Red Velvet French Toast
This unique recipe gives classic french toast a red velvet makeover. Serve this Red Velvet French Toast on Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or anytime you’re craving a red velvet treat!
Red velvet is arguably the best flavor that’s ever been invented. The unique combination of buttermilk and cocoa powder in red velvet recipes infuses any baked good or breakfast food with a tangy, chocolate-y flavor that’s impossible to resist.
And, of course, who can resist any dish that’s such a vibrant shade of red? Not me, that’s for sure!
Today my red velvet obsession is being taken to new heights in the form of this unique red velvet french toast recipe. It’s as easy to prepare as regular french toast, just with a few simple additions to the batter to impart that classic red velvet flavor.
This would be the perfect french toast to make on Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Make it for yourself or for a loved one, everyone deserves a slice of red velvet french toast!
Red Velvet French Toast Ingredients
The ingredients needed for this unique french toast recipe are simple:
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- Red food coloring
- Thickly sliced bread (Texas toast or brioche would both work)
- Butter
I opted to top my french toast with a cream cheese drizzle; the full ingredient list can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Red Velvet French Toast
As I mentioned previously, making red velvet french toast is just as easy as making classic french toast. Here are the basic recipe steps:
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla, and food coloring until no lumps remain.
- Dip each slice of bread into egg mixture and flip to ensure each slice is fully saturated.
- Melt some butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Transfer the bread slices to the preheated skillet and cook on each side until golden brown. You’ll need to cook the french toast in batches.
- Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over your stack of warm french toast and dig in!
What’s the Best Bread for French Toast?
I recommend using a thick-cut, fluffy white bread. Brioche or Texas toast would be perfect for this recipe. Avoid any bread with a thick crust otherwise the french toast will wind up being tough and chewy.
Can This Recipe Be Made in Advance?
Yes, but I only recommend doing so if you’re meal prepping the french toast for yourself. (Freshly made french toast is always going to be better!)
To prep the recipe in advance:
- Make the red velvet french toast as instructed.
- After cooking the french toast, immediately place it on a wire cooling rack to cool to room temperature.
- Once cool, lay the french toast slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze for about 1 hour, or until hard.
- Transfer the frozen french toast to a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to eat, reheat from frozen in the toaster or in a 325ºF oven.
Note that the cream cheese drizzle should be frozen in a separate container.
Tips for Making Red Velvet French Toast
- Depending on the type of food coloring you use, you might need to add more or less than the recipe calls for.
- I topped the french toast with a cream cheese drizzle, but pure maple syrup or powdered sugar can also be used.
- If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can use 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and enough milk to fill one cup of liquid.
Looking for Unique French Toast Recipes? I’ve Got You Covered!
- Peppermint French Toast
- French Toast Roll Ups
- Banana Croissant French Toast
- Eggnog French Toast Bake
- Brioche French Toast
Red Velvet French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, (or vanilla extract)
- 4-5 drops red food coloring
- 8 slices thick bread, such as brioche or Texas toast
- Butter for melting in skillet
Cream Cheese Drizzle
- 3 ounces cream cheese, (softened)
- 2-3 tablespoons milk, (I used 2%)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, (or vanilla extract)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk (see note below), sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla, and food coloring until no lumps remain. If needed, add more food color to deepen the color.
- Dip each slice of bread into egg mixture and flip to ensure each slice is fully saturated.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, transfer bread slices to skillet and cook on each side for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Repeat with rest of bread slices.
- To make the cream cheese drizzle: in a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, milk, sugar, and vanilla with a hand mixer until smooth. If needed, add more milk so that mixture thins out. Drizzle over French toast and serve immediately.
Notes
- French toast will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- If you don't have buttermilk on-hand, you can use 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and enough milk to fill one cup of liquid.
