I'm sure this has been asked a million times...but...what is the best way to get black buttercream, esp if I don't have powdered black.
TIA
Sandi

If you have an air brush that's what I would do instead of coloring the bc. It's funny when people eat deep colored icing and get the colored mouth look If you don't have one I've heard you can get the spray stuff at Hobby Lobby.

I cheat....I buy a can of Pillsbury frosting, put it in a large bowl. I add Wilton black to it until it looks dark black. Then I start adding powdered sugar until I get it the consistency I want. When I took the cake decorating classes, that is what my instuctor did....and she owned a bakery in NYC for 20 years.

It is easier to get black by first starting with brown icing (either colored brown or chocolate) and then adding black color.
I agree with raquel1, if it is for a large part of the cake, use an airbrush or the edible sprays.

I have never tried it but after reading other posts about in the past I would start with dark chocolate or chocolate frosting, so you use less black.

I personally start with dark chocolate icing, and add the black coloring from there. I have found that the more gel coloring you use the funnier the taste of the icing. And of course, people don't end up with black teeth.