I'm a newbie to cakes..would it be easier to make choc. bc first & then try to tint black or just start out w/ regular bc?

Thanks for any or all help!!

Macy

if you start with it dark already, then you need less black colouring. and as black colouring can taste funny, thats a good thing!
xx

Yes start with cocolate bc then add black.

If you start with white you will need what seems like twenty times more black to get it where you want it.

Starting with chocolate really helps with it staining you, your clients teeth, tongue, and lips. It also keeps the potential down for black or bluish/purple pee and poop (depending on how much black you used). The more black coloring the better chance of you being called asking if you were the one responsible for purple poopie.

Personally I try to avoid those calls, the customers don't like me laughing at that question.

Def start with choc! I'm no expert, but have been there, done that!
Depending on your design, sometimes I use black sanding sugar or black jimmies to tie in the black into the design (if it's not a detail you are doing) and then avoid the whole "black icing" thing alltogether! Good luck!

OMG! Never thought to use Choc BC for Black icing! HA HA HA...Learn new things everyday!

What about fondant...does the same apply?

yes, you can also start with brown for fondant. If you don't mind your icing/fondant tasting chocolate you can use cocoa or you can start with brown coloring. You can also start by mixing together any colors of icing/fondant you have left over all together. Depending on the colors you start with you will come out with a dark purplish, brownish or grayish color then you can start adding black. Also, Americolor colors are stronger than Wilton's paste colors and you won't have to add as much to achieve the color you want. (black and red have a bad after taste) Even Wilton's no taste red has a bad taste if you have to use alot of it, in my opinion.

I also use cocoa or brown paste coloring to dull colors down. If I am trying to get red or hunter green and I am getting bright pink or bright green I add a little brown alternately with the color I am using until I get the color I want.

Yep I already use Americolor...haven't used Wilton in awhile! Thanks for the tips! I struggle with the black fondant...and red as a matter of fact! Having to use so much of the color messes with the texture of the fondant, so I can't wait to use your advice on my next black or red adventure!