How to Paint Fondant With Food Coloring

Paint fondant with an alcohol-based food coloring.

Painting rolled fondant with food coloring takes a bit of innovation. If you use a water-based food coloring or add water to food coloring when you paint, you will melt your fondant as you brush on the food coloring. You could end up with goopy fondant and a runny appearance. Instead, paint with an alcohol-based food coloring or cut your water- or glycerin-based food coloring with alcohol. Alcohol will evaporate from the fondant after you brush it on, leaving the color behind and no chance for the fondant to melt.

Things You'll Need

• Alcohol-based food coloring or food coloring gel/powder
• Vodka or flavored extract with high alcohol content (lemon or orange extract)
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Mix your colors. If you're using alcohol-based food coloring, mix it with more alcohol to lighten it or with other alcohol-based colors to make new colors. If you're using powder- or gel-based food coloring, mix your colors darker than you need, then mix it in with alcohol.

2. Load your brush lightly with color and brush it on. Work quickly, and avoid overworking the same areas with the brush.

3. Allow the alcohol to evaporate from an area before going over it again with more color.

Tips & Warnings

• The alcohol-based colors or paints cut with alcohol will look like watercolors, so practice your design with that aesthetic in mind.