How To Make Dark Colored Icing

Making dark colored icing can be a little tricky. If you've tried, you've probably ran into the same problems most do.

The most common problem when trying to make dark colored icing is that the color is simply not dark enough. Have you ever tried to make red icing, but it only looks pink? Then, to try to make it darker you add more and more food color. Makes sense right? Next thing you know the consistency of your icing has changed. So you give it a little taste and yuck! The icing now tastes bitter and disgusting. Does this sound familiar?

Are you frustrated yet? I am worn out just talking about it. Well, there is an easier way to make dark colored icing!

How to make Red Icing

What you will need:

• red paste or gel concentrated food color
• red powder food color
• toothpick

*Here's a quick note about using Wilton No-Taste Red icing color.
Wilton makes a product called No-Taste Red icing color. The idea is that you can use a lot of it and it will not have the nasty taste other paste or gel colors can have. I love Wilton products, they are top of the line. However, I have never successfully made a dark red icing with this product alone.

You can use it in combination with red powder color like we are about to do. So, let's move on.

The first thing we want to do is make our icing a nice pink color. To do this use the red paste or gel coloring. Dip a clean toothpick into the icing color, or just squeeze a small amount if using gel in a tube or bottle. Mix the color into the icing.

The goal is to get a nice medium (not too light, not too dark) shade of pink. Just add the color a little at a time and mix until you reach a nice medium shade of pink.

Next, we are going to use the red powder color. Sprinkle the red powder into your icing a little at a time and mix it in. You will notice the icing getting darker. Add the powder color until the icing starts to look red. Set it on the counter and walk away for about 10 minutes. When you come back, the icing will have darkened to a nice shade of red.

Where to buy Powdered Food Coloring

Dark Colored Icing:  How to make Black Icing

What you will need:

• black paste or gel concentrated food coloring
• black powder color
• toothpick

There are two easy ways to make black icing.

The first is using chocolate icing. Simply add your black paste or gel food coloring to the chocolate icing. Since the icing is already dark, it will not take much color to make it black.

Not everyone likes or wants to use chocolate icing though. The second method uses white or buttercream icing to make black icing. It is exactly the same as making the red icing.

You want to first make your icing a nice shade of gray. Using the black paste or gel food coloring, mix in small amounts of color until you reach a medium shade of gray. Dip a clean toothpick into the color, or squeeze out a small amount if using gel in a tube or bottle.

Next, add the black powder color a few sprinkles at a time and mix it in until the icing starts to look black. Walk away for about 10 minutes and the icing will be dark black when you return.

How to make Dark Blue Icing

What you will need:

• royal blue paste or gel concentrated food coloring
• blue powder color
• toothpick

When making dark blue icing it is best to start with royal blue paste or gel as your base. There are several shades of blue available, but royal blue produces the best results.

Dip your toothpick in the icing color, or squeeze a small amount from the tube or bottle if using gel. Mix in your icing. Add color until you reach a nice "true" blue color. True blue to me is like the blue on the American flag, a nice medium shade of blue.

Now, sprinkle the powder color into your icing a little at a time and mix it in until the icing starts getting darker. Set it to the side and come back in ten minutes. The icing will darken as it sits.

If you are trying to make navy blue icing, add a very small touch of black paste or gel color to your icing. When I say very small I mean literally just a touch of it. This will deepen the icing enough to make it a dark navy blue.