Toning Down Pink Icing
Pink icing seems easy enough, but when it comes to matching specific colors that “simple pink” can quickly become a source of frustration. If you’ve ever run into the the problem of pink icing being just a little too bright, try this tip.
Tone down bright pink icing by adding a blue or green color to the mix. The original shade of pink {left} was completely transformed with only a touch of each.
I prefer to use leftover icing whenever possible because I’m much less likely to add too much. If you don’t have leftover icing, gel paste works, but I suggest using a toothpick for every addition. A little bit goes a long way.
Here’s another example. The pink on the right is Wilton rose. With a toothpick point of turquoise gel paste, it morphed into the shade on the left. Subtle, but definitely noticeable.
For this set I added a little of the green icing to the pink to really tie the colors together.
Any shade of blue, green or turquoise can dramatically change the hue of pink icing, but don’t stop there. The next time you find yourself struggling with a specific color try adding a touch of a contrasting shade. You may be surprised at what you come up with.
If you like these cookies, be sure to check out these helpful posts:
- Simple Royal Icing Roses
- Adding Leaves to Flower Cookies
- How to Create Coordinating Icing Colors
- Adding Ivory {Experimenting With Color}
- More on Experimenting with Icing Color
- Printable Color Chart
I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!
This is wonderful information. Thank you! Also, I could use more information on “leftover” icing. How long does it last? Must it be refrigerated? And, how do you determine the amount of icing for each project? For example, does 1/2 cup provide enough for outlining and flooding – say a dozen 3 inch cookies or is it 1 cup or 2 cups? I can’t seem to “color” the right amount, and either fall short, or have way too much left. If I made cookies frequently, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. But, my projects are spread apart by even weeks or months. I hate wasting all that powdered sugar and meringue powder! Any hints in future posts to help me plan better would be greatly appreciated.
I’m thrilled to have mastered the flooding technique, however, I’m getting tiny bumps. I outline with a slightly thicker icing, followed by flooding and use then a popsicle stick to spread icing, next I use a molding tool to pop any large air bubbles. I’m still getting teeny tiny bumps all over all the cookies- can’t figure out why:( any ideas???
So SMART! I always end up adding a ton more fresh icing or white color to tone it down and then I have a GIANT bowl of pink… hahaha
I will have to remember this next time!
Very helpful, Callye! You always have the best posts! Thanks!
Great info!! I always want to tone down my pinks, even soft pink is too bright for me. Thanks so much Callye!
I do this for gray. Some black colors (Americolor, I’m looking at you) are very inconsistent and sometimes based in purple, other times in green if you’re trying to make gray, add purple to a greenish tint and green to a purplish tint to fix. Saved me lots of times.
I always try mixing a bunch of leftover colors + cocoa as a base for black. It doesn’t take that much gel and it tastes yummy. Try it! 🙂
That’s so awesome! It can be so frustrating to get the ‘perfect’ color! I can’t wait to try this trick!
That is amazing…. And the cookies are so beautiful too. I do a lot of pink cookies and that is a great tip to know.. Thanks for sharing!
So pretty. I love these shades of pink. You create such soft colors Callye!
Really gorgeous designs. Love when art meets food!
Green is always the color that gets too “bright” for me. I’ll have to experiment on toning it down with a dot of other color
Try red purple or ivory 🙂
I am so glad to see this posting on toning down pink color. I’ve been stuck with this dilemma several times. I know one thing, Wilton makes it very difficult to get ANY sort of soft, delicate pink with their icing colors. Even trying some other brand names I still haven’t been able to achieve the soft, delicate, pastel pink I’m looking for to do some projects I want to try. I’ve been trying to find a paste or gel that will allow me to mix a VERY soft, mild, gentle, light delicate pink. The sort of light pink that comes to mind when you think of the nicest, softest baby pink for a small, infant girl. I don’t necessarily want it for any baby project, but that’s usually what comes to mind when people here soft, light pink color. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Wonderful beautiful pink! Now, how about the wonderful beautiful yellow on that platter? You know, like-not light NEON or OSHA YELLOW! We won’t get sick of the tone down the color topic!
I’ve found I get the best yellows if I use egg yellow instead of lemon yellow. And if you use just a drop of it, you can get that beautiful, pastel yellow.
That’s my personal fave too!
Great! I’ll give egg yellow a try. I was afraid it would be orangy but you two convinced me!
I follow your blog and your facebook. I’m not super tech-y so I don’t do the other social networks. Anywho, I am always blown away by your work. You make it seem so easy. I began decorating cookies at Valentine’s Day this year. I had seen your blog and a few others and thought “I HAVE to try this!” I have fallen in love with decorated cookies. I’ve had the opportunity of following a few of your tutorials already, and I’m sure I will use many more in the future. Thank you for the inspiration, tutorials, tips & tricks, and the creative uses of cutters. I love it all!
Soo good to know! I’ve been waiting for a post on pinks so thanks a million!
I love seeing how you come up with different colours – who would think of adding blue or green 🙂 I love your colour chart too and use it all the time! I use Wilton colours and have just had the most dreadful time trying to mix burgundy icing. Just could not get it right, and it then went and changed as it dried. Sheesh, just had to go for it in the end 🙂 It is the only colour that I have ever had any issue making … especially with trying to avoid the awful colouring flavour using pinks too. Thanks for all the inspiration, your cookies are wonderful!
I would not have thought to add green or blue to create that lovely shade of pink. I do cakes and use mostly buttercream. I got a little too heavy-handed with the wilton pink the other day and it came out way to neon. I ended up adding a touch of brown and it toned down to a pink that I could use. I follow your blog and am working up the courage to try cookies one day.
I love this colour palette, I’d love a bedroom this colour scheme! Such pretty cookies!
Calleye, HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Saturday is your Birthday Sept 7 th and I will not have a chance to send you a Birthday Wish thru email, so I am sending Birthday Wishes to you today. Hope you have a wonderful Birthday with alot of Cake and Cookies and good Foods.
Saturday will be a Special Day for you and your Family and Friends HAVE LOTS OF FUN
Awe! THANK YOU! You made my “early” birthday!
This is such a helpful tip. You color pallettes are always breathtaking. Thank you for sharing your secret. I would never have thought to add blue or green to get the beautiful shade of pink.
I love your color posts! I look forward to possible Fall or Christmas color ones. Thanks for always sharing your tips.
What a handy trick! I am going to have to remember this one!
Great post! It’s amazing what just a little touch of contrasting color will do! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi Callye,
Your cookies are beautiful! So simple, but elegant. You inspire me with every post! Quick question – what cookie cutter did you use to create the roses?
Oh wauw, you made those cookies look amazing! I’m definitely going to remember that trick and try it out soon..
Thank you so much for this post, I have never ever got the shade of pink I want, hope this trick help me next time!
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Callye, do you have a post on how to make the monologue cookies shown in this set? I couldn’t find it on your site.
Thank you, so much for sharing your experiences, because it certainly does help us rookies along the learning curve! So many techniques to get a handle on… Every single tip such as this one saves us a lot of time as well as enhances the loveliness of our efforts! You and Haniela and Jen at CC&C are much appreciated!
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I love your site and your cookies and thank you so much for sharing your hints and tips. I have read through your FAQ section but wondered if you can link me to the answer to this one? I noticed you said you like to add left over icing to tone down colors. How do you store your left over Royal Icing and for how long will that last? Thanks so much and thanks for all the wonderful ideas and beautiful cookies you show us. You are SO creative!
You have save us a lot of tubes. Tks
Hi, thank you for this post and the whole blog!!! You are my inspiration and cookiepedia 🙂 I haven’t read all your post but I’m on the good way 😉 I’m very begginer in the painting of cookies, have a few cutters, tips, plastic bags and paste to color icing…but I feel like Alice in Wonderland 😉 I want to know more and more and more…I like very much design of this cookies or etter said: colors and wondering which was a order to make them: white, silver, yellow, green and pink (I’ve read your other post about how to create coordinating icing colors using the same bowl)? thank you very much for your answer:-)
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Great tips, and beautiful pictures too I must say!!
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Hi! These are lovely, a customer has sent me that pic and wants the rounds and flowers for a shower. i’m just wondering, for the rounds, in what order did you lay the icing? center circle first? last?
trying to figure out the best way, i mean–no pressure rt? i’ve been at this for 6 weeks and i get a request for your design…ah 😉 thanks so much for sharing! love the flower idea, my cutter came in the other day.
thanks so much!
This cookie caught my eye a long time ago. All the colors look so great – such balance. When it comes together like this, it is timeless. It is just so pleasing to the eye.