Homemade Easter Egg Dye

Easter is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to color some eggs with homemade Easter egg dye! While traditional food coloring works well, why not try something different this year and create natural egg dye using ingredients you may already have in your kitchen? In this blog post, we’ll go over how to create natural dye with red cabbage, dried hibiscus, grape juice, and beets and use them to dye Easter eggs.

Homemade Easter Egg Dye Ingredients:

Red Cabbage

Dried Hibiscus Flowers

Fresh Beets

Grape Juice

White Vinegar

Water

How to create natural Homemade Easter Egg Dye:

Red Cabbage Dye:

1. Chop a whole red cabbage into small pieces.
2. Add the cabbage to a pot and cover it with water.
3. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Strain the liquid into a glass container and cool completely.
5. Once cooled, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to set the color.

Dried Hibiscus Dye:

1. Add 2 cups of dried hibiscus flowers to a pot and cover it with water.
2. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain the liquid into a glass container and cool completely.
4. Once cooled, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to set the color.

Beet Dye:

1. Chop 2 medium-sized beets into small pieces.
2. Add the beets to a pot and cover with water.
3. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Strain the liquid into a glass container and cool completely.
5. Once cooled, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to set the color.

Grape Juice Dye:

1. Pour 4 cups of 100% grape juice into a pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain the liquid into a glass container and cool completely.
4. Once cooled, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to set the color.

Using Homemade Dye to Dye Easter Eggs:

1. Hard boil your eggs and let them cool to room temperature.
2. Place your chosen homemade egg dye into a glass jar or bowl.
3. Add your eggs to the jar and let them sit in the dye for 30 minutes to an hour. The longer they sit, the more vibrant the color will be. If you want a very deep color, let them sit overnight.
4. Remove the eggs from the dye and dry them on a paper towel.
5. Repeat with other dyes, if desired.

These eggs are meant to look natural and will dry matte. (If you want a more vibrant color, rub a bit of oil on the shell after it’s completely dry.) Each egg will have its own unique color and pattern. It’s part of the beauty of this technique! You can experiment with different combinations of colors and even try different edible ingredients to create your unique dyes. Hoppy Easter!

FAQ:

What else can I make natural homemade Easter Egg Dye with?

You can also use berries, spinach, yellow onion skins, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, blueberries, and coffee to make natural dye. Experiment with other ingredients you have in the kitchen! Kids love to participate in this!

What does vinegar do to egg dye?

Vinegar adds the acidity needed to create the ideal conditions for the calcium in the shell to accept the dye.

Do cold or warm eggs dye better?

Warm water helps the eggshell to absorb the dye better.

Will the dye work for both white and brown eggs?

Yes, the natural homemade dyes will work on both white and brown eggs. The brown eggs will form a richer deeper color and the white eggs more subdued tones.

Did you make this? Tag me on IG at www.instagram.com/iamcaked or FB at http://www.facebook.com/cakedbycynthiawhite. I’d love to see your creations!