How early is too early to mix frosting and food coloring?

Question

My son's birthday party is Sunday afternoon...he wants green and blue cupcakes so we have bought white cake mix and white frosting. I have heard that the longer the food coloring is in the frosting, the brighter the color. We are wanting bright colored cupcakes but are not wanting to ruin the frosting. If it helps we are using the McCormicks brand that you get in the baking aisle at Walmart. Nothing fancy!...Just want the best cupcakes possible...can anyone give me advise?? thanks so much!

Answer 1

As stated above, I would recommend that you use the Wilton color gels. If you shop at Wal Mart it is in the craft section and there is a section for cake decorating. When you use it though, be sure that you use very little of it...I dip a toothpick into the gel and then put that into my icing and stir it up and just add more if you need too...but use a new toothpick each time so that you don't get icing all in your colors. I have noticed sometimes when I make my own icing and color it and put it in containers for later use that there are spots in it...just give it a good stir before you use it and it shouldn't spot again...its good to stir it anyway before you use it. If you really want to make them look good, buy some of the disposable decorators bag, also in the Wilton section at Wal Mart and some decorator's tip. For cupcakes I like to use a large star tip and start in the center of the cupcake and just swirl it around until the top of the cupcake is covered. Have fun...and get your son involved too!!

Answer 2

I would color the frostings now...it is true that if you let frosting sit for a bit after its been colored that it will become more vivid....Such as whenever i make red frosting (one of the hardest to make) i make it 4 days in advance, let it set to become more red, then add more coloring if needed.
If you are using a few drops of coloring, it shouldn't change the consistancy of your frosting too much...but next time i suggest checking out the Wilton gel colors...its a gel, so it doesn't effect the consistancy of your frosting and they have numerous colors to choose from.
You frosting won't be ruined it will just be a more vivid, bold color b/c it was made in advance...

Answer 3

Like a few people suggested use the paste colour....it is much better than the liquid and doesn't break down the icing like a liquid would (use it sparingly...the colour intensifies the longer it sits). If you are making frosting from scratch (much better than that canned stuff) and it doesn't have butter or milk in it you can make it several days in advance and then keep it on the counter covered in plastic wrap....just mix it up a bit before using it.

Answer 4

You can do it anytime, the coloring shouldn't change the consistency or flavor of the frosting.

I might suggest, however, if you are looking for a brighter, more intense color that you get the baker's food coloring at a craft store like Michael's or one that specializes in cake decorating supplies. The color will be quite vivid.

Oops! I just realized that Sugar Pie already suggested that.

Answer 5

Instead of using liquid food color, use paste food color. You can find it at WM, too, in the craft/cake decorating aisle, made by Wilton. Colors are brighter, richer, and don't' change. And they won't thin out your icing like liquid food color will.

Answer 6

This method would work better than making fake sick: Tell your mum/dad/whoever that you feel sick, and run to the bathroom and lock the door. Start coughing loudly while pouring water into the toilet to make splashing sounds like you're vomiting. Flush the toilet, then come out looking ill. They'll believe you've been sick :)

Answer 7

I usually add the color at the same time as the rest of the ingredients. You could put it in AFTER it's mixed but you don't have to wait.