Okay...I'm trying to make a RED BCD...and it's not working...Please help. Can anyone tell me how to make the Buttercream Dream....True red.

Chefmaster liqua gel colors are the best. You get a deep red instantly with no after taste. I used it for the catsup on my hamburger cake in my photos if you want to check out the color. No waiting for it to intensify.

Ok - if you only have wilton gel - The only way to get true red is with TIME! If you put in a ton of gel color and then let it sit overnight you will have true red! I had exactly the same problem - when elmo is for a little boy it just can't be sort of pink! Now that I have done elmo like 50 times I always make the red two days ahead. I hope this info isn't reaching you too late.

I hope you have time to let the frosting darken.

Good luck!

check out NCACS www.cakeshow.org

Also, I just remembered Elmo takes way less icing than you think. (stars method) You only need to color like 1 cup of frosting maybe even less - the smaller the batch the faster the pigment is going to turn true red.

I did elmo for my son's first birthday...If you're using the Wilton gel, I found if you mix it well, then cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for a while...I don't know what it is but the cold of the fridge made it intensify much quicker...I learned this trick from my cake instructor.

Thanks everyone. I actually have Americolor and Wilton, and I 'm using the stand up cuddly bear pan for Elmo. The bad thing is...I'm making the cake today for tomorrow. OOOPS! My bad. If I mix the two brands and add cherry kool-aid would that work??

Make it dark pink first then add red (no taste wilton if you have it) and wont get the bad taste because you wont have to use as much red coloring.