I've been through the Wilton classes and am pretty well brainwashed when it comes to their products. It's all I've ever bought. However, I keep seeing references to Americolor food colors on some of the posts.

Like the rest of the rookies, I have a hard time achieving "true" colors in my icings - my reds are more like pink, and my black is more like gray. If I use enough Wilton color to get the icing where I want it, the colors inevitably bleed on to one another.

Anyone have any input on Americolor (or any other type) of colors? I'm wondering if maybe switching brands or even types (powder, vs. gel, etc) might be a good option for me. I've got a Dora cake coming up next weekend and want to get really bright pink and dark purple, and of course her hair is black, which is the bane of my existence.

Would you like to share your two cents worth? I'm desparate at this point!

If using the Wilton colors, color one day in advance and let them sit before using. They will come to there true hue in a day.

I forgot to do my colors the day before decorating on my Vader cake. You can see it in my photos. Ended up using too much coloring, but I have never had them bleed.

Hope this may help a little.

Hi,

Well, let me tell you about Americolor. Mamafrogcakes recommended them to me and I JUST LOVE THEM!!! Very true to the colors (so far).

I used to use the powdered colors, but started seeing clumps of the color in my icing. I guess it was because i didn't sift the powder. So, I am decreasing my powdered color usage. (I don't want to have to sift EVERYTHING!!!)

What is sad is that I have a TON of the gel paste colors, and they are all almost full. LOL
I like the gel (Wilton) colors....I just can't seem to ever get enough out of the little jar....and it takes a long time to keep adding and adding (because I don't want to contaminate the color) But with the americolors...you just squeeze a drop here and there and it is sooo easy to add more if you need it. I cannot validate what their black/red or blue looks like (dark colors), but yellows, oranges, browns...looked great!!

I highly recommend them.

I recommend them as well. With the Wilton black I get purple (in fondant anyways), so I switched to Americolors and no problems with it at all. I really like the dropper bottles, too. Where in TX are you? There are places in Houston, Austin, and I'm sure Dallas & SA that carry them.

Ali

Americolor is wonderful.

The lady at the cake supply store where I purchased mine told me that the same company that makes the Americolor is the same company that manufacture the Wilton colors.

Don't know if it's true or not...but if it is, Wilton needs to switch. lol

If you are unable to get the Americolors before your Dora cake then try this: For hot pink use Wilton color "ROSE." It will not take much to get a nice pink. For black...use chocolate frosting and then add your black. You might want to make that a day a head. For red...use "RED-RED" and "CHRISTMAS RED" and mix together. This also would be a good idea to make a day ahead. Another tip...use milk or half and half in place of water to thin your icing. Water has a tendency to make some colors bleed. Good luck!
traci

I swear by the Americolors brand..they are nice deep colors without using a whole container. Definitely replace and water in your icing with milk and mix your colors a day or two ahead of time. Some people add red powdered Kool-Aid, in addition to the Wilton red, to make a darker red!

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Cross your fingers - I'm doing a dry run on the cake this weekend. I figure my toddler will go NUTS over a Dora practice cake, and I get a shot at getting the colors just right.

I use Americolors all the time and I just love them!!! I have the larger bottles of Red,Black and Blue since I use alot of these 3 colors!! There is a seller on Ebay who sells the sets of 10 and a set of 6 for really reasonable prices compared to say Sugarcraft.com.Here is the link!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-of-10-75oz-Americolor-Gel-food-colors-cake-dec_W0QQitemZ4406263906QQcategoryZ46281QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-2-10-75oz-Americolor-Gel-food-colors-cake-dec_W0QQitemZ4406263907QQcategoryZ46281QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Set-of-6-75oz-Americolor-Gel-food-colors_W0QQitemZ4406263910QQcategoryZ46281QQcmdZViewItem


Check it out!!!