Start by whisking together the eggs, buttermilk, sugar, vanilla, red food coloring, and cocoa powder in a shallow bowl. You want the mixture to be smooth and free of lumps. For an even faster approach, you can use a blender to combine the ingredients, then transfer the egg wash to a large shallow bowl.
Next, take your halved bread slices and dip them into the egg wash. Make sure to press them lightly to soak through completely, flipping each slice to ensure even coating. This is where the magic begins as the bread absorbs all that rich flavor.
Heat a large nonstick pan or skillet over low-medium heat. It's essential to keep the heat at the right level to cook the French toast evenly without burning. Fry the bread in batches of three or four, turning them once until they are just cooked through and golden on both sides. Remove them from the pan and place them onto a warmed plate, keeping them toasty.
While the French toast is cooking, let’s prepare the heavenly cheesecake filling. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Whip the ingredients together until light and fluffy. The filling should be smooth and creamy, perfect for spreading.
Once your French toast has cooled slightly, take one half and spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cheesecake filling onto it. Spread it out evenly to cover the surface, and then top it with another half to create a delicious sandwich.
For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle melted chocolate over the tops of the French toast sandwiches. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream on top if you desire, followed by a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Finally, serve the Red Velvet French Toast with a handful of fresh raspberries on the side. The tartness of the berries complements the sweetness of the dish beautifully, adding an inviting freshness to every bite.
