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

Nothing beats waking up to the rich, vibrant flavors of red velvet paired with a luscious cream cheese glaze. This Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe feels like a cozy hug on your plate—soft, colorful waffles drenched in a sweet, tangy glaze that’s seriously addictive. You’re going to want to keep this one close!

Two thick, bright red waffles are stacked on a white plate with a white marbled background. The waffles have a classic grid pattern with deep squares filled with small dark chocolate chips. White creamy sauce is drizzled over the top waffle, dripping into the squares and slightly down the sides. The texture of the waffles looks soft with a little crisp on the edges. 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 always get excited about this recipe because it brings together the classic charm of red velvet in a fun, unexpected way—waffles! The cream cheese glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness and tang, making it a total breakfast crowd-pleaser. Trust me, you'll enjoy this anytime treat.

Vibrant Flavor: The red velvet base is rich with cocoa and perfectly balanced with a subtle sweetness that’s not overpowering.
Cream Cheese Glaze Magic: This glaze is silky and tangy, cutting through the sweetness of the waffles beautifully.
Simple Yet Impressive: With pantry staples and just a few extra ingredients, it feels like a special occasion breakfast any day.
Customizable: Easily tweak the glaze thickness or waffle sweetness to suit your taste buds or dietary needs.

A stack of three bright red waffles sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The waffles have a crisp texture with deep square pockets filled with dripping white creamy sauce. Small dark chocolate chips sprinkle on top and inside the pockets, adding contrast. In the background, another plate with red waffles covered in the same white sauce and chocolate chips is partly visible. Next to it, a white jug with more creamy sauce and a white bowl filled with chocolate chips rest on the white marbled surface with a light blue cloth underneath one plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The combination of these ingredients creates that iconic red velvet flavor and texture you love, while the glaze adds moisture and a tangy sweetness. I like to use good quality cream cheese and fresh buttermilk for the best results—trust me, it makes a difference!

Flat lay of a small pile of soft butter, a wedge of fresh cream cheese, a mound of powdered sugar, a small white bowl filled with whole milk, a tiny white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a neat pile of Bisquick mix, a few heaping tablespoons of brown sugar, a small heap of unsweetened cocoa powder, a small white bowl with buttermilk, a single whole brown egg with clean shell, a small white bowl containing melted butter, and a few drops of vibrant red gel food coloring, all arranged symmetrically on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, 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 saves time by combining flour, baking powder, and salt, giving you fluffy waffles with minimal effort.
Brown sugar: Adds a warm sweetness and slight molasses flavor that deepens the red velvet taste.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the waffles that distinctive red velvet cocoa kick without being overpowering.
Buttermilk: Reacts with baking powder for lightness and adds subtle tanginess—you can DIY it with milk and vinegar if you’re out.
Whole milk: Balances the batter’s consistency and richness for soft waffles.
Red gel food coloring: Creates that signature red hue without thinning the batter like liquid coloring might.
Egg: Adds structure and richness to your waffles.
Melted butter: Brings in tender crumb and a buttery flavor every bite.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors, complementing the cocoa and cream cheese.
Butter (for glaze): Softened for smooth mixing, adds richness to the glaze.
Cream cheese (for glaze): The star of the glaze, giving it that creamy tang we all crave.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze with a smooth texture.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is how flexible it is. I love tweaking it based on what I have and the season—sometimes adding nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon in the batter for extra warmth.

Variation: I’ve subbed out whole milk for almond milk before and it still turned out great—handy for dairy-free options!
Less Sweet: Skipping the brown sugar in the waffles if I want to balance the glaze’s sweetness more.
Thicker Glaze: Reducing the milk in the glaze for a spreadable frosting-style finish—perfect if you want to sandwich waffles together.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze First

Start by beating softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy—no lumps here! Add the powdered sugar gradually, beating until the whole mixture is light, fluffy, and dreamy. Remember to scrape down the bowl occasionally so you don't miss any stubborn bits. Then, stir in the milk and vanilla. Set this aside, because your glaze is going to be the star when your waffles come out fresh and hot.

Step 2: Prepare Your Waffle Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together the Bisquick, brown sugar, and cocoa powder until they’re nicely blended. Then, add the buttermilk, whole milk, red gel food coloring, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything until you have a smooth, evenly colored batter. This step gets me every time—the bright red color just makes me smile!

Step 3: Cook Your Waffles to Perfection

Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. I pour about ¾ cup of batter (but this varies by waffle iron, so check yours). Close the lid and let the waffle cook for around 4-5 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it easily lifts off without sticking and has a lightly browned, slightly crispy surface. Soft on the inside, crisp on the outside—that’s exactly what you’re aiming for.

Step 4: Drizzle and Devour

Once your waffles are piping hot, generously drizzle your cream cheese glaze on top. The warm waffle slightly melts the glaze, creating irresistible pockets of sweetness. Serve immediately and watch everyone smile with that first bite!

Top Tip

I’ve made these waffles countless times and learned a few tricks that really help nail the texture and flavor every time.

Warm Waffle Iron: Make sure it’s fully preheated before pouring batter to get that nice crisp exterior without sticking.
Use Gel Food Coloring: It packs color without watering down your batter, so your waffles stay fluffy and vibrant.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Whisk until smooth but avoid prolonged stirring to keep waffles tender and fluffy.
Glaze Thickness: Adjust the milk carefully for your preferred glaze texture—thin enough to drizzle but thick enough to coat your waffles beautifully.

How to Serve Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle some mini chocolate chips and a few fresh raspberries on top for a pop of color and extra flavor. Sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar or a few edible flowers makes it look fancy for brunch guests!

Side Dishes

Pair these waffles with crispy bacon or sausage for a salty contrast, and a side of fresh fruit like blueberries or kiwi to keep things light and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered waffles with extra cream cheese glaze and whipped cream between them to create a waffle ‘cake’—it’s a showstopper! You could also serve smaller waffle bites on skewers with little glaze dips for a fun finger food twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the cream cheese glaze in a separate jar in the fridge too—best to apply fresh glaze when serving.

Freezing

I like freezing the waffles in a single layer on a baking tray first, then transferring them to a freezer bag. They keep well for up to a month. Just freeze the glaze separately or make it fresh when thawed.

Reheating

Reheat waffles in a toaster or oven to revive that crisp exterior. Microwave makes them soft quickly but loses the crunch. After reheating, drizzle with room-temp cream cheese glaze, and you’re set for a delicious remake!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Absolutely! To mimic buttermilk’s tang, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk, stir, and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

How do I get the waffles crispy instead of soggy?

Make sure your waffle iron is fully preheated. Also, avoid stacking waffles right after cooking; instead, place them on a baking rack to keep air circulating, which helps maintain crispness.

Can I make the cream cheese glaze ahead of time?

Yes, the glaze can be made a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and give it a quick stir before serving. If it thickens too much, add a splash of milk and mix until smooth.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can swap the butter, cream cheese, and milk with plant-based alternatives. Choose a dairy-free cream cheese and use almond or oat milk. The texture might vary slightly, but it’s still delicious!

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s that perfect blend of nostalgic red velvet cake flavors with the fun, easy-to-make waffle format. Sharing them fresh with a drizzle of the creamy glaze always feels like a mini celebration. I can’t wait for you to try this and make it your own—because honestly, breakfast just got a whole lot better!