5 Ways to Make Red Frosting

Valentines Day is just around the corner so its time to put away the holiday decorations and get ready for the red, pink and white of Valentines Day. Valentines Day is traditionally a day of sweets, but this special day can extend far beyond your normal chocolate hearts. For Valentines Day, many individuals like to bake their sweets. Whether they are in the form of cakes, cupcakes, cookies or pies, these sweets can say I Love You like no other. If you are searching for an original way to bake this Valentines Day, then check out the 5 different ways to make red frosting. These helpful tips will help to make your Valentines Day creation an instant hit!

Food Coloring

This is probably the most popular way to make red frosting; it is quick, easy and very successful. Just make a normal batch of frosting and then add a few drops of red food coloring into the mix. You'll probably notice that the frosting will start out pink, but as you add more, the frosting will turn a deeper red.

A helpful hint for some frosting makers, if you are looking for a deep red color for your frosting, I suggest making the frosting the day before you are going to use it. The longer the frosting sits with the food coloring in it, the darker it will become. This way, you can add less food coloring but still get the beautiful red color you are looking for.

Americolor Liquid Gel

Another great way to frost cakes and cookies, Liquid Gel allows you to get the deep, rich color you are looking for without the 'thinning' problem that occurs when using other household liquid colors. Americolor Liquid Gel is very concentrated color, so just a few drops can transform your boring white frosting into a glorious red. This gel is especially good for heart cakes because it will allow you to get a dark, rich, even color. Check out these gel's at KitchenCrafts.com.

Organic

Even health nuts need a little sweetness in their lives, and what better way to liven up a Valentines Day treat for that healthy loved one than with organic frosting. The two best ingredients that you can use to get a rich red color are pomegranate juice, or dried, powdered, boiled, unsalted red beets (mmmmm). While the pomegranate juice will add flavor to your frosting, the beets will not. Depending on how much you use, you can get a great pink or red tint to your Valentines Day frosting!

Berries

While these can fall under the category of organic, I personally believe that using berries is a bit yummier than using beets, but hey...to each his (or her) own! Strawberries and red raspberries are a great way to make your frosting both red and delicious. Just smash or mush up berries and when they are good and mushy, mix them in with your already prepared frosting. A bit of berries will give you nice pink frosting, but the more you add, the redder it will get. I suggest making a dark pink to light red frosting and then decorating the top with extra berries! Your sweets will be fruity and delicious!

Candy

This last way doesn't actually dye your frosting red, but covering cakes, cupcakes and cookies with Valentines Day candies is another great way to give it the red effect. My favorite options are the heart shaped red hots, or gummy hearts. There are two ways to do this, either be conservative, or go absolutely crazy! I vote for the crazy way, which is to cover every square inch of your sweet treat with these Valentine's candies, but you can also use them to outline the treat, or use them to spell words or create designs. Either way, they'll make for a very unique Valentine's Day treat!

So these are just a few ways to turn an everyday desert into a Valentine's Day treat! Whether you use these methods or any other, you're sure to make fantastic deserts! Happy baking and Happy Valentine's Day!