Why is it hard to get intense red?
The main problem is that whipped cream and buttercream have a yellow or yellowish-white base. The red pigment needs to overcome this background tint, which means you need much more coloring than for other colors.
Trick #1: the color intensifies over time
Dark colors, including red, need time to "mature." Add the food coloring 2-4 hours before using the cream, or even a day before and store it in the refrigerator. You'll be surprised how much the color intensifies without adding anything else.
Trick #2: use concentrated red food coloring
Not all red food colorings are created equal. There are standard red food colorings and extra-concentrated red food colorings specially formulated for whipped cream. At NatyShop, you can find gel food colorings with strong pigmentation, including shades of intense red and flame red.
Trick #3: neutralize yellow with a little purple
This is the trick of professional pastry chefs: before adding red, add a tiny amount of purple or violet food coloring. This neutralizes the yellow tint of the buttercream and makes the red appear much purer and more intense.
How much red food coloring do you need?
- Light red: 5-8 drops per 200g cream + resting time
- Medium red: 10-15 drops per 200g cream
- Intense/bright red: 20+ drops per 200g cream + the purple trick
Order quality red food colorings from our range of professional food colorings and get the intense colors you desire!