ISO help making red icing

[chybabe2]

i'm having trouble getting my icing red, and once i finally get it red enough, it taste horrible! I'm using the wilton paste coloring... any suggestions?

 

[LPBeier]

Red is the hardest color to use. I have found that adding some coloring to the butter as you cream it helps to get a base without using as much. Then, after you have beaten in the sugar and milk/water, you can add more to bring it to the shade you want. Also, make sure you add a flavoring such as vanilla or any other extract to offset the coloring taste. Here I don't worry about using a clear vanilla because the darkness of regular vanilla actually helps deepen the color (but don't go overboard on the vanilla).

This works with gumpaste for flowers as well. I use a powder mix and I add coloring with the water as I measure it and it gives a nice base to work with, without making the paste too sloppy.

 

[chybabe2]

good idea! thanks!

 

[Lucia-mia]

Apparently Wilton makes a no-taste red colouring these days; they claim that the colour is as vibrant as with the regular colouring so it might be worth giving it a try. The red colour I used in England years and years ago didn't have this problem (I was really surprised when I first came to the USA and ran across the revolting flavour of the red food colouring), so mail-order from an overseas supplier is also an option.

 

[chybabe2]

alright, i'll look into the no-taste coloring, thanks !

 

[didavista]

I like Americolor way better than any Wilton colors. Once I tried those I never bought another wilton color. My reds are red not pink, black is black, not grey. I purchase online at globalsugarart.com

 

[chybabe2]

really? that is interesting, i'm excited about looking into those!!

 

[Silversage]

I've always used powder food colors when trying for reds & blacks.

It's easy to find if you google it.

 

[chybabe2]

i did not know there was such a thing as powder food coloring. will check it out!