The Best Red Velvet Pancakes Recipe

There’s something undeniably magical about red velvet treats around Valentine’s Day. The vibrant red color instantly brings warmth and romance to any dessert table, making every bite feel like a celebration. And if the emotional feeling wasn’t enough, the flavor alone is a reason to get excited.

The combination of the rich depth of chocolate with the tangy creaminess of buttermilk creates a flavor and textural balance that is specifically unique and iconic of red velvet. Whether you’re celebrating with your significant other, whole family, or just by yourself, these fluffy pancakes deliver the red velvet flavor that you’re looking for.

I personally love making these as a special treat for my husband around this time because I know it will make his day every time. Plus like he said, this is literally desserts for breakfast so how can he not be happy with it! And of course, if you want an actual dessert check out this strawberry pound cake which is always a hit too!

Since you are here and love red velvet recipes, check out these Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes, these CRUMBL Red Velvet Cookies, and this Classic Red Velvet Cake Recipe.

Ingredients for this fluffy red velvet pancakes recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make these delicious pancakes. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

For the Pancakes

• All-Purpose Flour: forms the structure of the pancakes.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: adds part of the red velvet flavor and is what separates these from a traditional pancake.
• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: react with the acidity of the buttermilk to create extra light and airy pancakes.
• Salt: enhances the overall flavor and balances the sugar.
• Granulated Sugar: provides just the right amount of sweetness to complement the cocoa.
• Egg: helps to bind the ingredients together.
• Buttermilk: adds tanginess and moisture and creates the chemical reaction with the baking soda for a fluffier texture.
• Whole Milk: helps thin out the batter for the perfect pouring consistency.
• Melted Butter: adds the richness to keep the pancakes soft. You’ll need a little extra to be used for greasing the pan.
• Vanilla Extract: enhances the flavor with a fragrant aroma.
• Red Food Coloring: gives these chocolate pancakes their red hue.

For the Cream Cheese Icing

• Cream Cheese: creates a rich and tangy base for the glaze. Plus cream cheese and red velvet anything are a match made in heaven!
• Butter: adds smoothness to the glaze for a velvety texture.
• Powdered Sugar: sweetens the glaze while helping achieve a pourable consistency.
• Milk: thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling viscosity.
• Vanilla Extract: adds depth of flavor and balances the tanginess.

How to make this red velvet pancake recipe

This is how you can make this red pancake with cream cheese topping recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions! 

Prepare

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.
2. Whisk the buttermilk, whole milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth and well incorporated in a separate bowl.
3. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, gently folding with a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid over mixing and don’t be afraid of some lumps; they are perfectly fine!
4. Let the pancake batter rest for 10 minutes while you make the cream cheese glaze.
5. In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
6. Add in and mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If needed, adjust the consistency by adding a little more milk. Set aside.

Cook

1. Preheat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly coat it with butter.
2. Pour about ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot griddle surface. If the batter is thick, gently spread it out with the back of a spoon or measuring cup.
3. Cook pancakes until small bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to set, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fluffy and fully cooked through.
4. Stack the cooked pancakes on a plate, layering with cream cheese glaze in between if desired. I also added a drizzle of that glaze and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, they were perfect!

Tips and Tricks for the best homemade pancake recipes

• Use a kitchen scale to measure the dry ingredients to get a more accurate reading than measuring cups.
• Make sure not to over mix and to let the batter rest. Both create better, fluffier pancakes.
• Cook the pancakes low and slow to prevent them from browning too quickly before the inside is fully cooked. If they cook too fast, they may turn out dry instead of soft and fluffy.

Why do you need to make this recipe?

• There’s no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day morning than with a stack of red velvet pancakes.
• This easy recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store.
• They’re not just great for Valentine’s Day but can also be used for Christmas morning as well!
• This recipe is easily customizable and can multiple flavor options added.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What can I use to top the pancakes?

• Drizzle more cream cheese glaze over the top and finish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or fresh fruit like bananas or berries.
• Add heart-shaped sprinkles for an extra special festive touch.
• Or keep it classic with traditional maple syrup.

What exactly is red velvet?

Classic red velvet is traditionally made from the combination of chocolate flavor and the tanginess of buttermilk. Back in the day, cocoa powder used to be alkalized so it was useful to add buttermilk’s acidity. And once that chemical reaction happened, it turned the chocolate red hence giving it the name.

What makes red velvet pancakes different from regular pancakes?

What makes this red velvet pancake special is that it’s the perfect balance between a regular and chocolate pancake. It combines the buttermilk of a traditional pancake recipe and the cocoa of a chocolate pancake and finds a unique middle ground between the two. Take that and pair it with the cream cheese icing and you get this delicious recipe!

How do I store my leftover pancakes?

Put your leftover pancakes in an airtight container or plastic bag and store them in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days.

How can I make this recipe ahead of time?

The best way would be to prepare the dry ingredient mix, wet ingredient mix, and cream cheese glaze and keep them separate until you’re ready to make for the freshest flavor. Or you could mix the wet and dry ingredients to make the batter, but only if you’re going to make it the next day.

Of course, you could always just cook the pancakes ahead of time and keep them separate from the icing. Then reheat and top them once you’re ready to serve.

What kind of flavor mix-ins can I add?

Chopped nuts like peanuts or pecans, white chocolate chips, or chopped strawberries would be great flavor additions to the red velvet pancakes recipe.

The Best Red Velvet Pancakes Recipe

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