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 the mix of rich red velvet and fluffy waffles, finished with a luscious cream cheese glaze. This Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is one of those special treats that turns any morning into a celebration of flavor and texture.

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 still remember the first time I made these red velvet waffles—they wowed everyone at the breakfast table with their vibrant color and that tangy cream cheese glaze. It’s the perfect combo of fluffy yet moist waffles with a sweet, smooth topping that’s not too heavy.

Vibrant & Visual: The beautiful red hue and cream cheese glaze make these waffles as gorgeous as they are delicious.
Easy to Whip Up: Using Bisquick and simple pantry staples keeps it straightforward without sacrificing flavor.
Perfect Balance: The cocoa in the waffles adds subtle depth while the glaze offers just the right sweetness.
Customizable: You can tweak the sweetness or tint the glaze thickness to match your mood or occasion.

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

Every ingredient here plays a role in creating that unbeatable texture and flavor combo. Let me walk you through why I love each one and how it helps make this Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe phenomenal.

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 baking mix simplifies life, giving the waffles a light, airy texture without extra fuss.
Brown sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness with a subtle molasses note that pairs wonderfully with cocoa.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Deepens the flavor and enhances that classic red velvet base without overpowering.
Buttermilk: It tenderizes the waffles and adds a slight tang that contrasts nicely with the sweet glaze.
Whole milk: Balances the batter’s consistency, making it smooth and easy to pour.
Red gel food coloring: The secret to that eye-catching red color — gel works better than liquid for intensity without thinning the batter.
Egg: Gives structure and a fluffy finish.
Melted butter: Adds richness and helps create crispy edges on the waffles.
Vanilla extract: A little magic that boosts flavor depth in both batter and glaze.
Butter (for the glaze): Makes the cream cheese glaze silky smooth and spreadable.
Cream cheese (for glaze): That tangy cream cheese punch is what makes the glaze irresistible.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze perfectly.

📝

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 keep this recipe flexible. Sometimes I swap out the buttermilk with homemade buttermilk (milk plus a splash of vinegar) if I’m out. Other times, I play with the glaze thickness depending on how decadent I want it. Don’t be shy about adapting it to your taste!

Variation: For a less sweet waffle, skip the brown sugar—since the cream cheese glaze adds plenty of sweetness, it balances beautifully.
Dietary: You can try using dairy-free cream cheese and milk alternatives for a vegan-friendly twist.
Seasonal: For fall mornings, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon into the batter for warmth and coziness.

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 together softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is nice and smooth, with no lumps. Then, add your powdered sugar and continue beating until the glaze looks light and fluffy. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of your bowl to keep everything well mixed — this simple step ensures your glaze is silky and lump-free. Finally, stir in the milk and vanilla extract, which help thin the glaze to just the right consistency.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the Bisquick mix, brown sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder. This combination brings that deep chocolate flavor and a subtle sweetness to your waffles.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients into Batter

Add the buttermilk, whole milk, red gel food coloring, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract to your dry mix. Whisk until you get a smooth, vibrant red batter with no streaks—this is where the magic begins! If it looks a bit thick, that’s okay; it should be pourable but not runny.

Step 4: Cook to Fluffy, Crispy Perfection

Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I usually pour about ¾ cup of batter per waffle—this fits my standard waffle maker perfectly. Close it and cook for 4-5 minutes. Your waffle iron might be different, so keep an eye on it. When they’re done, the waffles should pull away easily and be soft inside with a little crisp on the outside. That contrast is exactly what you want!

Step 5: Serve with Cream Cheese Glaze

Drizzle your cream cheese glaze generously over warm waffles. The glaze melts slightly on the hot surface, creating a luxurious, tangy-sweet finish that’ll have you coming back for seconds!

Top Tip

From my experience making this recipe dozens of times, a few little tricks make all the difference between good and GREAT red velvet waffles.

Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel coloring provides a vibrant red without thinning your batter like liquid food coloring can.
Scrape Your Bowl Well: When making the glaze, scrape down the sides often to avoid lumps and make it extra smooth.
Preheat the Waffle Iron Thoroughly: A well-heated iron gives you reliably crispy edges and prevents sticking.
Adjust Glaze Thickness: Adding more milk thins the glaze to drizzle consistency; less milk thickens it for a frosting-like spread.

How to Serve Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I like to top mine with a sprinkle of fresh berries—like raspberries or strawberries—to add brightness and a little texture contrast. A dusting of powdered sugar or a few chopped nuts can also jazz up the presentation and give an extra crunch.

Side Dishes

Red velvet waffles pair beautifully with crispy bacon or a side of fresh fruit salad. For a brunch spread, I serve them alongside scrambled eggs and a pot of coffee or fresh orange juice—simple but elevated.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve stacked waffles layered with cream cheese glaze and fresh cream, topped with edible flowers and a drizzle of berry syrup. It turns a simple breakfast into a fancy, Instagram-worthy treat that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I keep leftover waffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking. This way, I can enjoy them for another breakfast or snack easily.

Freezing

Freezing is a lifesaver! I flash freeze individual waffles on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When I want one, I pop them straight into the toaster or oven—no thawing needed. They come out surprisingly close to freshly made.

Reheating

For best texture, I reheat waffles in a toaster or oven rather than a microwave. This keeps them crisp on the outside and soft inside. A few minutes at 350°F usually does the trick perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the cream cheese glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the cream cheese glaze a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature and give it a quick whip before serving to make it smooth and spreadable.

What if I don’t have buttermilk on hand?

No worries—just mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of regular milk, let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken, and use it as a buttermilk substitute in the recipe.

How do I get vibrant red color without staining my hands?

Using gel food coloring is your best bet for deep, vibrant color. It’s thicker, so you’ll use less and it won’t drip or stain as much as liquid food coloring. Wearing gloves when mixing colorful batter can also help keep your hands clean.

Can I make these waffles gluten-free?

You can substitute the Bisquick with a gluten-free baking mix of similar volume, but results may vary. Make sure your mix contains baking powder and other leavening agents to keep waffles light and fluffy.

Final Thoughts

Making these red velvet waffles with cream cheese glaze has become one of my favorite weekend rituals. They're fun to whip up, super impressive to serve, and oh-so-delicious with that creamy glaze melting over warm, fluffy waffles. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a go-to breakfast — or brunch — that you’ll want to share with friends and family again and again.