Fluffy Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Introduction
These fluffy red velvet pancakes bring a delightful twist to your Valentine’s brunch with their vibrant color and rich, cocoa-infused flavor. Topped with a smooth cream cheese glaze, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious—perfect for a special morning treat.

Ingredients
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour or gluten-free flour blend
- 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Dutch-process Cocoa Powder
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 tablespoons Melted Butter or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon Red Gel Food Coloring
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened (for glaze)
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons Extra Milk (for glaze consistency)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, melted butter, and red gel food coloring until smooth.
- Step 3: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing just until combined. It’s okay to leave a few lumps to keep the pancakes tender.
- Step 4: Preheat a greased skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and cook until bubbles form on the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Flip carefully and cook until golden brown on the other side.
- Step 5: To make the cream cheese glaze, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add milk to reach your desired glaze consistency.
- Step 6: Stack the pancakes, drizzle generously with cream cheese glaze, and garnish with optional powdered sugar or fresh strawberries.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute coconut oil for butter to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- For a natural color alternative, use beet juice instead of red gel food coloring, but expect a slight change in taste.
- Serve with whipped cream or fresh berries to enhance the presentation and flavor.
Storage
Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a toaster or microwave until warm. Prepare the cream cheese glaze fresh each time for best texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to create a similar acidity that helps the pancakes rise.
How do I keep pancakes fluffy without overmixing the batter?
Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined; a few lumps are fine. Overmixing develops gluten and can make pancakes tough instead of fluffy.
PrintFluffy Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
These fluffy red velvet pancakes deliver a perfect blend of rich cocoa flavor and classic red velvet sweetness, ideal for a romantic Valentine’s brunch. Topped with a smooth cream cheese glaze, they impress with their vibrant color and tender texture, making your morning special and indulgent.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 pancakes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- 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
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt until fully blended.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, melted butter, and red gel food coloring until smooth and evenly colored.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined; some lumps should remain to ensure fluffiness.
- Cook Pancakes: Preheat and grease a skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Glaze: Beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a smooth, pourable glaze consistency.
- Serve: Stack the cooked pancakes, drizzle generously with cream cheese glaze, and optionally garnish with powdered sugar or fresh strawberries for a festive touch.
Notes
- Serve with whipped cream for an extra indulgent experience.
- Substitute coconut oil for butter to make the pancakes vegan.
- Use fresh baking powder and soda to ensure optimal rise and fluffiness.
- Natural red food coloring alternatives may alter the flavor and color vibrancy.
- Tried this recipe? Let us know how it was!
Keywords: red velvet pancakes, Valentine’s brunch, fluffy pancakes, cream cheese glaze, breakfast recipes, stovetop pancakes, cocoa pancakes

