Red is one of those colors that instantly brings warmth, excitement, and life to your desserts. From soft blush tones to deep crimson hues, it’s a must-have for everything from Valentine’s Day cookies to cozy fall bakes and festive holiday designs.

But if you love working with natural food colorings, achieving your ideal red can sometimes feel like a challenge. Don’t worry — we’ll walk you through how to create four beautiful, all-natural red tones using Chefmaster Natural Food Coloring that range from soft pinks to rich, bold reds.

Making Your Royal Icing Base

Natural colors can behave differently depending on your recipe — especially when it comes to pH balance and fat content. To keep your results consistent and your colors vibrant, start with a neutral royal icing base. For best results, we recommend the recipe below.

Ingredients:

2 Lbs. Powdered Sugar 


3/4 Cup Warm Water 


5 Tbsp. Chefmaster Meringue Powder 


1 Tbsp. Clear Vanilla Extract (you can also use regular)


2 Tbsp. Corn Syrup 


1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar


Preparation:

1.     Using a Whisk attachment, whisk together your meringue powder and warm water until it resembles a frothy foam on speed 4.

2.     Once foamed/bubbly and your cream of tartar and vanilla until combined.

3.     Slowly add in your powdered sugar a cup at a time until all your powdered sugar is added. Start on low and then slowly increase your mixer speed to medium high or speed 6 for a few minutes. The strength of your mixer will ultimately depend on how long you reach the stiff peaks.

4.     While your mixer is on, add in the corn syrup and white food coloring and mix for another minute.

5.     Once finished mixing, your results should be a thick and fluffy royal icing. It should not have any flow to it, aka. stiff peaks.

6.     You may now split the icing into bowls for coloring and to change the consistencies.

Mixing Natural Red Shades

For each color, start with the ratios then add more starting with Red to reach your shade. Let sit for at least 12-24 hours to enhance the color before using. Royal Icing also darkens as it dries, so be aware of your final shade will be a shade or two darker than what you finish with after your icing is done resting.

1. Natural True Red

    A rich, romantic shade perfect for holidays or florals.

• 3 Parts Natural Red
• 1 Part Natural Brown
• 1 Part Natural Orange

2. Natural Strawberry Red

    Bright, cheerful, and fresh — ideal for summer fruits or playful designs.

• 3 Parts Natural Red
• 1 Part Natural Pink

3. Natural Brick Red

    A warm, earthy tone with a cozy feel. Great for autumn bakes or rustic details.

• 4 Parts Natural Red
• 3 Part Natural Brown
• 1 Part Natural Orange

4. Natural Crimson

    Deep, rich, and bold — the perfect true red for holiday cookies or bold accents.

• 3 Parts Natural Red
• 1 Part Natural Purple
• 1 Part Natural Brown

Tips for Coloring Royal Icing with Chefmaster Natural Food Colors

To get the most consistent and beautiful results:

• Be Patient with Color Development - Natural reds deepen as they sit. Mix your icing and let it rest for a few hours (or overnight) before adjusting the color.
• Layer Slowly - Add color gradually to control the final tone. Start lighter than you think you need. It will darken as it sets.
• Drying Darkens Color - Expect your icing to dry one to two shades deeper than it appears freshly mixed.
• Mix and Match - Don’t be afraid to experiment with ratios — natural colors allow for endless warm and cool undertones!