How to Make Orange Food Coloring
Whether you want to start with natural ingredients or ready-made dye, follow our step-by-step guide.
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By Jessie Sheehan for Food Network Kitchen
Jessie Sheehan is a baker and cookbook author.
Orange food coloring is as essential as black food coloring when Halloween baking. But it’s tricky (pun intended) to find it in the grocery store unless your store carries orange gel food coloring. Don’t worry though because we’ve got you covered. We’ll show you how to make natural orange food coloring, using “natural” ingredients (carrot powder anyone?); as well as how to make it by using a combination of different off-the-shelf food dyes that you likely have in your kitchen cabinet right now.
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How to Make Orange Food Coloring with Natural Ingredients
Ingredients for Making Natural Orange Food Coloring
Keep in mind that it is best to use natural food coloring in frostings, fondants, etc. as opposed to in batters and doughs that will be baked. The colors can turn brown when exposed to heat.
Carrot powder is the best option when making natural food coloring, as the color is the brightest and most saturated and doesn’t impart savory flavor. With a little planning ahead, you can easily snag some online. You can often find it at health food stores. If you cannot find carrot powder and are in a pinch, you can buy freeze-dried carrots and grind them up. Alternatively, you can use carrot juice. Just keep in mind that carrot juice adds additional liquid, so you’ll want to cut back on other liquid in the recipe.
Paprika works much like carrot powder and is great for savory applications because it imparts its own bright distinct flavor to dishes.
Finally, pumpkin puree or sweet potato puree work as well, just keep in mind that they also add moisture and can impart earthy flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Natural Orange Food Coloring
- Using carrot powder or paprika: Dissolve 1 to 2 teaspoons of powder in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to create food coloring. Add a little of this natural dye at a time until the desired colored is achieved.
- Using carrot juice, pumpkin puree or sweet potato puree: Because these ingredients are already liquid, there’s no need to mix them with additional water. Instead, simply start by using a little at a time until the color you want is achieved.
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How to Make Orange Food Coloring with Ready-Made Dye
Ingredients for Making Orange Food Coloring with Ready-Made Dye
A combination of red and yellow food coloring. Gel food coloring is more saturated and intense than liquid, so if you can find that, it will make your orange that much brighter and Halloween-worthy
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Orange Food Coloring with Ready-Made Dye
- Combine red and yellow food coloring in equal amounts and stir until mixed.
Recipes with Orange Food Coloring
Here are a few recipes showing orange food coloring in action.
Johnny Miller
This sweet treat gets its color both from orange juice and from a combination of store-bought red and yellow food coloring. In this instance, the recipe calls for more yellow than red, because the OJ is contributing some of the orange color as well.
Kate Mathis
Orange gel food coloring contributes vibrant color. Here this is no need to mix red and yellow, as gel food coloring actually comes in the color orange.
Equal amounts of store bought red and yellow food coloring dye these delicate cookies.
Teri Lyn Fisher
This no-bake cheesecake gets its vibrant orange color from pumpkin puree.
Teri Lyn Fisher
One smart solution to avoiding food coloring? Use pre-dyed candy melts instead.
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