April 6, 2012

Eggs to Dye For

Pin It
Margaret's Morsels | Gel Icing Color Easter Eggs

My son stopped hunting Easter eggs years ago, but I still dye a dozen every year.  It's a tradition just like the bunny shaped cake I make for dessert.  I've always used an egg dyeing kit, but not anymore.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw something on the Wilton website about using gel icing color to dye eggs.  I thought this was a great idea -- I could create the exact shades I wanted -- so I decided to give it a try.  I'm glad I did because these are the prettiest eggs I've ever dyed!

Gel icing color is a concentrated paste sold in small jars in a variety of colors.  It produces richer, more vibrant colors and, because it's concentrated, a little dab will do!


Margaret's Morsels | Gel Icing Color Easter Eggs
These are the colors I used

If you've never worked with gel icing color, the most important thing to remember is to use a toothpick to remove the gel from the jar.


Margaret's Morsels | Gel Icing Color Easter Eggs

If you need more color, use another toothpick and repeat the process. This keeps the gel from getting contaminated which is important when you're dipping the toothpick into frosting.  In this case, it keeps the gel from getting diluted with water.

Unlike kits that use lemon juice or vinegar to dissolve tablets, the gel is dissolved in very hot water.  If you're like me and don't have an instant hot water dispenser, turn the hot water on and let it run until the faucet feels hot to the touch.  Pour 3/4 cup water into a container -- I use clear plastic disposable cups -- and add the desired amount of gel.


Margaret's Morsels | Gel Icing Color Easter Eggs

Stir until the gel is dissolved.


Margaret's Morsels | Gel Icing Color Easter Eggs

Stir in one tablespoon of white vinegar and add the boiled egg.



Let the egg sit in the cup until it reaches the desired color.  Remove the egg and let dry.  I put the eggs back in the egg carton to dry and stored them in the refrigerator.


Margaret's Morsels | Gel Icing Color Easter Eggs


I definitely plan to dye eggs this way again next year.  In the meantime, I need to decide whether to use these for deviled eggs or egg salad sandwiches.

© Margaret's Morsels

22 comments:

  1. they are a lot prettier- much richer color, even richer than doubled up paas tablets! thank you so much for the tip!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're welcome! I'm glad it worked good for you. I'm definitely dyeing eggs this way again next year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Some great tips you have here!

    Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! This is the only way I dye Easter eggs anymore. I think the colors are so much prettier than the ones from the egg dyeing kit. Thanks for hosting the party!

      Delete
  4. I love this idea and it's being featured today! Thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

    http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2014/04/featuring-you_16.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you like it, Lisa! I love the versatility since I can choose the colors I want instead of being limited by what's in the kit. Thank you so much for featuring it on your page! I'll be stopping by shortly:)

      Delete
  5. Always have fond memories of dying eggs as a child with my Mother :)
    Super fun!
    This looks deelish! Perfect side dish for Easter :)
    Thanks for sharing at "Share Your Stuff Tuesdays", Rachael @ http://www.parentingandhomeschoolinginfaith.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rachael! I always enjoyed dyeing eggs as a kid too. I loved it when my son was young enough to dye eggs. He's a teenager now so I have to dye the eggs by myself!

      Delete
  6. I really like the colorful hue of the eggs. It makes them an Easter rainbow he he. Thank you for sharing this post... I am sending you many wishes for a happy Easter ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Krystallia! I love being able to choose the colors and shades for the eggs, something you can't do with a dye kit. I hope you have a wonderful Easter as well!!

      Delete
  7. Definitely some great tips you have here!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! Thanks for hosting another great party!

      Delete
  8. Thanks for sharing your creativity with the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!

    Shellie
    www.thefabjourney.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for hosting the party, Shellie! I hope you have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful, I made with both food dye and natural ones. Excellent post, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Swathi! I haven't bought an egg dyeing kit since I discovered this technique. Thanks for hosting, pinning and tweeting! I hope you have a good week.

      Delete
  11. What a fantastic tip! I had no idea you could do this - and the more intense colour means I can work with our brown eggs here in the UK (we get very few white shelled eggs here). Thank you so much for sharing this post with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop, Margaret. I'm featuring it at this week's hop. Hope to 'see' you there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, April, for featuring this on this week's hop!!!! I love dyeing eggs this way because I can choose the exact shades and colors I want. I hope you have a great week!

      Delete
  12. I use the Wilton gel all the time and just love it. Great post! Hope you have a very special week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Miz Helen! Who would have thought gel icing could be used to dye Easter eggs! I love dyeing them this way and haven't bought an egg dyeing kit in years. I hope you have a good week.

      Delete
  13. I'm so like you! My kids stopped coloring eggs long ago, but I still do every year & am always looking for new ideas! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Michelle! Those eggs turn into a very colorful batch of Egg Salad the day after Easter! Thanks for hosting the party. I hope you have a great week.

      Delete