Free Frosting Color Mixer Chart
Create custom buttercream and royal icing colors with our free food coloring mixing chart. It provides color drop ratios to achieve the perfect shade.
Trendy & Boho
Pinks & Reds
Oranges & Yellows
Greens
Blues & Purples
Browns & Neutrals
Terracotta
Mixing Formula
💡Pro Tip: Start with a small amount of base frosting (about 1/4 cup) to test the color before mixing a full batch.
Buttercream Color Mixing Chart
Achieving the perfect shade of buttercream can be tricky. Whether you're trying to get a deep, true black buttercream without it tasting bitter, or mixing a subtle boho sage green for a wedding cake, color theory is key. Our interactive mixing chart takes the guesswork out of food coloring ratios. We help you mix standard gel colors to create custom, trendy shades that will elevate your cake designs.
Tips for Perfect Frosting Colors
Let Dark Colors Develop
Deep colors like Red, Black, and Navy need time to "bloom." The color will darken significantly as the buttercream sits. Mix your frosting 24 hours in advance for the deepest shades, which means you can use less food coloring (and avoid bitter tastes!).
The Immersion Blender Trick
Need dark colors fast? Use an immersion blender (stick blender) to mix your buttercream. This emulsifies the color pigments more thoroughly than a stand mixer, instantly deepening the shade.
Muting Bright Colors
Store-bought colors are often neon-bright. To achieve vintage or boho tones, add a tiny drop of the opposite color on the color wheel (e.g., add red to mute green, or purple to mute yellow). A speck of black or brown also works wonders for "dusty" shades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my black frosting grey?▼
Start with a Chocolate Buttercream base instead of white! It's much easier to go from brown to black than white to black. You'll need far less food coloring.
Does the butter color matter?▼
Yes! American buttercream made with real butter has a yellow tint. If you try to make blue, it might turn teal (Blue + Yellow = Green). For pure white or true blue colors, neutralize the yellow with a tiny speck of purple food coloring first.
Oil-based vs. Gel colors?▼
Gel colors (like Americolor or Wilton) are best for buttercream as they are concentrated and won't add too much liquid. Avoid liquid grocery store food coloring. Oil-based colors are for chocolate/ganache only, not buttercream.