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

There's something truly delightful about biting into fluffy, rich waffles that marry the bold color and subtle cocoa flavor of red velvet with the tangy sweetness of cream cheese. This Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is just the kind of indulgence that makes weekend mornings feel extra special.

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’ve made quite a few waffle recipes, but this one stands out because it’s a perfect balance of flavor, color, and creaminess. The cream cheese glaze truly takes these waffles to a new level, making every bite melt in your mouth.

Vibrant and Fun: The striking red hue from the gel food coloring adds a festive feel to your breakfast table that everyone will admire.
Moist and Fluffy: Thanks to buttermilk and careful ingredient choices, these waffles never dry out—they’re tender inside with just enough crisp on the outside.
Decadent but Easy: The cream cheese glaze is effortless to whip up but adds a luscious finish that feels luxurious.
Customizable: Whether you like your glaze thinner or thicker, or want to tweak sweetness levels, this recipe is flexible and forgiving.

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

Each ingredient in this recipe plays its own important role to achieve the perfect balance of texture, color, and flavor. I always recommend using good quality ingredients wherever possible—you’ll notice the difference immediately.

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 pre-mixed baking mix gives you a reliable base that produces light, fluffy waffles without fuss.
Brown sugar: Adds a hint of caramelized sweetness that pairs wonderfully with cocoa.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Brings the signature mild chocolate flavor essential in red velvet recipes.
Buttermilk: Provides tang and tenderizes the waffle crumb, making them perfectly soft inside.
Whole milk: Adds richness and balances the batter's consistency for perfect cooking.
Red gel food coloring: The concentrated coloring creates that deep red without altering flavor.
Egg: Gives structure and helps the waffles rise beautifully.
Melted butter: Infuses richness and promotes a crisp exterior.
Vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor with a sweet, aromatic note.
Butter (for glaze): Softened butter helps create a creamy, smooth base for the glaze.
Cream cheese: The tangy star of the glaze that perfectly complements the waffles.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze without graininess.
Milk (for glaze): Adjusts the glaze consistency to your liking.

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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 love to experiment by adjusting the glaze consistency depending on how I’m serving the waffles. Sometimes I want a pourable glaze, other times a thicker spread that's more like frosting. You might find you want your waffles a little less sweet or with added textures too.

Variation: I often skip the brown sugar for a less sweet waffle since the cream cheese glaze adds enough sweetness on its own.
Dietary adjustment: For a dairy-free version, try swapping buttermilk with almond milk and using a vegan cream cheese alternative; the flavor shifts, but still delicious.
Extras: Fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts to your batter for added texture and bursts of 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 silky smooth—I usually use a hand mixer for this. Then add powdered sugar gradually, beating until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Be sure to scrape down the bowl sides regularly to avoid any stubborn lumps. Finally, stir in milk and vanilla extract to reach your preferred glaze thickness. Set aside while you prepare the waffles.

Step 2: Mix the Red Velvet Waffle Batter

I like to whisk dry ingredients—Bisquick, brown sugar, and cocoa powder—together first to make sure the cocoa gets evenly distributed. Then add buttermilk, milk, red food coloring, egg, melted butter, and vanilla, combining everything until the batter is smooth. It usually only takes a minute or two; avoid overmixing to keep waffles tender.

Step 3: Cook to Perfection

Heat your waffle iron and pour about ¾ cup of batter onto the surface—adjust based on your waffle maker's size. Close the lid and cook for around 4 to 5 minutes, but keep an eye on your iron's instructions. The waffles are done when they lift easily without sticking and have a slight crisp outside with a soft center.

Step 4: Serve with Cream Cheese Glaze

Drizzle your cream cheese glaze generously over the warm waffles (I never skimp here!), and enjoy right away for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth experience. Keep cooking and serving until the batter is all used up.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference with this Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe, helping you avoid common hiccups and step up your brunch game.

Softened Ingredients Matter: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened at room temperature—it makes the glaze silky without lumps.
Don’t Skip Scraping the Bowl: When mixing the glaze and batter, scrape down the sides often to ensure nothing gets left behind and your texture stays perfect.
Keep the Waffle Iron Hot: Preheat fully before cooking the first waffle to get that crisp outside every time—testing with a drop of water can help.
Adjust Milk in Glaze: If your glaze feels too thick to drizzle, add more milk a teaspoon at a time until you reach just the right pourable consistency.

How to Serve Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of simple, fresh garnishes like a handful of fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries to add brightness and a little contrast to the creamy glaze. A light dusting of powdered sugar or white chocolate shavings also look elegant for a special breakfast treat.

Side Dishes

I usually serve these waffles with crispy bacon or sausage links to balance the sweetness, plus a side of scrambled eggs or fresh fruit salad. The combination hits all the right notes for a well-rounded brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday mornings or birthdays, stacking the waffles into a colorful tower and sandwiching in extra glaze between layers really wows guests. I also like folding whipped cream and berries into a parfait alongside the waffles for a layered breakfast experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I stack leftover waffles with parchment paper between them and store in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps them from getting soggy and makes reheating easy.

Freezing

These waffles freeze beautifully. I flash freeze them laid flat on a baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top bag. That way, they don’t stick together, and I can grab as many as I want for a speedy breakfast later.

Reheating

Reheat your waffles in a toaster or oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to restore that crisp exterior and soft inside. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the texture perfect, but it works in a pinch!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk in this recipe?

Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken and curdle slightly. This homemade buttermilk works well in the recipe.

How do I make the cream cheese glaze thinner or thicker?

To make the glaze thinner and more pourable, just add milk a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. To thicken it into more of a frosting, reduce the milk to only about ¼ cup or chill the glaze in the fridge for a bit before using.

Can I make these waffles ahead of time for a crowd?

Definitely! You can prepare the batter in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can also cook the waffles ahead, freeze them, and reheat later, which makes serving a crowd hassle-free and quick.

What’s the best way to store leftover waffles?

Store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the fridge with parchment paper between each waffle to prevent sticking. For longer storage, flash freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat in the oven or toaster for best texture.

Final Thoughts

Making this Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe always feels like a little celebration in my kitchen. The gorgeous color, the tender texture, and the creamy, tangy glaze all come together to create something truly memorable. I hope you’ll give this recipe a go—it’s one of those treats that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat. Trust me, you’ll want to make these again and again for special mornings and whenever you want to impress family or friends.