is higher, but that’s what contributes to that amazing flavor and texture we worked so hard to achieve! These are meant to be a special indulgence, not an everyday health staple, you know?
If you ever want to dive deeper into how I calculate these numbers or look at my general policies regarding nutrition information on the site, you can always check out the full details on my disclaimer page. As a chef and photographer, I aim for transparency in all aspects of my recipes!
Share Your Beautiful Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups Creations
That’s it! You’ve officially rolled, dipped, cooked, and drizzled your way to the prettiest breakfast on the block. Honestly, just seeing the beautiful golden spirals dusted with cinnamon sugar makes my day, and I bet yours look fantastic too!
I put so much love into translating that fancy restaurant dessert into something approachable for your kitchen, and now I’m just waiting to see how you photograph yours! Seriously, don’t hold back. Did the blueberries bleed watercolor purple into the cream cheese? Did you swirl that syrup perfectly? I want to see it all!
If you made these, please take a moment and leave a star rating right down below. It helps me know what recipes you love and what I should be cooking up next for you all. And if you run across any little surprises or have a modification that blew your mind, drop a comment! I read every single one, and it helps the whole community learn how to elevate these simple recipes.
If you have any lingering questions about technique or just want to show off your stunning presentation, you can always reach out directly through my contact page. Happy cooking, and enjoy that incredible, handheld breakfast!
Print
Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make these fun, handheld French toast roll-ups filled with sweet cream cheese and fresh blueberries, served with a warm maple blueberry syrup.
Ingredients
- 4 slices white sandwich bread crusts removed
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 Tbl. sugar
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
- 1/2 cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbl. milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- butter for cooking
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (for syrup)
- 1/2 cup blueberries fresh or frozen (for syrup)
Instructions
- Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice of bread.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 1 tablespoon sugar, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture on half of each bread slice.
- Place a row of blueberries across the lower edge of each roll-up.
- Roll each slice tightly.
- Combine the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small dish.
- Beat the egg and milk in a separate shallow dish.
- Dip each roll-up into the egg mixture, coating completely.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the roll-ups in the skillet, turning until browned on all sides.
- Remove the roll-ups from the skillet and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve immediately.
- For the syrup: In a small skillet, warm the maple syrup with 1/2 cup of blueberries.
Notes
- This recipe is great for a special weekend brunch or a sweet breakfast treat.
- You can prepare the cream cheese filling ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll-up
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups, Stuffed French Toast, Breakfast Roll-Ups, Sweet Breakfast, Brunch Recipe, Kid-Friendly Breakfast