How to Dye Frosting

Coloring frosting is easy.

You can use frosting to decorate cookies, cakes or cupcakes. Dyeing frosting to be different colors is easy. It's best to use gel food colorings, because a little color goes a long way. Dark gel food colorings sometimes have a slight aftertaste, so use chocolate frosting for brown or black food colorings to prevent this. Keep in mind that the dye intensifies after an hour with frosting. Use the dye sparingly until you reach your desired color so you don't end up with a shade too dark.

Things You'll Need

• White frosting
• Bowl
• Mixing spoon
• Gel food color
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Place the white frosting in a bowl.

2. Use a toothpick to dip into the gel food coloring and pull out a small amount of dye. Stir the toothpick into the frosting to add the dye, and throw away the toothpick. You should always use new toothpicks so you don't get frosting in the food coloring.

3. Stir the frosting well to spread the color throughout and dye the frosting.

4. Repeat the toothpick process if you need the color to be darker.

5. Frost as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix as much frosting as you need in one batch. Frosting colors are very tough to duplicate, and you don't want mismatched frosting on your dessert.

• Create a rainbow effect by smearing two to four colors of icing on four sides of a pastry bag. Add the frosting carefully. When you squeeze out the frosting, you'll end up with a multi-colored effect.

References

• "Decorating Cakes: A Reference & Idea Book (The Wilton School)"; Jeff Shankman; 1999
• "1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies & Cakes (1000 Series)"; Sandra Salamony and Gina M. Brown; 2010
• "Betty Crocker Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes (Betty Crocker Books)"; Betty Crocker Editors; 2006
• "The Wilton Way of Cake Decorating (Volume 2)"; Eugene and Marilynn Sullivan; 1990