Homemade Buttercream and Natural Coloring

Making your own frosting is very easy and there are some good, inexpensive ways to add natural colors also.

Here is a simple buttercream recipe (double or triple based on how much you need):

1 stick butter (room temperature)
1 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla flavoring
2-4 Tbsp milk

Cream butter with electric mixer, add powdered sugar and mix, add milk a tablespoon at a time until frosting is the consistency you like. Add vanilla flavoring and whatever you are using to tint your frosting. If you plan to tint your frosting, add less milk so that the addition of your tint doesn't make it too runny. You can use India Tree Natural Food Coloring (buy on amazon here or at Whole Foods), but it is a bit pricey. If you want to do it yourself here are some ideas:

Natural alternatives to artificial food coloring you can use at home:

Pink/light red – beet juice from a can of beets (just a little goes a long way!), raspberry or strawberry preserves, pomegranate juice

Purple – boil red cabbage & use the juice

Blue – add a little baking soda to the red cabbage extract or use blueberry preserves/juice

Brown – cocoa powder

Yellow – a tiny bit of turmeric or Bolthouse Farms Carrot juice

Orange – tiny bit of turmeric + beet juice or canned pumpkin

Green – cook spinach until just bright green (don't overcook), puree it and use a tiny bit in frosting