If you’re the kind of person who believes breakfast should feel a little special—even on a random Tuesday—then you’re going to love this Red Velvet French Toast. It’s rich, slightly chocolatey, and totally indulgent, with the soft, custardy texture of classic French toast and all the decadence of red velvet cake. It’s perfect for brunches, holidays, anniversaries, or just those days when you want to treat yourself (or someone else) to something amazing.
I first made this on a whim for a Valentine’s Day breakfast, thinking it would be a fun twist on a regular morning meal—and wow, it completely blew us away. Since then, it’s made its way into our brunch rotation for birthdays, lazy Sundays, and even breakfast-for-dinner nights. There’s something about the deep red color and the hint of cocoa that makes it feel just a little more luxurious than your average French toast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Looks as good as it tastes – That deep red color is so eye-catching on a plate, especially with powdered sugar or cream cheese drizzle on top.
- Tastes like dessert for breakfast – But without being overly sweet. It hits that perfect balance.
- Easy to make – You don’t need any fancy tools—just a skillet and a mixing bowl.
- Great for special occasions – This is a showstopper on a brunch table.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prep it the night before and cook it fresh in the morning.
- Customizable toppings – From berries and whipped cream to cream cheese glaze or syrup, you can dress this up however you like.
- Kid- and crowd-approved – It’s festive, fun, and loved by picky eaters and grownups alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Brioche or challah bread – Thick-cut slices of soft bread soak up the custard beautifully. Day-old works best!
- Eggs – The base of your custard. They help bind everything together.
- Milk or half-and-half – For richness and moisture. You can also use heavy cream for an extra indulgent version.
- Cocoa powder – Just a little bit to give you that signature red velvet chocolate flavor.
- Red food coloring – For that bold red hue. Gel food coloring works best if you want a vibrant look.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and enhances the overall flavor.
- Sugar – A touch of sweetness in the custard. Optional, but recommended.
- Salt – Just a pinch to balance everything out.
- Butter – For frying the toast to golden, crispy perfection.
- Cream cheese glaze (optional) – Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk for the perfect topping.
- Toppings – Think fresh berries, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of maple syrup.
(Note: A complete list of ingredients with exact measurements is included in the instructions section below.)
How to Make It (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Step 1: Slice Your Bread
Cut thick slices of brioche or challah—about 3/4 to 1 inch thick is ideal. If your bread is fresh, let it sit out for a bit to dry out, or lightly toast it. Dry bread soaks up the custard better without falling apart.
Step 2: Make the Red Velvet Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk (or half-and-half), cocoa powder, vanilla extract, sugar, red food coloring, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and the cocoa powder is fully dissolved. You’re aiming for a rich, red custard base that lightly smells like chocolate cake batter.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Dip each slice of bread into the custard, letting it soak for about 20 seconds per side. Make sure it’s coated evenly but not overly soggy. Set the soaked slices aside on a plate.
Step 4: Cook the French Toast
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter. Once hot, add the soaked bread slices and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until each slice is golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside. Work in batches and add more butter as needed between batches.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Drizzle (Optional but Amazing)
In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk until smooth and pourable. You can adjust the milk amount depending on how thick or thin you want it.
Step 6: Plate and Serve
Stack the French toast on plates and top with your favorite toppings. A drizzle of the cream cheese glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a few fresh berries really take this over the top.
Helpful Tips
- Use slightly stale bread – Day-old bread works best because it soaks up the custard without getting too soggy.
- Don’t skip the cocoa powder – It’s what gives this recipe its “red velvet” vibe. You only need a little to get that subtle chocolate note.
- Control your heat – Medium heat is key. Too hot and you’ll burn the outside before the inside cooks through.
- Keep it warm – If you’re making a big batch, keep the finished slices warm in the oven at 200°F while you cook the rest.
- Meal prep it – Soak the bread slices in the custard and store them in a sealed container in the fridge overnight. In the morning, just cook and serve!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the custard and even soak the bread the night before. Store the slices in a single layer in a covered dish and fry them fresh in the morning.
Can I freeze Red Velvet French Toast?
Absolutely. Cook the French toast, let it cool completely, and freeze in a single layer. Reheat in a toaster oven or 350°F oven until warm and crispy.
What kind of bread works best?
Brioche, challah, or thick-cut Texas toast are perfect because they’re sturdy and soft. Avoid thin sandwich bread—it’ll fall apart.
Do I have to use food coloring?
Not at all! The food coloring is just for the classic red velvet look. You can skip it and still have a delicious chocolatey French toast.
How do I make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based milk (like almond or oat), skip the cream cheese glaze or make it with dairy-free cream cheese, and use vegan butter for cooking.
I make this Red Velvet French Toast any time I want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s especially great for holidays, brunch with friends, or just because you want to start your day with something special. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out—this one’s sure to earn a spot in your breakfast rotation!
Red Velvet French Toast
Ingredients
- 8 slices red velvet brioche or cake-style bread can use red velvet pound cake or thick red velvet bread
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Butter for cooking
- For the Cream Cheese Glaze optional but recommended:
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional toppings:
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Make the custard:
- In a shallow dish or bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined.
- Prepare the glaze (if using):
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Set aside.
- Dip the bread:
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt a little butter. Dip each slice of red velvet bread into the custard mixture, letting it soak for a few seconds on each side.
- Cook the French toast:
- Place the soaked slices onto the hot skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Add more butter to the pan as needed between batches.
- Serve:
- Stack the French toast on plates and drizzle with cream cheese glaze. Add fresh berries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or syrup as desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- If you can’t find red velvet bread, you can use homemade or store-bought red velvet loaf cake. Just slice it thickly so it holds up while soaking.
- Let the bread dry out slightly overnight for better absorption.
- Make it extra indulgent by layering the French toast with cream cheese glaze in between the slices.
- This is perfect for Valentine’s Day brunch, birthdays, or holiday mornings!
