Hello everyone!

I am needing some help! I can't seem to make red icing. I use wiltons "Christmas Red" coloring, but it seems I have to use so much to get a shade I want. It always turns out almost pink. I have even made it and then let it sit overnight to darken. No luck! Any help would be appreciative!! Also, black icing. It's always dark grey. Should I use chocolate frosting, then add black coloring?

Thank you all so much for any help you give me

If you have access to Americolor brand, their Super Red and Super Black are terrific. They are very concentrated and require much less color to achieve deep dark shades with no bitter taste. They are available online if you can't find them locally.

Try starting with pink color first and get it dark pink then add red. But Americolor is the best if you can get it.

I have to agree. Americolor is def. the way to go. I use to have the same problem with red, seemed like no matter how much color I added, it wasnt what I wanted. I discovered Americolor and Its always perfect.

Thank you both so much! I will try the pink, then red and I will definetly look into buying Americolor!

I forgot to mention...it's royal icing that I have a hard time coloring red and black.

Again, thank you

I havent used it with royal icing (only buttercream) but before I got my hands on the Americolor (DEF the best!!!) I used the Wilton's No-Taste Red. It took a LOT of it, sometimes almost an entire little jar. Letting it sit overnight helped; but like everyone else has said, try to get the Americolor!

To get true red add orange to it and let it set. To get true black you can use all the left over icings and add together then add your black. Purple and brown help make a true black.

Thank you! Thank you!!

You are welcome! Trial and error

I do as stated above - start with pink and then add Americolor Super Red. Let sit for a day or two to deepen in color. I get a great red this way.

I'm gonna have to get some of that Americolor! Out of the stoneage and shop online!!!