How to Color Gum Paste

Coloring gum paste may seem like only the work of a chef, but here you will find a way in which you can do it any time to add pizazz and fun to your baking.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gum Paste
• Food coloring
• Toothpicks
• Powder free medical gloves

Why not try to get a little fancy with your next cake?

1. Put on a pair of powder free medical gloves so your hands do not turn the color of your food coloring.

2. Divide out the amount of gum paste you will need to be colored the first color. Close the container on the remaining gum paste so it does not dry out.

3. Dip a toothpick into food coloring paste and then into your gum paste. Make sure it is a small amount, the color goes a long way.

4. Work the color into the gum paste by kneading it until the color is uniform. If you want a darker color, add more in small amounts until desired color is reached. The only way to lighten the gum paste is to add more plain white gum paste.

5. You can also color your gum paste after it is molded by painting it. Gum paste dries very hard. You can mix the food coloring with a little amount of water and paint the object with a paint brush. Some prefer to use alcohol like gin or vodka because the alcohol dissolves faster. Alcohol that is made from sugar, like Rum, does not work as well.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have gloves, use a little bit of vegetable oil on your hands to work with the gum paste. It will help keep it from sticking.
• Keep gloves and any tools with food coloring paste away from white gum paste or other colors. The colors mix very easily and a very small amount of coloring paste goes a long way.