Heavenly Red Velvet French Toast Recipe: A Sweet Morning Miracle

Breakfast transforms into a decadent experience with this red velvet French toast that combines classic comfort with a vibrant twist.

Rich crimson hues peek through golden-brown edges, promising a delightful morning indulgence.

The recipe blends traditional French toast techniques with the beloved bakery favorite of red velvet cake.

Soft, pillowy bread becomes a canvas for luxurious flavors and stunning color.

Cream cheese drizzle adds a tangy complement to the sweet, cocoa-infused bread.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of texture and taste that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

You’ll want to savor every moment of this show-stopping breakfast creation.

Red Velvet French Toast Preparation Steps

• Dough Preparation

Mix flour, cocoa, yeast, sugar, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Create a soft, vibrant mixture by adding warm water, vegetable oil, red food coloring, vanilla, and eggs. Blend until smooth and silky.

• Kneading Adventure

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Work the mixture with your hands, stretching and folding for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes elastic and springy.

• Rising Moment

Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel. Let it rest in a cozy, warm spot for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size, looking puffy and promising.

• Shaping Strategy

Gently shape the risen dough into a loaf, nestling it into an oiled pan. Allow another 30-45 minute rise, watching it become beautifully rounded.

• Baking Transformation

Heat oven to 350°F. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until it develops a gorgeous, deep color. Cool completely before slicing.

• French Toast Magic

Dip bread slices into a creamy custard mixture. Sizzle in a buttered skillet until each side turns a gorgeous golden brown.

• Dreamy Topping

Whip cream cheese and butter into a silky frosting. Sprinkle powdered sugar and vanilla for extra decadence. Generously spread over warm toast.

Extra Ideas and Flavors to Try

• Mix a dash of extra cocoa powder into the custard for deeper red velvet richness.
• Pat bread slices dry with paper towels before dipping to ensure crispy, perfectly golden edges during cooking.
• Wrap leftover French toast in foil and refrigerate for up to three days. Reheat in toaster oven for maximum crispness.
• Prepare bread dough the night before and let it slow-rise in the refrigerator for more complex, developed flavors.
• Experiment with cream cheese drizzle variations by adding orange zest, cinnamon, or a splash of bourbon for unexpected flavor depth.

Serving Suggestions for a Sweet Red Velvet Breakfast

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair this decadent red velvet French toast with a fresh mixed berry compote that complements its rich chocolate undertones and adds a tangy brightness to each bite.
• Creamy Dreamy Topping: Drizzle the warm French toast with extra cream cheese frosting, creating a luxurious cascade of sweetness that enhances the dessert-like quality of this breakfast treat.
• Coffee Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a steaming mug of dark roast coffee or a smooth cappuccino, which will beautifully balance the sweetness and highlight the subtle chocolate notes in the red velvet bread.
• Elegant Garnish Idea: Sprinkle some powdered sugar or finely chopped toasted pecans on top for a delightful texture contrast and visual appeal that makes the dish look professionally prepared.

Making Ahead and Saving French Toast Leftovers

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Fresh Bread Strategy: Store cooled red velvet bread in airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping moisture sealed and preventing staleness.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Wrap french toast slices individually in plastic wrap or wax paper, then place inside sealed container to maintain texture for up to 4 days in refrigerator.
• Freezing Magic: Layer french toast between parchment paper sheets inside freezer-safe container; can stay frozen for 1-2 months without losing quality or flavor.
• Reheat Technique: Warm refrigerated or frozen french toast in toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, ensuring crispy exterior and warm center without becoming soggy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 9

Red Velvet French Toast Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the bread with soft, fine texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate undertone and deep red velvet color to the dough.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial for bread rising, creating airy and light texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps yeast activate and provides subtle sweetness to the bread.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Red Food Coloring: Delivers signature vibrant red velvet appearance.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and softness in bread texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting background flavor.

• Large Eggs, Whole Milk: Creates rich, silky custard base for French toast.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens custard and helps caramelization during cooking.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate notes in custard.
• Ground Cinnamon: Optional warm spice that complements chocolate flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out custard's complexity with aromatic sweetness.

• Cream Cheese, Unsalted Butter: Provide creamy, luxurious base for frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds delicate flavor complexity.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting's thickness for perfect drizzling or spreading.

Kitchen Must-Haves for Red Velvet French Toast

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients.
• Skillet or frying pan: Perfect for cooking the French toast to golden perfection.
• Whisk: Needed for blending custard and creating smooth frosting.
• Loaf pan: Crucial for baking the red velvet bread.
• Mixing spatula: Helps fold ingredients and scrape bowl edges.
• Cutting board: Use for kneading dough and slicing bread.
• Baking sheet: Optional for cooling bread after baking.

Decadent Red Velvet French Toast Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Red velvet french toast delivers a luxurious breakfast experience that combines classic Southern charm with French culinary technique. Rich cocoa-infused bread creates a delightful morning indulgence you will savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 0.25 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 packet (2.25 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 0.25 cup vegetable oil
• 2 to 3 tbsps milk
• Butter or oil for cooking

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Blend dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, yeast, sugar, salt) in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform base.
2. Liquid Integration: Pour warm water, vegetable oil, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and eggs into dry mixture, whisking until achieving a smooth, consistent texture.
3. Dough Development: Gradually fold remaining flour into the mixture, kneading vigorously on a floured surface for 7-10 minutes until elastic and supple.
4. First Rise: Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, drape with a kitchen towel, and let rest in a warm environment for 1-2 hours until volume doubles.
5. Shaping and Second Rise: Form dough into a loaf, place in a greased pan, and allow secondary proofing for 30-45 minutes while preheating oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. Baking Process: Bake bread for 30-35 minutes until exterior turns golden, then cool completely before slicing.
7. Custard Preparation: Whisk together custard ingredients, creating a rich, smooth dipping mixture for bread slices.
8. French Toast Cooking: Dip bread slices thoroughly in custard, then sear in butter-coated skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior.
9. Frosting Finale: Blend cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and vanilla extract, adjusting milk for optimal spreading consistency, then lavishly coat warm French toast before serving.

Notes

• Yeast Activation: Ensure water temperature is between 110-115°F to activate yeast without killing it, guaranteeing proper dough rising.
• Dough Kneading Technique: Develop gluten structure by kneading consistently, creating a smooth, elastic texture that supports bread’s final structure.
• Rising Environment: Choose a draft-free, warm spot around 80-85°F for optimal dough expansion, preventing uneven or slow fermentation.
• Moisture Control: Pat bread slices gently after custard dipping to remove excess liquid, preventing soggy French toast and ensuring crisp, golden edges.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg