Skip to Content

How do you dye frosting red without food coloring?

By: Author Color With Leo

Frosting is an essential part of many baked goods like cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. The color of frosting can really make decorations pop. But what if you’ve run out of food coloring and need to make some reddish frosting? Don’t worry, there are several ways to naturally dye frosting red without using artificial dyes.

Why Dye Frosting Red Without Food Coloring?

There are a few reasons you may want to dye frosting red without using food coloring:

  • You’ve run out of food coloring
  • You want to avoid artificial dyes for health reasons
  • You want to use natural ingredients
  • You need a red frosting for a theme or holiday
  • You want to experiment with new frosting colors

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to naturally dye frosting vibrant shades of red using fruits, vegetables, and spices. With a little creativity, you can make reddish frosting with ingredients you likely have on hand.

Fruits and Berries

Many red fruits and berries can be used to tint frosting pink or red:

Strawberries

Strawberries are a classic choice for dying frosting red. Here’s how:

  1. Wash and hull fresh strawberries.
  2. Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth.
  3. Strain out seeds using a fine mesh sieve.
  4. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of strawberry juice per 1 cup of frosting.
  5. Add more juice to reach desired color.

Raspberries

Raspberries contain vivid red pigments that can turn frosting pink or red:

  1. Rinse fresh raspberries.
  2. Crush berries to release juice.
  3. Strain out seeds using a fine mesh sieve.
  4. Mix 1-2 tablespoons raspberry juice per 1 cup frosting.
  5. Add more juice for darker shades.

Cherries

Cherries can also be used to dye frosting red:

  1. Wash and pit fresh cherries.
  2. Puree cherries in a blender.
  3. Strain out solids using a fine mesh sieve.
  4. Mix in 1-2 tablespoons cherry juice per cup of frosting.
  5. Mix in more juice to reach desired red shade.

Pomegranate Juice

For a vivid red color, pomegranate juice works great:

  1. Purchase 100% pomegranate juice.
  2. Mix 2-3 tablespoons juice per 1 cup frosting.
  3. Add more as needed for darker red tones.

Red Vegetables

Some red vegetables also contain pigments that can dye frosting red:

Beets

Beets can make frosting red, but will also add some earthy flavor. Here’s how to use them:

  1. Cook red beets until tender.
  2. Peel and roughly chop beets.
  3. Blend with a bit of water until smooth.
  4. Strain juice through a mesh sieve.
  5. Mix in 2-3 tablespoons beet juice per cup of frosting.
  6. Add more for darker shades.

Red Cabbage

Red cabbage contains anthocyanins that can dye frosting red:

  1. Remove outer leaves from cabbage.
  2. Cut cabbage into chunks.
  3. Simmer in a pot of water for 15 minutes.
  4. Strain out solids.
  5. Start with 1-2 tablespoons juice per cup of frosting.
  6. Mix in more juice until desired color is reached.

Red Radish

For a more muted pink/red, try using red radish:

  1. Clean radishes thoroughly.
  2. Chop into small pieces.
  3. Simmer in water for 15 minutes.
  4. Drain solids and reserve liquid.
  5. Start with 1-2 tablespoons radish juice per cup frosting.
  6. Mix in more until you get the desired pink/red shade.

Spices and Powders

Ground spices and fruit powders can also dye frosting red:

Paprika

Paprika powder contains carotenoids that create rich red hues:

  1. Start with 1/2 teaspoon paprika per cup of frosting.
  2. Mix it in thoroughly until uniform color.
  3. Add more paprika for darker reds.

Turmeric

Turmeric powder can make a golden orange shade:

  1. Start with 1/4-1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder per cup frosting.
  2. Mix in thoroughly for even color.
  3. Add more for darker orange-reds.

Beet Powder

For a vivid red, beet powder works great:

  1. Start with 1/2-1 teaspoon beet powder per cup frosting.
  2. Mix in well until color is even.
  3. Add more powder for darker reds as desired.

Freeze Dried Berries

Powdered freeze dried strawberries or raspberries can dye frosting pinkish red:

  1. Process freeze dried berries into a fine powder.
  2. Start with 1-2 teaspoons powder per cup frosting.
  3. Mix in thoroughly until uniform color.
  4. Add more berry powder as needed for darker shades.

How to Make Your Own Powdered Fruit

You can make your own powdered fruit at home with a blender or food processor:

  1. Slice strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, etc.
  2. Place fruit slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
  3. Bake at lowest oven temp (170°F) for 4-6 hours.
  4. Fruit should be completely dried out.
  5. Process dried fruit in a blender or food processor into a fine powder.
  6. Sift to remove any remaining chunks.
  7. Store powder in an airtight container.

Natural Red Frosting Recipe

Here is an easy recipe for naturally red velvet frosting using beet powder:

Ingredients

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2-4 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1-2 tablespoons beet powder

Directions

  1. With a mixer, beat butter for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  3. Mix in 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla until incorporated.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon beet powder and mix thoroughly.
  5. Add more milk or beet powder to reach desired consistency and color.

This makes a lush, reddish frosting perfect for red velvet cakes and cupcakes!

Tips for Red Frosting Without Food Coloring

Here are some tips when dying frosting red without food coloring:

  • Use strongly pigmented red fruits and veggies for deeper colors.
  • Strain juices to remove solids and seeds.
  • Start with smaller amounts of juice or powder and mix in more as needed.
  • Consider flavor balance when using beets, berries, etc.
  • Don’t boil fruits and vegetables to help retain color vibrancy.
  • Mix food coloring alternative into frosting well for even color distribution.
  • Refrigerate frosted baked goods to help colors stay stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use Kool-Aid to dye frosting?

Yes, unsweetened Kool-Aid powder can be used to dye frosting. Use about 1/2-1 tablespoon per cup of frosting. Mix in slowly until desired shade is reached.

What gives red velvet cake its color?

Traditionally, red velvet cakes got their reddish color from chemical reactions between acidic vinegar and buttermilk. Now beet powder or other natural dyes are often used in recipes.

Is food coloring bad for you?

Some studies show that large amounts of artificial food dye may have negative health effects. Natural alternatives provide color without potential risks.

Will frosting keep its color?

Frosting dyed with natural ingredients may change color slightly over time. Refrigerating frosted goods helps colors remain more stable.

Can you use spices to dye frosting?

Yes, spices like paprika and turmeric can dye frosting orange-red shades without imparting too much flavor.

The Bottom Line

With just a bit of creativity, you can easily dye frosting red without using food coloring. Natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and spices can create a variety of pink, red, and orange hues. Just be sure to strain juices well and start with smaller amounts, mixing in more as needed to reach your ideal shade.