Dyeing Easter Eggs with Gel Food Coloring

Until the Easter of 2020, I had never spent an Easter at home.  We have always traveled to my parents house.

Then the 2020 pandemic happened with all the dire warnings about interacting with other households.  We made the difficult decision to stay home.  I asked my mom for her traditional recipes, bought commercial egg dye, and set out to make the best of a bad situation.

Then, in 2021, we had to dye eggs at home again.  Hubs are honored to be a confirmation sponsor for an adult entering the church at our home parish, which required us to stay home for most of the Easter masses (we dashed to my parents for a quick Easter Sunday/Monday trip).

Finally last year, in 2022, we were ready for an Easter trip to spend time with my family.  Then, not one but two late season blizzards pounded the region and, for the third year running, we were stuck at home.  This time, I hadn’t purchased commercial dye and I had doubts I would even be able to find it so close to Easter, so I started thinking about other options.  As a cake decorator, I have an extensive food coloring collection, so I decided to give it a whirl.

The results were stunning!  The colors were so vibrant and beautiful, it is now my favorite way to dye eggs!

Dyeing Easter Eggs with Gel Food Coloring

Recipe from Skip to My Lou

½ cup warm water, per cup

3-5 drops gel food coloring, per cup

1 tablespoon white vinegar

Hard Boiled Eggs

Place the water, food coloring, and vinegar in a cup.  Stir until the food coloring is dissolved in the water.  Repeat with as many colors as desired.

Gently place hard boiled eggs into the cups.  Soak for 5 minutes or until desired shade is achieved.  Dry on towels, then return to egg cartons and refrigerate until ready to use.