You can use liquid or gel food dye. Gel food dye is usually preferred because you don’t need very much to get vivid colors.
Mix your colors in a glass or stainless steel bowl. The dye can stain plastic bowls.
Mix red and yellow in a 1:10 ratio (1 drop red to 10 drops yellow) for tan. Add 1 drop blue for a darker brown. Add red or yellow if the dye looks gray or black. [3] X Research source Add orange and green to lighten a red and green mix and make tan. [4] X Research source Add 1 drop of black dye for a very dark brown.
If you are dying frosting, consider making it 1-2 days ahead of time so you know the true shade you are working with. [6] X Research source If your frosting still isn’t dark enough, add a drop of black dye or more of your brown. If your frosting is too dark, add a little of the white frosting to dilute the color.
Remember that you may need a lot of dye to get a very dark brown, which means you will also get a stronger taste of the colorant. Cinnamon is great for light brown, but the taste might be overwhelming if you make a dark brown. [8] X Research source Used in small amounts, you should not taste the colorant. It’s ok to use a dill seed-based colorant for your buttercream if you use it very sparingly. [9] X Research source You may not be able to get the same vivid colors with natural dye as you would with store-bought colors. Petroleum-based colors need only a few drops to add color, whereas you might need a lot of natural dye to add color. Most recipes will be ruined by the addition of too much coloring–they will taste weird or become too watery to use. [10] X Research source
Bring the water and colorant mixture to a boil. Boil gently or simmer between 15-30 minutes. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer to catch any unabsorbed granules. Store in a glass or stainless steel bowl, as the dye will not stain these materials.
Powder dyes are more concentrated, so you may be able to get a darker color using less of the powder dye. Keep in mind that too much can change the flavor of whatever you are dyeing. [13] X Research source
Make peace with the idea that you may not get the dark, vivid color you want from natural dye. Flavor and consistency is ultimately more important than getting that perfect shade.
