We've got the perfect homemade hostess gifts – it's unique and useful. It will be SURE to wow (and it's easy to make!).
Homemade Hostess Gifts
Laura, here!
I love bringing hostess gifts when I attend parties and events. It really makes me feel like I have my life together! But, it can be hard to think of a hostess gift that is actually useful and fun for the hostess to receive (she probably already has candles and tea towels she needs, right?).
I'm happy to report I've found the perfect, homemade hostess gift – a French Toast Bake for the next morning!
Throwing a party can be so hectic and we've all been the hostess that wakes up the next morning to a home that looks like a tornado came through (a fun tornado, of course), and the party clean up begins. But, when you have normal life going on and kids to feed, it can be a challenging day-after. This homemade hostess gifts helps to alleviate some of that stress and takes care of breakfast for the host family.
Supplies for this homemade hostess gift
This gift includes a make-ahead breakfast casserole (it's important that it can be prepared today, refrigerated overnight, and baked in the morning). I used one of my favorite Passionate Penny Pincher recipes – French Toast Bake. It is sweet, so easy to prepare, and is always a hit for kids and adults.
*Note: I substituted cut-up cinnamon rolls for the bread in this recipe (two 8-count cans)!
To complete the gift, you'll need:
- Ingredients for the French Toast Bake
- Disposable 9×13″ pan (you can find these at the Dollar Tree or I love this cute rose gold pan for some extra fun)
- Aluminum Foil
- Fun ribbon
- Notecard or thank you note (I love keeping a set of blank notecards like these on hand for purposes like this)
How to make this gift unique:
Prepare your French Toast Bake in the disposable pan per the recipe. Cover with aluminum foil.
You can make your gift your own by using different fun ribbons, bows, and notes. If you're attending a Christmas party, this would be so cute with a decorative Christmas tree ornament attached to the ribbon. You could also include a picture of you and the hostess tied to the bow.
Top the gift off with a notecard expressing your thanks for the hostess and the instructions for baking in the morning. I know she will love it!
*P.S. You can check with the hostess or a friend/relative ahead of time for food allergies.
The notecard says Bake at 375 for 20 min.
The recipe says Bake at 375 covered for 20 min , then uncovered for an additional 25 min. I want to make this using the cinnamon rolls. I just want to make sure I cook it the proper amt of time. Thanks!
Hi Dorothy! The notecard says bake at 350 for 20 min, uncover and bake an additional 25 minutes. I hope that helps! 🙂
Not in the photo in the article. Thanks for clarifying. The photo could be misleading for some.
The notecard in the pic above says “375 for 30 minutes and add icing” so I’m really confused now.
I assume the cinnamon rolls were cooked prior to using in the casserole?
No actually, part of the note are the instructions on baking so its nice and fresh for the person being gifted the dish! 🙂
Do you make any other changes to the French toast bake recipe, or just swap the bread out? Also, how did you include the icing? Set inside the pan or in a separate container?
She did everything the same except for substituting with the cinnamon rolls. I would probably leave the icing out. This would be great topped with maple syrup instead. Hope that helps!
You cook the cinnamon rolls first, right?
Hi Michelle! You can actually leave this uncooked so that they can freeze it for later. I hope this helps!
Would they be able to freeze for later?
Hi, Jennifer! That is a great idea, they would definitely be able to freeze for later. I hope this helps answer your question!
Hi Laura!
I was wondering how many sleeves of cinnamon rolls you used?
Thanks!
Hi there Claire ~ two 8-count cans of cinnamon rolls is what was used! Hope that helps! 🙂