Homemade Powder Food Coloring

• The easiest way to make your own powdered food coloring is by buying freeze-dried fruits and blending them into a fine powder in a food processor. You can also dry your own fruits and vegetables by baking them at low temperatures in the oven or dehydrating them in a dehydrator and then grinding them into a fine powder with a food processor. These powders can be added directly to the recipe. I usually start with 1 teaspoon of powder and add more as needed, taste testing in between to be sure the powder doesn’t alter the taste of my recipe. It also helps to sift the powder into the recipe to avoid any clumps.

Homemade Liquid Food Coloring

• Making liquid food coloring can be made from juice, such as beet juice, either homemade or store bought- though it’s best if the juice is pure concentrated juice and not watered down. Fruit and vegetable purées can also be used but they need to be strained or they will be too thick and/or chunky. You can also simmer fruits or vegetables in a saucepan until they reduce (water evaporates) and then purée with an immersion blender. Tip: Reducing the liquid (evaporating the water) is a vital step in making sure the liquid color is as concentrated as it can be for the best results.