Skip to content
Countess Rewards My Wishlist ❤ Recipes Shipping & Returns
How to Fix Black Royal Icing: Getting a True, Dark Black

How to Fix Black Royal Icing: Getting a True, Dark Black

If you have whipped up a batch of black royal icing and noticed that it has a tint of a different color to it, you’re probably wondering what the heck happened and what you can do to fix it.

Two words: color theory.

Reason 1: You Added White to Your Base Icing

Probably the simplest answer as to why you aren’t getting a deep black would be if you have added white gel to your base icing as a matter of course. You can either eliminate this step, or (if it’s too late) add more black than you ordinarily would.

Reason 2: Black Bleed

Black gel food coloring tends to contain ALL the colors of the rainbow, and depending on the brand you use, one or more of those colors can come through as a more dominant undertone.

Fix Black Icing with Color Theory:

If you have added a lot of black gel and you’re seeing purple, for example, you can add a tiny bit of the color that is opposite purple on the color wheel to neutralize it, which would be yellow.

Cake decorators have been using this hack for ages (in the opposite direction) to turn their yellowy buttercream a beautiful bright white; just a toothpick dab of purple gel can neutralize the yellow.

Adding a dab of yellow gel to your purply-grey or -black icing can neutralize the purple and give you that true grey or black tone. You may need to add a little more gel to deepen grey to black, but at least the purple won’t be present anymore.

black icing color chart

Cocoa Powder Can Help

If you are hesitant to add “too much” black gel, you can always start with a chocolate-based icing. Just a small amount of Genie’s Dream Infinitely Black Cocoa #1 can help you reach a true black much more quickly than starting from white.

Genie's Dream Infinitely Black Cocoa is specifically formulated to be used in chocolate icing recipes. It's unsweetened, very finely milled, and super dark brown.

Filed in: Royal Icing, Tips & Tricks, Working with Colors
Previous article Preventing Air Bubbles in your Royal Icing
Next article Cream Cheese Royal Icing Recipe

Comments

Angie - December 1, 2022

I wonder if my email triggered this one. I did come out with the perfect deep purple colors that I needed for that set. I added white to the base. 🙃
PS I love that y’all are doing this with the colors and showing us how to get different colors by mixing!

Angie - November 28, 2022

I wonder if my email triggered this one. I did come out with the perfect deep purple colors that I needed for that set. I added white to the base. 🙃

Leave a comment

Comments must be approved before appearing

* Required fields

Recommended for You:

  • Piping Bag Tip Tube Covers - Set of 4 - The Cookie Countess
    Piping Bag Tip Tube Covers - Set of 4 - The Cookie Countess

    Piping Bag Tip Tube Covers - Set of 4

    Ateco
    $ 1.65 - $ 1.65
    $ 1.65
    $ 1.65 - $ 1.65
    $ 1.65
    in stock

    Don't let your icing bags leak or dry out! Use these covers on bags with Ateco couplers and standard tips on them. Reuse them again and again. Se...

    View full details
    $ 1.65 - $ 1.65
    $ 1.65
    $ 1.65 - $ 1.65
    $ 1.65
  • Black Fine Tip Food Marker - The Cookie Countess

    Black Fine Tip Food Marker

    The Cookie Countess
    $ 1.85 - $ 1.85
    $ 1.85
    $ 1.85 - $ 1.85
    $ 1.85
    in stock

    A black edible-ink pen is essential for your decorating kit. Use these high quality markers for: Marking up baked cookies for planning designs Wri...

    View full details
    $ 1.85 - $ 1.85
    $ 1.85
    $ 1.85 - $ 1.85
    $ 1.85
  • Save 38% Save %

    Stainless Steel Measuring Cups 4 Piece Set

    The Cookie Countess
    $ 23.99
    $ 23.99 - $ 23.99
    $ 23.99
    $ 14.99
    $ 14.99 - $ 14.99
    $ 14.99
    in stock

    Incredibly high quality, with no plastic parts. Whether baking or cooking you'll reach for these essentials again and again! THESE ARE THE LAST SET...

    View full details
    $ 23.99
    $ 23.99 - $ 23.99
    $ 23.99
    $ 14.99
    $ 14.99 - $ 14.99
    $ 14.99
    Save 38% Save %
  • Instant Royal Icing Mix - White Base - The Cookie Countess
    Instant Royal Icing Mix - White Base - The Cookie Countess
    Save 14% Save %

    Instant Royal Icing Mix - White Base

    The Cookie Countess
    $ 6.99
    $ 6.99 - $ 6.99
    $ 6.99
    $ 5.99
    $ 5.99 - $ 5.99
    $ 5.99
    in stock

    Just add water for white, stiff icing! Perfect for stenciling, dots and eyes, writing, or thin it for flooding. You can tint it any color you need!...

    View full details
    $ 6.99
    $ 6.99 - $ 6.99
    $ 6.99
    $ 5.99
    $ 5.99 - $ 5.99
    $ 5.99
    Save 14% Save %
  • Cookie Order Form 5 x 7, 50 sheets - The Cookie Countess
    Cookie Order Form 5 x 7, 50 sheets - The Cookie Countess

    Cookie Order Form 5 x 7, 50 sheets

    The Cookie Countess
    $ 5.50 - $ 5.50
    $ 5.50
    $ 5.50 - $ 5.50
    $ 5.50
    in stock

    These cute sheets will help you plan your cookie orders. The back has an area for sketching and pricing planning. Size: 5" x 7" 50 Sheet Pad Tear ...

    View full details
    $ 5.50 - $ 5.50
    $ 5.50
    $ 5.50 - $ 5.50
    $ 5.50
See more