Red velvet waffles

Makes: About 4 cups waffle batter, enough for 4 (7- to 8-inch) deep-pocket round waffles

For the red velvet waffles:

2 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup cornstarch ¼ cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups buttermilk

½ cup vegetable oil, plus more for the waffle iron

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons liquid or 1 teaspoon gel red food coloring (optional)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cream cheese glaze:

4 ounces cream cheese

½ cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

1. Place 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

2. Place 2 cups buttermilk, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons liquid or 1 teaspoon gel red food coloring if desired, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Pour into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined (do not overmix). Let rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a waffle iron and heat the oven to 200 degrees.

3. Brush a thin layer of vegetable oil on the waffle iron or wipe with a paper towel dipped in oil. Ladle the manufacturer’s recommended amount of batter onto the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is bright red and crispy on both sides, about 4 minutes. Place in the oven directly on an oven rack to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.

4. Make the glaze while the last waffle cooks. Place 4 ounces cream cheese in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until soft and barely melted, about 1 minute total. Add ½ cup powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons milk, and whisk until smooth.

5. Serve each waffle drizzled with the cream cheese glaze, or dunk the waffles in the glaze like donuts, letting any excess glaze drip off. Note: It’s OK if you don’t have food coloring — your waffles will still taste delicious. You can double-down on the chocolateness instead by substituting 2 teaspoons melted chocolate for the food coloring.