How do I get my buttercream icing as close to true red? mine is still hot pink. have two cakes this week end needing red icing.

you have to use a LOT to get true red. icing darkens as it ages. dark colors are best to let sit overnight and let them darken.
be prepared for red teeth .

I use Wilton red icing in the tube as a base otherwise as drakegore points out you have to use a whole lot of red icing to get it dark. Try Ateco too - a little better than wilton colors. Nancy

I think it's Americolor Super Red does a great job without the entire bottle

dose any no if u can but americolor at micheals? im going to need red icing this week also

I put a little cocoa powder in my icing then add the red coloring, you wont need to add as much and the chocolate helps with the bitter taste of the red coloring.
I've also used a little brown food coloring with the red to darken it.

Wilton has a new color called red no taste that works pretty well. Also, I find if you tint the icing pink first it's better, it requires less red.

thanks for ur reply mommydukes

I found this article to be extremely helpful when making red icing! It really makes an excellent deep red. You can use the same idea to make a really good black too.

http://www.wilton.com/blog/index.php/how-to-make-red-icing-red/