If you are craving a breakfast treat that feels both luxurious and comforting, the Red Velvet French Toast with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe is exactly what you need. This recipe takes classic French toast to the next level with the rich, velvety red hue and subtle cocoa notes, all beautifully complemented by a luscious cream cheese drizzle. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and fluffy textures that will make your morning feel special and indulgent.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is the secret behind this recipe’s rich flavor and vibrant look. Each element plays a key role, whether it’s lending moisture, sweetness, or that signature red velvet charm.
- Thick-cut brioche or challah bread: Choose slightly stale slices for better absorption without falling apart.
- Large eggs: These bind the custard mixture and add richness to the toast.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess and helps create the custard base for soaking the bread.
- Sugar: Sweetens the custard just enough to enhance the flavor without overpowering the cocoa.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm aroma that brings the whole dish together.
- Cocoa powder: The subtle chocolate element essential for classic red velvet taste.
- Red food coloring: Boosts the color to that iconic vibrant red, giving this French toast its show-stopping appearance.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a hint of spice that complements the chocolate notes perfectly.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor complexity.
- Unsalted butter: For cooking the French toast to a perfect golden crust.
- Cream cheese (softened): Key ingredient for the drizzle, offering a tangy contrast to the sweet toast.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese drizzle to perfection.
- Heavy cream: Helps achieve the ideal silky texture for the drizzle.
- Maple syrup or whipped cream: Optional toppings that add extra indulgence to your serving.
How to Make Red Velvet French Toast with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Red Velvet Custard
Start by whisking together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, red food coloring, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. This rich custard mixture is where the magic begins, infusing the bread with that signature red velvet flavor and velvety texture.
Step 2: Preheat and Butter Your Pan
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a bit of unsalted butter to create a beautifully golden surface for your French toast. This step ensures a crispy, buttery crust while keeping the inside soft and tender.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Dip each slice of the thick-cut bread into the custard, making sure both sides are fully coated but not soggy. The thickness of brioche or challah is perfect here—they soak up just the right amount of custard for rich flavor without falling apart.
Step 4: Cook Until Golden Brown
Place the soaked bread slices on your buttered pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side. Look for that beautiful golden color and a slightly crispy edge; this contrast with the soft inside is what makes this dish irresistible.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Drizzle
While the French toast is cooking, mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and heavy cream in a small bowl. Whisk them together until smooth and pourable. The creamy, tangy drizzle perfectly complements the sweet, chocolaty toast.
Step 6: Plate and Drizzle
Serve the warm Red Velvet French Toast with the cream cheese drizzle generously poured over. Add optional maple syrup or whipped cream on top to taste, and prepare for a breakfast that feels both luxurious and homey.
How to Serve Red Velvet French Toast with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Red Velvet French Toast with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe even further, consider garnishing with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries. They add a tart freshness that contrasts beautifully with the sweet toast and creamy drizzle.
Side Dishes
A light side such as crispy bacon or turkey sausage works wonderfully to balance the richness of the French toast. Fresh fruit salad or a simple green smoothie can also brighten the plate and keep things feeling fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the French toast slices for a towering breakfast showpiece and drizzle the cream cheese sauce between the layers as well as on top. Sprinkle some crushed nuts or chocolate shavings for added texture and visual interest that makes your dish even more Instagram-worthy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Red Velvet French Toast with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe should be cooled completely and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the toast moist and the cream cheese drizzle fresh for quick warm-ups later.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked French toast slices separately on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Freeze the cream cheese drizzle separately in a small container to keep it fresh until you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warm and crisp again. Heat the cream cheese drizzle gently in the microwave or a warm water bath before drizzling it fresh on the toast.
FAQs
Can I use regular bread instead of brioche or challah?
While you can, thick-cut brioche or challah is best because they soak up the custard without falling apart, offering a slightly sweet, tender texture that regular bread might not achieve.
Is there a substitute for red food coloring?
You can use natural alternatives like beet juice or powdered freeze-dried raspberries to achieve a red hue, though the color may be less vibrant than with traditional food coloring.
Can I make the cream cheese drizzle ahead of time?
Yes, the cream cheese drizzle can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Just whisk it again before serving to restore its smooth texture.
What if I want a vegan version of this recipe?
Try using plant-based milks, egg substitutes like flaxseed meal, vegan butter for cooking, and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the drizzle. The texture and flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I prevent the French toast from being soggy?
Make sure to soak the bread just long enough to absorb custard but not to oversaturate it. Also, cooking over medium heat allows the toast to cook through without burning or becoming soggy.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like starting your day with a dish that feels both festive and comforting, and the Red Velvet French Toast with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe does just that. Its vibrant color, delicate cocoa flavor, and luscious cream cheese drizzle come together to create a breakfast that’s a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Give this recipe a try and make your mornings unforgettable with each rich, delicious bite.
Print
Red Velvet French Toast with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Red Velvet French Toast is a delicious twist on the classic breakfast favorite, featuring thick-cut brioche dipped in a rich, cocoa-infused egg mixture with vibrant red food coloring, cooked to golden perfection. Served with a smooth cream cheese glaze and maple syrup or whipped cream, this indulgent recipe makes for a delightful treat perfect for special mornings.
Ingredients
Bread and Egg Mixture
- 4 slices thick-cut brioche or challah bread
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for cooking)
Cream Cheese Drizzle
- 1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
To Serve
- Maple syrup or whipped cream
- Fresh berries (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, red food coloring, ground cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined to create the flavorful custard base for the French toast.
- Preheat the Skillet: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of unsalted butter to grease the surface, ensuring the French toast will cook evenly without sticking.
- Soak the Bread: Dip each slice of thick-cut brioche or challah bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides thoroughly but not soaking to the point of falling apart, then immediately place the bread onto the heated skillet or griddle.
- Cook the French Toast: Cook each slice for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until each side turns golden brown and the bread is cooked through. Add more butter to the skillet as needed between batches to maintain a non-stick surface and rich flavor.
- Make the Cream Cheese Drizzle: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy cream. Whisk until smooth and slightly thick but pourable; add a little more heavy cream if needed to reach the desired consistency for drizzling.
- Serve: Plate the warm French toast slices, drizzle the cream cheese glaze on top, and finish with a generous serving of maple syrup or whipped cream. Optionally, garnish with fresh berries to add color and freshness.
Notes
- Use thick-cut brioche or challah for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of red food coloring depending on color preference.
- If cream cheese is too firm, soften it by microwaving for 10-15 seconds before mixing.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the milk, butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture; French toast can become soggy if left to sit.
- Fresh berries add a nice contrast but are optional.
