Red Velvet Waffles Maple

The morning light hit our kitchen table just right when I first pulled these red velvet waffles from the iron. My youngest stood on a chair, eyes wide, whispering 'Are we eating cake for breakfast?' That question became our Saturday tradition, and now the smell of cocoa and buttermilk instantly makes everyone wander into the kitchen, drawn by something sweet baking before they've even rubbed the sleep from their eyes.

Last Valentine's Day, I made a double batch for bed and breakfast guests who'd requested something 'romantic but not over the top.' They returned three months later, booked another weekend, and the husband admitted he'd spent weeks trying to replicate these at home. The secret, I told him, was in that gentle fold together and trusting the waffle iron's timer instead of constantly peeking.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure while staying tender enough for a morning treat
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder: Just enough to deepen the flavor without turning these into chocolate waffles
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar: Balances the slight tang from buttermilk and keeps these from tasting too savory
• 2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp baking soda: This combination creates the impressive lift that makes them so fluffy
• 1/2 tsp salt: Essential for waking up all the other flavors
• 2 large eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better and help create that perfect airy texture
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk: The acid activates the baking soda and creates the most tender crumb imaginable
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the edges crisp up beautifully
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: Pure vanilla makes everything taste homemade and comforting
• 1 tbsp red food coloring: Creates that signature ruby red color that makes these feel special
• 1/3 cup maple syrup: Warm syrup over these waffles is what breakfast dreams are made of
• 1/2 cup whipped cream and fresh berries: Optional but highly recommended for the full experience

Instructions

Preheat your waffle iron:

Let it heat fully while you prepare the batter so each waffle gets that golden crisp exterior from the moment it hits the iron

Whisk the dry ingredients together:

Combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until everything is evenly distributed

Mix the wet ingredients separately:

Beat eggs then add buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until the mixture turns a beautiful uniform pink

Combine wet and dry ingredients:

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined, leaving some small lumps intact

Grease the waffle iron:

A light coating of nonstick spray or melted butter ensures those perfect waffle pockets release without sticking

Cook until perfectly crisp:

Pour about 1/2 to 2/3 cup batter per waffle and cook according to your iron's instructions, usually 3 to 5 minutes until steam stops and they're golden

Save Pin

These became my daughters birthday morning request after her friend slept over and declared them 'fancy restaurant waffles.' Now every year, I wake up to find sticky notes on the kitchen counter reminding me to buy buttermilk, the only ingredient I somehow never seem to have on hand when February rolls around.

Making Ahead And Storage

Mix the dry ingredients the night before and keep them in a sealed container to make morning prep feel almost effortless. Leftover waffles freeze beautifully and can be popped into the toaster for a quick weekday upgrade that tastes just as good as fresh.

Serving Suggestions

Warm your maple syrup before pouring so it soaks into every pocket instead of sitting on top. A dusting of powdered sugar over the whipped cream makes these look professionally plated while taking literally two seconds.

Customization Ideas

Fold chocolate chips into the batter right before cooking if you want extra indulgence, or swap the food coloring for beet juice to make these naturally red. The recipe adapts beautifully to dietary needs with plant-based substitutions that still deliver on texture.

• Serve alongside crispy bacon or sausage for that sweet and salty combination
• Top with sliced strawberries instead of berries when they are in season and perfectly ripe
• Make mini waffles for a brunch buffet and let guests build their own perfect stack

Save Pin

There is something genuinely joyful about cutting into a stack of red velvet waffles, the syrup pooling around the edges and steam rising into the morning air. These turn breakfast into memory making without demanding anything more than thirty minutes and a hungry table.