Achieving the Perfect Christmas Buttercream Colours: Festive Red & Green Made Easy!

With Christmas just around the corner (only 45 days to go!), it’s time to start planning your festive bakes.  Whether you’re dreaming up buttercream swirls on cupcakes or elegant piped flowers on a grand Christmas cake, nailing those iconic Christmas colours—rich, vibrant red and lush green—is key to bringing Christmas magic to life.  But achieving those perfect shades can be a bit tricky, so I’m here to help!

The Struggle for Vibrant Christmas Colours in Buttercream: One of the most common frustrations I hear from aspiring decorators is about getting that perfect shade of Christmas red.  If you’ve tried, you know that simply adding red colouring to buttercream won’t do the trick—you’re more likely to end up with a dull pink than a bright, bold red.  No one wants to waste nearly an entire pot of food colouring just to end up with something less than festive.

So, What’s the Secret? Here’s the step-by-step I teach in my classes along with the products I use with links (Please note: These are affiliate links, so if you decide to try them out, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you):

1. Start with a Strong Pink Base: This may sound surprising, but starting with a good base of pink is key! I recommend Progel Pink or Sugarflair Hot Pink—add a generous amount to your buttercream and mix it in until you have a strong pink base.

2. Add Your Red Colouring: Add Red: Now for the magic!  Take Sugarflair Red Extra (my absolute favourite red) and use a palette knife to mix in a good amount until you reach that perfect Christmas red.  You’ll find that by building the colour this way, you achieve a vibrant red without using up a whole pot of colour.

*Top Tip for Deeper Reds: For even richer red buttercream, make your red the day before and store it in the fridge.  This will give the colour time to deepen and intensify overnight, making your Christmas bakes pop with colour.

The Ultimate Christmas Green

To balance that rich red, let’s tackle the perfect green—a vibrant, festive green that isn’t too harsh or too muted.

1. Start with Vibrant Green: I love Fractal Vivid Green for its bold, true green colour.

2. Add a Touch of Gooseberry: To deepen the green and add a touch of natural richness, add a small amount of Sugarflair Gooseberry.  This brings a hint of earthiness to the mix, making it perfect for Christmas designs.

Final Tips for Festive Buttercream Success

Whether you’re decorating a batch of cupcakes or an entire cake, planning ahead is the secret to achieving those stunning, true Christmas colours.  Make your buttercream in advance and be sure to let the colours develop for maximum impact.

If you need a little more guidance or want to learn how to create these colours and designs hands-on, I’ve still got a few spots in my Christmas Cupcake Class!  Spaces are limited, so don’t wait—check out the Classes page and secure your spot for a festive, fun, and informative session.

Happy Decorating!