Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Mixing food colors
• Method 2 of 2: Using Natural Ingredients
• Tips
• Warnings

You can find black food coloring in some specialty stores, but it is not very common compared to other colors. Prepare it yourself at home by mixing other colors, or use natural ingredients to color glaze, baked goods, or savory dishes.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Mixing food colors

1. 1 Get red, blue, and green food coloring. You can mix these colors for a dark gray, which is the best result you can get without buying black food coloring.
   • If you are making the icing, use a gel or creamy food coloring. Liquid colorants produce a less intense color and can spoil the consistency of the glaze.
2. 2 Add cocoa powder (white glaze only). The end result will be better if you start with a dark recipe. You can change the intensity of the color if using the white glaze, adding spoonfuls at a time.
   • Black cocoa powder gives the best results, but regular cocoa powder works well for this method as well.
   • If you skip this step, you will need a lot more food coloring, which can affect the flavor and texture.
3. 3 Add equal parts red, blue, and green to your recipe. Start with a few drops of each color, stirring well. Keep adding until the mixture turns dark gray. Always add equal parts of each color.
   • You can use yellow instead of green, but the lighter shade will make it harder to get black.
4. 4 Adjust the color. If you see a shade of a different color in gray, use these tips:
   • If the shade is green, add more red.
   • If purple, add green.
   • Adjust one drop at a time, stirring the mixture completely after each.
5. 5 Wait for the final color. Most food colors will appear more intense in the cream and lighter in the frosting. If you are working with frosting, consider adding dye half an hour before serving to minimize color loss.
   • In some regions, chemicals in water can affect color changes. Cream mixtures will get a more stable color when milk is added instead of water.
   • Keep the dish away from direct light and heat to avoid discoloration.

Method 2 of 2: Using Natural Ingredients

1. 1 Add black cocoa powder to the batter. A special type of cocoa powder labeled "black" or "Dutch ultra" gives a richer dark color and milder flavor than regular cocoa. The cake will turn out to be a deep dark color with a chocolate aroma. When replacing regular cocoa powder, make the following recipe changes:
   • Add some fat (liquid or solid oil)
   • Use one teaspoon of baking powder (5 ml) instead of ¼ teaspoon of baking soda.
2. 2 Add squid ink to salty meals. The ink tastes salty and is not suitable for candy or desserts. They are most commonly used to color pasta, rice, or hot sauces. For the most intense color, add ink to homemade pasta dough (instead of salt and some of the other liquid ingredients). For a quick but less consistent method, add ink to the water while the pasta or rice is simmering. Stir the ink into the sauce for a more dramatic look.
   • Fishmongers sometimes sell squid ink, and you may need to look in several stores for it.
   • Add small amounts of squid ink. They are quite salty and give an iodine flavor in large quantities.

Tips

• Specialty bakery stores can sell you black food coloring.
• You can boil the black walnut skins with the eggs for a dark brown or black eggshell.Consuming this paint can be harmful, so do not use this method for coloring food. The nut juice will stain your skin, clothing, and anything else it gets on.

Warnings

• Do not use squid ink if you are allergic to seafood.