Fluffy Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze for a Romantic Brunch Recipe
Introduction
Fluffy Red Velvet Pancakes are a delightful twist on a classic breakfast favorite, perfect for a special Valentine’s brunch or anytime you want to impress. These pancakes feature a rich cocoa flavor with a vibrant red hue, topped with a smooth cream cheese glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness. They’re easy to make and sure to wow your guests or loved ones.

Ingredients
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour or gluten-free flour blend
- 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder, unsweetened Dutch-process recommended
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar or brown sugar for moisture
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, ensure fresh
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, ensure fresh
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt, no substitutions
- 1 cup Buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 large Egg, no substitutes without altering texture
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, pure recommended
- 2 tablespoons Melted Butter or coconut oil for vegan option
- 1 tablespoon Red Gel Food Coloring, natural alternatives alter taste
- For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar or granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons Extra Milk to adjust glaze consistency
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt until thoroughly blended.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, melted butter, and red gel food coloring. Whisk until smooth and uniform in color.
- Step 3: Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients just until combined. It’s okay to leave a few lumps to keep the pancakes light and fluffy.
- Step 4: Preheat a greased skillet over medium heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and edges look set, then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side.
- Step 5: To make the glaze, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and enough milk to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Step 6: Stack the pancakes, drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze, and garnish with optional toppings such as powdered sugar or fresh strawberries.
Tips & Variations
- Use brown sugar instead of granulated for a moister pancake with a hint of caramel flavor.
- Try coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free, vegan-friendly option.
- Swap red gel food coloring for natural beet juice powder for a more natural color, but expect a subtle earthy flavor.
- Serve with whipped cream or fresh berries for added indulgence and freshness.
Storage
Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a toaster or microwave before serving. Keep the cream cheese glaze separate and add it fresh to avoid soggy pancakes.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these pancakes without food coloring?
Yes, you can omit the red food coloring if you prefer. The pancakes will have a more traditional cocoa color but will still taste delicious. For a natural red hue, consider using beet juice powder, keeping in mind it may slightly alter the flavor.
Can I prepare the batter in advance?
It’s best to prepare the batter fresh for the fluffiest pancakes, but you can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately and combine them just before cooking. Avoid refrigerating the combined batter for extended periods as the leavening agents lose effectiveness.
PrintFluffy Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze for a Romantic Brunch Recipe
Fluffy Red Velvet Pancakes are a delightful twist on classic pancakes, perfect for a special Valentine’s brunch. These rich and tender cocoa-infused pancakes have a vibrant red color, complemented by a smooth cream cheese glaze that adds a sweet and tangy finish. Easy to prepare and wonderfully indulgent, these pancakes will impress your loved ones and brighten up any breakfast table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 pancakes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Pancakes
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour or gluten-free flour blend
- 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder (unsweetened Dutch-process recommended)
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar or brown sugar for moisture
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (ensure fresh)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda (ensure fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (no substitutions)
- 1 cup Buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 large Egg (no substitutes without altering texture)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (pure recommended)
- 2 tablespoons Melted Butter or coconut oil for vegan
- 1 tablespoon Red Gel Food Coloring (natural alternatives alter taste)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar or granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons Extra Milk to adjust glaze consistency
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional, to enhance flavor)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt until they are well combined and uniform in texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, melted butter, and red gel food coloring until the mixture is smooth and evenly colored.
- Blend Batter: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture until just combined. It’s important to leave a few lumps in the batter to maintain fluffiness; do not overmix.
- Preheat Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pancakes: Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges begin to set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown, approximately 1-2 more minutes.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Glaze: In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract (if using), and enough milk to reach a smooth, drizzleable consistency.
- Serve: Stack the pancakes high on plates, drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze, and garnish with optional toppings such as powdered sugar, fresh strawberries, or whipped cream.
Notes
- Serve with whipped cream for an extra indulgent experience.
- Use fresh baking powder and baking soda to ensure maximum rise and fluffiness.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- If natural red coloring is preferred, beet juice powder can be used but may slightly alter flavor.
- Try adding fresh strawberries or raspberries on top for a fruity twist.
- Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking to improve texture.
Keywords: red velvet pancakes, Valentine’s brunch, cream cheese glaze, fluffy pancakes, breakfast recipe, cocoa pancakes, easy pancake recipe

