Decadent Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Breakfast & Brunch Treat
Are you looking for an effortless yet incredibly impressive dish to bring to your next breakfast potluck, family brunch, or holiday gathering? This Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna is the perfect solution. Born from a need for quick, easy, and make-ahead breakfast ideas, especially for work potlucks, this recipe layers store-bought refrigerator cinnamon rolls (like Pillsbury) with a rich, creamy, and fruity filling. The best part? It can be prepared in under 30 minutes the night before, or even a couple of days in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the cinnamon roll layers to soften into a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth texture. This recipe is a true game-changer for stress-free entertaining.
Not only is this breakfast lasagna a fantastic brunch potluck recipe, but it also shines as a festive holiday breakfast, a casual Sunday brunch centerpiece, or even a unique and delicious dessert. If you’re searching for creative Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll recipes, you’ve definitely found a winner with this one!
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Why You’ll Love This Make-Ahead Breakfast Lasagna
This sweet breakfast lasagna truly benefits from being made in advance. The overnight refrigeration allows the baked cinnamon roll layers to fully absorb the moist, flavorful cream cheese and raspberry mixture, transforming them into a soft, cake-like consistency that’s simply irresistible. Beyond its delicious taste, there are many reasons why this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:
- Unbeatable Convenience: Using pre-made refrigerated cinnamon rolls dramatically cuts down on prep time, making this a genuinely quick and easy option for busy mornings or last-minute potluck invitations.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Serving 12 generously, this lasagna is ideal for larger gatherings. You can easily double the recipe if you have an even bigger group, just remember you’ll need an additional baking dish.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: While excellent for breakfast and brunch, its sweet and rich profile also makes it a sensational dessert. Surprise your guests with a unique sweet treat after dinner or at your next holiday meal.
- Unique Flavor Combination: The blend of sweet cinnamon, tart raspberries, rich cream cheese, and a hint of mocha creates a sophisticated and balanced flavor that stands out from typical breakfast fare. The lemon zest adds an unexpected brightness that elevates the entire dish.
- Stress-Free Entertaining: With minimal active prep time and the ability to prepare it days in advance, you can enjoy your event without being stuck in the kitchen.
*Heads up – This recipe requires at least 8 hours of refrigeration to achieve its optimal texture and flavor, so planning to make it the night before is essential.
This raspberry cinnamon bun lasagna offers a delightful twist on the usual breakfast options, satisfying sweet cravings with its simple preparation and impressive presentation. Its crowd-pleasing nature makes it an instant hit at any gathering.
🥘 Ingredients for Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna
To create this delightful breakfast lasagna, you’ll need a handful of accessible ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture:
- Store-bought Refrigerator Cinnamon Rolls with Icing: This is the hero ingredient for convenience! I personally opt for Pillsbury cinnamon rolls due to their consistent quality and delicious frosting, which is cleverly incorporated into our mocha cream. Make sure you get the packages that include the icing, as we’ll be using it.
- Light Cream Cheese: Essential for the creamy, tangy raspberry layer. You have flexibility here; feel free to use regular full-fat cream cheese for an extra rich texture, or fat-free cream cheese if you’re watching calories. Just ensure it’s softened for easy blending.
- Powdered Sugar/Icing Sugar: To sweeten and thicken the cream cheese mixture and a portion of the whipped cream, creating that smooth, luxurious filling.
- Lemon Zest: Don’t skip this! A touch of lemon zest works wonders, cutting through the sweetness and adding an incredible bright, fresh flavor that truly enhances the cinnamon rolls and raspberries. It’s an amazing flavor booster!
- Whipping Cream: Freshly whipped cream forms the light and airy top layer and is also folded into the cream cheese mixture, contributing to the lasagna’s decadent texture.
- Frozen Raspberries: These provide a wonderful tart contrast to the sweet cinnamon and cream. While you can substitute fresh raspberries, frozen ones are often more economical and readily available. Just be sure to defrost, drain, and pat them dry thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in your lasagna.
- Seedless Raspberry Jam: This adds a concentrated burst of raspberry flavor and helps bind the cream cheese mixture. While you can use jam with seeds, seedless jam offers a smoother, more refined texture that’s ideal for this dish.
- Brewed Vanilla Coffee: This is the “mocha” element! It infuses the frosting with a subtle, aromatic coffee flavor. If you don’t have vanilla coffee, you can easily substitute regular brewed coffee and a ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Fresh Raspberries (optional): For an elegant garnish, a sprinkle of fresh raspberries on top adds a beautiful pop of color and freshness right before serving.
- Cinnamon: A final dusting of cinnamon enhances the overall warmth and classic cinnamon roll essence.
*Refer to the full recipe card below for exact quantities.
🔪 Instructions for Preparing Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna
Making this breakfast lasagna is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these steps for a delicious, layered treat:
- Prepare the Cinnamon Roll Layers: Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). This ensures your cinnamon rolls bake evenly and quickly.
- Pan Preparation: Lightly spray two 9×13 inch baking pans with a non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the cinnamon rolls from sticking and make them easier to remove later.
- Flatten the Cinnamon Rolls: Open each package of store-bought cinnamon buns. Take each individual bun and roll it out as flat as possible. You want to create a thin, uniform layer of dough. Press these flattened cinnamon rolls firmly into the bottom of each 9×13 inch pan, ensuring they cover the entire surface without any gaps.
💡 Pro Tip: Rolling Cinnamon Buns
For the best results, aim to roll out each cinnamon bun package as flat as you possibly can. This creates the thin, lasagna-like base for your layers. You’ll need to use two separate 9×13 inch pans for baking these layers simultaneously, unless you prefer to bake them one at a time. I find it easiest to roll out the buns directly in the baking dish if you have a smaller rolling pin or a two-sided pizza/pastry roller, otherwise, a cutting board works perfectly for rolling before transferring.
- Add Lemon Zest: Sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon zest evenly over each flattened cinnamon roll layer in both pans. This step is crucial for adding a bright, zesty note.
- Bake the Layers: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10-13 minutes, or until the cinnamon roll layers are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-browning.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream: While the cinnamon roll layers are baking, pour your whipping cream into a large mixing bowl. Beat it with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Sweeten a Portion of Whipped Cream: Remove 1 cup of the whipped cream and set it aside. To the remaining whipped cream in the bowl, add 3 tablespoons of icing/powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. This portion will be used for the top layer.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Raspberry Mixture: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and seedless raspberry jam until smooth and well combined. Gently fold in the 1 cup of soft-peak whipped cream (the portion you set aside earlier, without additional sugar). Then, carefully fold in the defrosted, drained, and patted-dry frozen raspberries.
- Cool the Cinnamon Roll Layers: Once the cinnamon bun layers are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in their pans for about 5 minutes. Don’t worry if they seem to shrink a bit; they will soften and expand once the moist fillings are added and it refrigerates overnight. Gently remove one baked layer from its pan and place it on a cooling rack.
- Prepare the Mocha Icing: In a medium bowl, combine the remaining whipped cream (approximately 2 cups, which should be at stiff peaks) with the icing/frosting that came with the cinnamon bun packages. Mix well until smooth. Stir in the brewed vanilla coffee (or regular coffee plus vanilla extract). This creates the luscious mocha-infused topping.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Spread the entire cream cheese raspberry mixture evenly over the baked cinnamon bun layer that is still in one of the 9×13 pans.
- Carefully place the other baked cinnamon bun layer on top of the cream cheese mixture, face up.
- Spread the mocha whipped cream/icing mixture over the top cinnamon roll layer, covering it completely.
- Garnish and Refrigerate: Garnish your Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna with a dusting of cinnamon and fresh raspberries (if using). Now, the crucial step: cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the layers to set, the flavors to deepen, and the cinnamon rolls to become wonderfully soft.
- Serve: Once chilled, slice and serve this magnificent breakfast or dessert lasagna. Enjoy!
*Please see the comprehensive recipe card below for all baking details and assembly instructions.
🍽 Equipment You’ll Need
To successfully prepare this Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna, having the right equipment will make the process much smoother:
- Two 9×13 Inch Lasagna Pans: You will absolutely need two standard 9×13 inch baking dishes for this recipe to bake the cinnamon roll layers simultaneously. Investing in pans that come with a lid is highly recommended, especially if you plan to transport your lasagna to a potluck or gathering. This keeps it fresh and makes transportation a breeze.
- Rolling Pin: A rolling pin is essential for flattening the cinnamon buns. I highly recommend a two-sided pizza or pastry rolling pin, as its smaller, tapered ends allow you to roll the buns directly in the baking pan, saving you an extra step and cleanup.
- Large Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least two large mixing bowls – one for whipping cream and another for the cream cheese and raspberry mixture.
- Electric Mixer: An electric hand mixer or stand mixer will make whipping the cream and blending the cream cheese much easier and quicker.
- Spatulas and Spoons: For mixing, spreading, and gently folding ingredients.
- Cooling Rack: Handy for cooling one of the baked cinnamon roll layers before assembly.
*See the recipe card below for recommended links to specific equipment and photos.
👪 Serving & Pairing
This magnificent Raspberry Mocha Breakfast Lasagna is designed to serve a crowd, making it truly perfect for potlucks, holiday brunches, or any significant gathering. It comfortably yields 12 servings, and its rich flavors mean a single slice is often satisfying. If you’re hosting an even larger group, simply double the recipe – just remember you’ll need an additional lasagna pan to accommodate the extra layers. For ultimate convenience, you can easily adjust the number of servings directly in the recipe card below by clicking on the blue serving size; the ingredient amounts will automatically update for you.
Serve this lasagna alongside a fresh fruit salad for a balanced breakfast, or with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Its sweetness also makes it a delightful standalone dessert.
🌡️ Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
One of the best features of this Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna is its fantastic make-ahead potential and ease of storage:
- Fridge: You can prepare this breakfast lasagna up to 2-3 days in advance. In fact, making it ahead allows the flavors to deepen and the cinnamon rolls to achieve their ideal soft texture. Store it in a sealed container or with the pan tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: It is crucial to NOT freeze this lasagna. The whipped cream and cream cheese layers can separate and become watery or grainy upon thawing, significantly affecting the texture and overall quality of the dish.
Make-ahead breakfast and brunch potluck recipes are truly invaluable, especially when juggling work, family, or holiday preparations. Over the years, I’ve perfected several reliable make-ahead options for various gatherings. Beyond this delightful lasagna, some of my personal favorites include these flavorful Maple Sausage Brunch Bites, a hearty Perogy Breakfast Casserole (a unique savory option!), and these light and flaky Raspberry Lemon Scones. All of these can be prepared ahead of time, ensuring a stress-free start to your day.
This quick and easy breakfast lasagna is an innovative dish, leveraging the convenience of store-bought refrigerator Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and their included icing (ensuring zero waste!), combined with whipped cream and vibrant frozen raspberries. It’s a truly unique and incredibly tasty Pillsbury cinnamon rolls recipe! So, if you’re on the hunt for impressive make-ahead breakfast casseroles or Pillsbury cinnamon roll recipes for your next breakfast or brunch potluck, your search ends here. This recipe also doubles as a fantastic dessert lasagna, offering a delicious and easy sweet option for any brunch spread!
More Cinnamon Roll Inspired Recipes
If you’re a devoted fan of cinnamon rolls and constantly seeking new ways to enjoy their comforting flavor, I have even more delightful ideas for you. From savory twists to overnight wonders, these recipes offer something for every cinnamon roll craving:
- For a sophisticated and unique take, try my Gruyere Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls. These can even be made effortlessly in your bread machine!
- If you appreciate the convenience of overnight prep, my Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns are a must-try. You can assemble them the night before and wake up to freshly baked, gooey goodness.
- And for those who love the taste of cinnamon rolls but prefer less fuss, my Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Lemon Glaze is a fantastic option. It delivers all the comforting flavors without the extensive work of traditional cinnamon rolls!
This Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna was originally created for a Pillsbury contest/bake-off. While it didn’t secure a win in that specific competition, its exceptional taste and popularity among friends and family convinced me it was far too good not to share with the world! You can explore more of my Award-winning Recipes HERE. Plus, if you subscribe to my newsletter via the sidebar (or before you leave the site), you’ll receive a FREE copy of my exclusive award-winning e-cookbook as a token of my appreciation!
📋 Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna Recipe
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Equipment
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2 sided rolling pin
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9X13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 351 g pkgs packages of store-bought refrigerator cinnamon rolls with icing I use Pillsbury cinnamon rolls
- 1 250 g package light cream cheese
- 3 tablespoon icing/powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 473 ml container of whipping cream
- 2 cups frozen raspberries defrosted, drained and patted dry
- ⅓ cup seedless raspberry jam
- 2 tablespoon brewed vanilla coffee or substitute 2 tablespoon coffee and ½ teaspoon vanilla
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ cup fresh raspberries optional
Instructions
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*Heads up – you need 8 hours of refrigeration for this recipe, so you’ll want to make it at minimum, the night before
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Heat oven to 400 degrees F/205 degrees C.
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Spray two 9X13 baking pans with nonstick spray.
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Roll out each package of cinnamon buns as flat as possible and press into bottom of each 9X13 pan. Ensure the cinnamon rolls cover the entire surface of the pan. *You need to roll it onto 2 separate pans, unless you want to bake the layers one at a time
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You can do this on a cutting board, then transfer to pan or roll out the buns right in the baking dish, if you have a smaller rolling pin (this is what I do).
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Sprinkle a ½ teaspoon lemon zest evenly over each flattened cinnamon roll layer in each pan.
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Bake for 10-13 minutes in preheated oven or until golden brown.
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While cinnamon roll layers are baking, beat whipping cream to soft peaks in a large bowl.
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Remove 1 cup and beat 3 tablespoon icing/powdered sugar into it at soft peak stage, then continue beating to stiff peaks.
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Beat remaining whipped cream to stiff peaks and set aside.
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In a separate mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and raspberry jam – then fold in the 1 cup whipped cream (with icing sugar/powdered sugar added).
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Fold in defrosted and drained raspberries.
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When cinnamon bun layers are done baking, remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. *Don’t worry, if they shrink up a bit. Once you get the other ingredients on top the the layers and it sits overnight, it will soften up and spread out.
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Gently remove the one layer and place on cooling rack.
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With a large spoon, mix remaining whipped cream (about 2 cups) and the icing/frosting (that came with the cinnamon bun packages) together and add vanilla brewed coffee. Set aside.
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Assembly: spread cream cheese raspberry mixture over layer of cinnamon buns in pan
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Place the other layer of baked cinnamon buns on top of mixture face up
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Spread whipped cream/icing mixture overtop of that layer.
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Garnish with cinnamon and raspberries and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
🍳 More Delicious Breakfast Potluck Ideas
If you’re constantly seeking fresh and exciting ideas for breakfast or brunch potlucks, you’re in the right place! Finding recipes that are both crowd-pleasing and simple to prepare can be a challenge, but I’ve cultivated a collection of dishes that fit the bill perfectly. These recipes are designed for convenience, often allowing for make-ahead preparation, so you can enjoy the gathering instead of spending it in the kitchen. For even more inspiration, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide to 35 Breakfast Potluck Ideas!
