How to Make Black Icing Without Food Coloring - The Ultimate Guide (2023)

Last updated on December 18, 2022

Do you want to know how to make black frosting without food coloring? Use black cocoa powder to give it a deep black color and rich chocolate flavor!

No matter what you try, when you use black food coloring, it gets everywhere! We absolutely hate it, and what's worse is when it stains all over your mouth for the rest of the day! Luckily, this recipe has the perfect solution for making a black cake frosting without having to use food coloring.

This is a ridiculously easy recipe to follow and we've even included some pro tips for a smooth, creamy and fluffy black cocoa frosting!

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How to make black frosting without food coloring?

Believe it or not, it is actually possible to doblack icingNo black food coloring! You don't need to use powder, gel or liquid, all you need is a littledark cocoa powder.

black cocoa powder

Black cocoa powder is the most processed form ofcocoa powderavailable and has a very dark color. It has a higher pH level compared to normal and dutch processed cocoa powders and is less acidic. It will create a deep color and is the perfect starting point for your black frosting.

Cocoa powder processed in the Netherlands

Cocoa powder processed in the Netherlandsit still has a dark color but less so compared to the black cocoa powder option. It is more acidic and you will definitely need to add food coloring to get a really deep black color in your frosting.

To dye

Okay, so you don't need to add food coloring. Black cocoa powder will give you a final black color without staining your teeth. However, if you want to get a pitch black and extremely deep color, you can add some black.powdered food coloring.

But since you're already starting with a dark frosting, you'll need a lot less stain to achieve the desired black, and it'll smudge a lot less, too.

What you will need to make black cocoa frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226 grams) salted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) dark cocoa powder, sifted
• 3 1/2 cups (453 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (58 grams) fresh cream

Equipment

• Mixer
• was the median
• clean
• Spatula

How to make black frosting without food coloring

Step 1: Cream the butter

Place the softened butter in a medium bowl and beat on the highest speed possible. Be sure to beat until light and fluffy; this could take up to 10 minutes, depending on how much you're doing.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

Then add the sifted cocoa powder and powdered sugar. You can work in smaller batches if you want. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Just mix the ingredients until well combined.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Add the vanilla and half of the milk to the bowl. Beat the frosting for about 3 minutes to check the consistency. If the frosting is too stiff, add more milk and continue beating. Again, beat the frosting until light and fluffy.

Tips and Tricks for Black Cocoa Frosting

When it comes to making frosting, you can never beat it! You want a super fluffy consistency and the best way to achieve this is by creaming together the butter and frosting for several minutes. Remember to scrape the sides so that all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Always make sure all dry ingredients are well sieved, especially cocoa powder. Both of these ingredients can be very lumpy and give you a very unpleasant texture.

If you accidentally add too much powdered sugar, you can lighten the frosting by adding more cream. Add just a teaspoon at a time for smaller batches and a tablespoon at a time for large batches.

Black Grainy Cake Icing

When making buttercream frosting, an emulsion must be produced. An emulsion basically means that two things (in this case, fat and liquid) that don't normally mix are forced to mix. Think mayonnaise: eggs blend into oil with the help of heat, vigorous beating, and the perfect proportions of each.

This black cocoa frosting is no different. Butter and cream need to be whipped in perfect proportions to create a fluffy product.

However, sometimes this emulsion breaks down and creates a grainy texture that doesn't look as appealing. The most common culprit for this is when people add too much liquid because the frosting isn't fluffy enough.

How do you make a black frosting that isn't grainy?

It is better to prevent than to try to fix the problem later. The first thing you can do is make sure your ingredients are at the same temperature. If you are using cold butter, it will create clumps. These clumps will eventually soften or melt, causing the frosting to break.

Always beat the frosting for a few minutes before adding any liquid. Many factors can affect the consistency of your frosting, including the moisture in the air. Some days you need to add more fluid compared to others.

If you can definitely see that you need to add some cream, just add a little at a time. This will help avoid adding too much liquid and creating an unstable emulsion.

How to Fix Your Black Cocoa Granular Frosting

the best way tofix your split frostingYou are adjusting the temperatures. If you see clumps of butter in your frosting, gently heat the bowl in a water bath. The heat will gently melt the butter. You can then continue beating the frosting on high speed to emulsify the ingredients.

If you used melted or very soft butter, simply chill the bowl in an ice bath and mix regularly. The lower temperatures will help the butter set up a bit and allow the mixture to come together.

Weirdo Good Black Velvet Cocoa Powder - Organic, Allergen Free

How do you make black frosting in advance?

You can make the cocoa glaze ahead of time or store leftovers in an airtight container. Store frosting in the fridge for up to a month!

You can also freeze the black frosting for up to three months. To defrost, simply thaw the Black Buttercream Frosting inside the refrigerator. Once completely thawed, beat the frosting well with a mixer.

Servings and cooking time

Let us know what a delicious bake you made with this delicious Black Buttercream Frosting! And, if you're obsessed with this recipe, please share it so others can learn from it too.

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