Are you looking to create an exquisite navy blue buttercream frosting? Whether it’s for a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, or birthday party, navy blue is a popular and captivating color choice. However, many people struggle to achieve the right shade of navy blue, often ending up with a blue that is either too purple or too gray/black. But don’t worry! I have some simple tricks and expert tips to help you achieve a rich and beautiful navy blue color, without any hassle or microwave melting.
The Secret to Navy Blue Buttercream: Black, Violet, and Royal Blue
One cup of untinted buttercream frosting with Wilton Royal Blue, Violet, and Black gel food dyes
Let’s delve into the method of creating navy blue buttercream using gel food dyes in black, violet, and royal blue. These shades are all conveniently available in the Wilton 12-Piece Food Coloring Set. The ratio for achieving navy blue is simple: equal parts of black, violet, and royal blue gel food dyes.
To make one cup of navy blue buttercream, you will need 1/4 teaspoon of black, 1/4 teaspoon of violet, and 1/4 teaspoon of royal blue gel food dyes. If you need more than one cup of navy blue frosting, simply maintain the same ratio. For example, for two cups of frosting, use 1/2 teaspoon of each color. Keep the ratio consistent for larger quantities as well.
Here’s a step-by-step photo progression of adding the gel food dyes: first black, then violet, and finally royal blue. You can add all of these colors at once or gradually to witness the magical transformation.
Adding 1/4 teaspoon of Wilton Black to one cup of buttercream frosting for a deep base color.
Black Base
Adding 1/4 teaspoon of Wilton Violet to the cup of buttercream frosting already mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of black.
Violet and Black Base for Navy Blue Buttercream
Adding in 1/4 teaspoon of Wilton Royal Blue to the cup of buttercream frosting already dyed with violet and black.
Navy Blue Buttercream Immediately After Mixing
Shade of navy blue buttercream 20 minutes after mixing
Comparison of navy blue buttercream shade with Almost Famous navy blue DVD and Wilton Royal Blue gel food dye lid
After about 36 hours, the navy blue buttercream develops even further, becoming richer and more saturated in color.
You can see the stunning result when the navy blue buttercream is piped against white and red buttercream. Plus, it forms a crust, enhancing the color even more.
Navy blue buttercream compared to red and undyed buttercream after 24 hours of drying. The color appears slightly darker on the cookie than it does in the bag.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Navy Blue Frosting
Now that you have the basic method down, here are some expert tips to ensure your navy blue buttercream turns out flawlessly:
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Patience is key: The most crucial tip for preparing navy blue or any dark shade of buttercream is to make it 24-48 hours ahead of time. Similar to how color develops in hair dye or tie-dye shirts, adding gel color to buttercream takes time to fully develop. By allowing the frosting to sit and develop, you can achieve a more accurate prediction of the final color.
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Avoid microwave melting: Unlike popular methods that involve microwaving the frosting to achieve a dark shade, I recommend skipping this step. Microwaving can lead to buttercream breakage, which can be disheartening, especially for beginners. By not microwaving the buttercream, you also save yourself the extra step of rewhipping the frosting.
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Lighten or darken as needed: To achieve a lighter navy blue, gradually add undyed buttercream frosting until you reach your desired shade. Conversely, if you need a darker navy blue, add a small amount of black. Remember, the color will continue to develop as the crust forms, so the initial ratio already yields a pretty dark navy blue.
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Protect lighter colors: If your navy blue buttercream will come into contact with white frosting, consider adding a few drops of white food dye to the white frosting. This will help prevent any bleeding from the dark colors in the navy frosting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Navy Blue Buttercream
Does navy blue buttercream stain your teeth and mouth?
Yes, consuming dark buttercream, especially those with black, can stain your tongue. You may want to experiment with using cocoa powder as a base instead of black dye and then adding violet and royal blue. This could be a future alternative.
Does navy blue buttercream bleed onto lighter colors like white frosting?
Darker shades of buttercream, including navy blue, are more prone to bleeding onto lighter shades, especially when temperatures fluctuate. To minimize the risk, add white liquid drops to your lighter shades. While this can help protect against bleed, it’s not guaranteed.
Can I use liquid food coloring drops to achieve navy blue frosting?
I do not recommend using liquid food coloring to tint buttercream frosting for any color other than pure white. Liquid food coloring can alter the consistency of the frosting, making it challenging to achieve the desired texture. Additionally, liquid food coloring is less potent than gel food dye, which means you’ll need more, potentially increasing costs and potentially falling short of your desired shade. If you have succeeded in achieving navy blue with liquid food coloring, let me know in the comments!
Can buttercream frosting sit out at room temperature?
Buttercream frosting is best enjoyed at room temperature to ensure a soft and pleasant texture. If you serve it straight out of the refrigerator, it may be too firm and taste more buttery. With crusting buttercream, you can safely store it at room temperature for several days, as its high sugar-to-fat ratio makes it shelf-stable.
Does buttercream frosting need to be refrigerated?
If you’re using a crusting buttercream recipe, you can leave it on the counter for several days at room temperature. However, if your house is consistently warmer than average room temperature, refrigeration can help prevent the buttercream from melting and separating. Freezing is also an alternative to refrigeration and tends to retain moisture better.
Save This Guide for Future Reference
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