Name: Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter, softened; ½ cup cream cheese, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; ½ cup whole milk; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups Bisquick mix; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 cup buttermilk; ½ cup whole milk; 30 drops red gel food coloring; 1 egg; 2 tablespoons melted butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Imagine biting into a warm, fluffy waffle with just the right touch of chocolate and a vibrant red color, all topped with a silky cream cheese glaze that melts on your tongue. This Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is a fun, festive twist on your usual breakfast that’s perfect for weekends, special breakfasts, or whenever you want to treat yourself to something extra special.

Two thick stacked bright red waffles sit on a white plate, each waffle having deep square pockets filled with small dark chocolate chips. White sauce is drizzled over the top waffle, flowing down the sides and pooling slightly on the plate. The texture of the waffles looks soft with a light crisp on the edges. The background shows a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have a soft spot for anything red velvet, and turning it into waffles is my secret weekend delight. This recipe brings together rich chocolate notes, a subtle tang from the cream cheese glaze, and that fluffy yet slightly crisp waffle texture that’s just irresistible.

Bold and Beautiful: The red gel food coloring makes these waffles pop, adding a festive vibe to any breakfast table.
Perfect Balance: Cocoa powder and cream cheese glaze combine to give a rich yet subtle sweetness without overpowering the waffles.
Texture Harmony: They’re soft inside with crispy edges, which I find makes every bite so satisfying.
Easy & Quick: Uses Bisquick as a base, so you get all the flavor without a fuss or hours in the kitchen.

A stack of three bright red waffles sits on a white plate, drizzled with white cream that fills some waffle pockets and runs over the edges. Scattered small dark chocolate chips top the cream and waffles. Another similar stack is partially visible in the background on a white plate over a blue striped cloth. To the right are a white jug filled with cream and a white bowl full of chocolate chips. All are placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each part of this recipe is chosen to balance flavor and texture while keeping the process straightforward. The Bisquick gives a light, fluffy structure, while the cocoa adds the classic red velvet flavor. The cream cheese glaze? It’s the icing on the cake – literally.

Flat lay of softened butter in a small white bowl, a block of fresh cream cheese on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white bowl of whole milk, a few drops of vanilla extract in a small white bowl, a mound of Bisquick mix on a white ceramic plate, a small pile of brown sugar on a plain white plate, a small heap of unsweetened cocoa powder on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl of buttermilk, a single whole clean egg with an uncracked shell, melted butter in a small white bowl, tiny vivid red drops of gel food coloring arranged artistically on a white ceramic plate, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfect symmetry and balanced layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bisquick mix: This shortcut mix is a lifesaver for quick waffles and ensures they’re tender yet hold their shape beautifully.
Brown sugar: Adds a gentle caramel sweetness and deeper flavor than regular sugar.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives those signature chocolate notes and richness that make red velvet stand out.
Buttermilk: The tang plus acidity makes waffles tender and helps activate the leaveners in the Bisquick.
Whole milk: Blends with buttermilk for the perfect consistency and richness in the batter.
Red gel food coloring: Concentrated and vibrant, this is what transforms these waffles into a beautiful red hue without altering flavor.
Egg: Builds structure and adds moisture – the key to fluffy waffles.
Melted butter: Adds richness and helps achieve those crispy waffle edges we all love.
Vanilla extract: Provides warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
Butter (for glaze): Softened for smooth mixing and richness in the cream cheese glaze.
Cream cheese: Makes the glaze tangy and luscious, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Powdered sugar: Dissolves easily for a smooth, sweet glaze without graininess.
Milk (for glaze): Adjusts glaze thickness for drizzling or frosting style.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): Enhances flavor and ties the whole thing together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch things up depending on the season or who I’m cooking for. You can easily customize this recipe to fit your mood or dietary needs. Plus, changing things up is part of the fun!

Variation: One time, I swapped red food coloring for purple gel during Halloween and served them with a blackberry glaze instead – such a cool twist that amazed everyone!
Dairy-Free Version: You can try almond or oat milk instead of whole milk and buttermilk, and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the glaze. It won't have quite the same tang, but it's still tasty.
Less Sweet: I sometimes skip the brown sugar in the batter if I want the glaze to be the star of the show without things getting too sweet.
Extra Crunch: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before cooking adds a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze

Start by beating the softened butter and cream cheese together until velvety smooth—this step is key to ensuring your glaze won’t be lumpy. Then add your powdered sugar gradually, beating until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. I like to scrape the bowl sides a couple of times during this to make sure the glaze is perfectly smooth.

Step 2: Mix in Milk and Vanilla

Add the milk and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. This thins the glaze to a perfect drizzle consistency—add more milk if you want it thinner or less for a thicker frosting-like texture. Set this aside while you prep your batter.

Step 3: Prepare Your Waffle Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together Bisquick, brown sugar, and cocoa powder until evenly combined. I usually sift the cocoa in to avoid clumps. Then add buttermilk, whole milk, red gel food coloring (those 30 drops make the waffles beautifully vibrant!), egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything until smooth – the batter should be thick but pourable.

Step 4: Cook Your Waffles

Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it (unless it’s nonstick). Pour about ¾ cup of batter onto the iron – this can vary depending on your waffle iron size, so consult your manual if unsure. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the waffle pulls away easily without sticking. You want soft, fluffy insides with lightly crisp and slightly browned edges.

Step 5: Serve Warm with Cream Cheese Glaze

Drizzle your homemade cream cheese glaze generously over the warm waffles and enjoy right away – that contrast of warm waffle and cool, tangy glaze is pure magic.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve realized little tweaks make all the difference when it comes to perfect red velvet waffles. Here are my top tips from experience to help make your waffles unbeatable.

Don't Overfill the Waffle Iron: I used to pour too much batter, leading to uneven cooking and messes. Stick to about ¾ cup and adjust based on your iron size.
Make Fresh Glaze Every Time: Glaze tastes best when freshly made — the texture and flavor really pop, and it’s worth the few extra minutes.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid dyes can thin the batter and dull the color. Gel gives you that vibrant, festive red you want.
Rest Your Batter Briefly: Let the batter sit for 5 minutes before cooking. This helps the cocoa hydrate and creates a more tender waffle.

How to Serve Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for fresh berries alongside these waffles—strawberries and raspberries add a fresh tartness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top or add a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent vibe.

Side Dishes

These waffles pair beautifully with crispy bacon or sausage if you want a savory breakfast twist. For a lighter option, a side of fresh fruit salad or Greek yogurt balances everything nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions like Valentine’s Day or birthdays, I stack the waffles in a tower, layering cream cheese glaze between each waffle and topping it off with edible flowers or mini chocolate chips. It always impresses and feels festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep them from getting soggy, I separate layers with parchment paper. The cream cheese glaze is best freshly made, so I don’t store it with the waffles.

Freezing

These waffles freeze beautifully! I cool them completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When I want a quick breakfast, I just pop one in the toaster or oven — no defrosting needed.

Reheating

Reheat waffles in a toaster or toaster oven to bring back crisp edges without drying them out. Microwave tends to make them soft, so I avoid it unless I’m in a real rush and plan to top with fresh glaze after.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, just add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. This mimics the tanginess of buttermilk, enhancing the waffle texture and flavor.

What if I don’t want to use artificial food coloring?

You can skip the red food coloring for a more natural approach, but keep in mind the waffles will look more like a chocolate variation. Alternatively, you could try using beet juice or powdered freeze-dried berries to add color, but results will vary.

Can I make these waffles gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free pancake and waffle mix instead of Bisquick. Make sure to check that the mix contains a leavening agent and adjust cocoa and liquids accordingly. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious!

How long does the cream cheese glaze keep?

Store cream cheese glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before using, give it a quick stir or beat it lightly to restore smoothness since it may firm up when chilled.

Final Thoughts

Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe has become one of my go-to treats whenever the weekend calls for something cozy and a little extra. They’re vibrant, delicious, and made with simple ingredients you can find easily. I hope you enjoy making and savoring these waffles as much as I do — they’re perfect for sharing with family, friends, or just when you want to feel a little special at breakfast.