I swear Elmo/Spiderman red is my arch-nemesis! I can never get my buttercreme to look super super red. What are your secrets? I have tried Wilton colors, Americolor, super red, no taste red, red with a drop of black, hot pink then red....nothing works! Help please!

I add a little cocoa powder to my buttercream. It cuts down on the bright white, and seems to work for me.

I had a run of cakes that all needed that super red-red color and I broke down and bought a five pound tub from Sam's. Saved me a lot of frustration!

Ah, I didn't know Sam's sold the colored buttercreme. Hmmmm, good to know!!

I saw red buttercream at Walmart the other day. It was Wilton's, and I haven't tried it - so I don't know if it is any good. But it was red!

I make red all the time. I use Wilton's coloring since it's what is sold at my cake shop.

I start with making my icing pink using rose pink. I use the no-taste red mainly (usually the whole jar). I then add red-red to it. It will not be a deep red when you first make it. I make this the day before I need it, and it darkens as it sits.

I had this same question about a month ago - except with fondant - someone suggested using wilton candy colors, for coloring candy melts. I didn't try it b/c I didn't could not find any locally.