How much red coloring (gel) does it take to get a real red? I'm starting to think a whole bottle. I'm using the no taste red, but I have added tons and it's still pink. I see beautiful red valentine cookies here, how do you do that?
j.

Are you trying to dye a buttercream? I'll be the first to admit that I buy pre made red and black icing... Be careful how much dye you add, let it sit for a while.. the color comes out after time. My first attempt ended up maroon after a few hours.

Americolor True Red! It takes very little, and it darkens slightly after just a short while.

And although it doesn't help now, I read to make it a strong pink first, then add the red, and that's meant to get a deeper colour.

I did have to use a whole bottle of americolor red to get elmo fur red.....

I suggest not using Wilton colors for a true red There are good Americolor reds and CK (I think that's the name of the brand).

Other than using a more "saturated" brand of color, I always mix the color to the icing to very dark pink and let it set overnight - the color will deepen to red.