Start Here: Your Guide to Dye-Free Baking and Decorating with Natural Food Colors

Start Here: Your Guide to Dye-Free Baking and Decorating with Natural Food Colors

Curious about how to decorate cookies and baked goods without artificial dyes? You’re in the right place. This is your easy-to-follow guide to switching to plant-based, natural food coloring—even if you’re brand new. Whether you’re here because of food allergies, health concerns, or personal values, I’ll show you step-by-step how to bake and decorate bold, beautiful cookies the natural way.

 

SECTION 1: Why Go Dye-Free?

Why Choose Natural Food Coloring for Baking?

  • Artificial food dye is linked to some serious health concerns. If it was only used here and there in colorful candies and sweets, it might be fine. But there's food dye in SO many products it's unbelievable. Here's a great documentary you will enjoy.
  • Benefits of plant-based colorants are many, however the biggest benefits come from being safer for kids, and allergen-friendly. Products in other parts of the world that contain food dye have warning labels for their effects, most notably on children. And plant-based colors can be vibrant when used correctly.
  • Blog post about “Why I Started The Dye-Free Baker” here.

Want to go deeper? Subscribe to my newsletter for tips, tutorials & exclusive downloads! You will get a copy of my 'Natural Dye, No Stress' guide!

SECTION 2: Start Here in 3 Simple Steps

How to Start Decorating with Natural Food Color (in 3 Simple Steps)

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Step 2: Try Your First Natural Color

  • I recommend starting with PRSM Sugar Co. powders (Red, Yellow, Sky Blue)
  • Also if you're unsure if you're going to try liquid/gel color vs. powder color, you definitely want to watch this video!
  • Download: The Interactive Color Wheel for PRSM colors, in this digital guide, I give you all the ratio's you need to mix 12 different shades using only 3 colors.

Step 3: Explore Recipes & Techniques

Use natural coloring in royal icing, buttercream, macarons, and more. Learn how pH affects color with our Beginner’s pH Guide (coming soon!)

SECTION 3: My Most Helpful Resources

My Best Dye-Free Baking Decorating Resources (Free & Paid)

FREE RESOURCES:

  • Color Comparison Chart of Ready-to-use Brands on the market today here.
  • Join our growing Facebook Community (group) here.
  • Newsletter with free tutorials, recipes & insider tips – get the FREE Quick Start Natural Color Guide here. Wait for the pop-up on our sister site.
  • YouTube tutorials here.

PAID RESOURCES:

  • Dye-Free Color Mixing Guide – Learn to mix any color with PRSM powders (OVER 40 UNIQUE SHADES) here.
  • Dye-Free Decorator’s Guide – A full toolkit for beginners here.
  • No-Spread Sugar Cookie Recipe eBook here.
  • Dye-Free Digital Bundle – Get all guides at a discount here.

 

Still not sure where to start?
Take this quick quiz at the bottom of this post to find your perfect starting point!

 

SECTION 4: Shop Natural Colors & Merch

Tools & Supplies I Personally Use

  • My Favorite Dye-Free Products here.
  • Dye-Free Baker Merch Store (100% of profits go to developing dye-free markers!) here.
  • I have discount codes for a number of natural food color brands, see below.

SECTION 5: Stay Connected

Keep Learning With Me

 

DISCOUNTS:

PRSM SUGAR CO. - Use the code BLOOM15 to get 15% off their etsy store.

COLOR KITCHEN - Use the code DYEFREE to get 20% off their website.

BERRY COUTURE SPRINKLE SHOP (they sell Roxy and Rich dye free colors) - use the code CAMELLA10 for 10% off on their website.

SUPERNATURAL KITCHEN - use the code CAMELLAS15 for 15% off on their website.

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