6 Best Food Colorings for Chocolate

Chocolate? Well, chocolate is delicious. There’s no argument about that. But the brown color isn’t always ideal for your recipe. When you want to add color to rather dull-looking chocolate goodies, you’ll need food coloring for chocolate – in which case; I recommend the U.S. Cake Supply 2-ounce Bottle Kit.

Hey, everyone! My name’s Michelle, and I’ve been decorating cookies, cakes, and chocolates for years. I have enjoyed every second of it! One of my favorite things to do is add lots of colors to my treats, so I decided to come up with this comprehensive list of the best food coloring for chocolate.

U.S. Cake Supply is a brand you’ll see on my list a couple of times, and that’s simply because they’re the best choice. However, the 2-ounce bottle kit ranked number one. I simply love all of the different color options, and each color is impressively vibrant and easy to use.

Everyone has their own wants and needs when it comes to food coloring for chocolate. So, I picked out the top six, hoping you find the perfect fit for your chocolaty treats.

What are we waiting for? Let’s get chocolaty!

Best Food Coloring for Chocolate: Top Picks

There are a lot of food coloring products for chocolate on the market, so choosing the right one can be difficult. I’m here to make it easier. I’ve hand-selected these six options based on price, features, and reviews. You’re sure to find a product you’ll love!

1. U.S. Cake Supply 2-ounce Bottle Kit (Best Choice)

• Features: Vibrant colors, easy to use, won’t change texture or taste, eight colors included, color wheel included for customization, large bottles, trusted brand, fade-resistant
• Size: 2 ounces
• # of Colors: 8

This kit ranked as the number one option for many reasons. I’ll start by mentioning that U.S. Cake Supply is a tried-and-true, trusted brand that bakers around the world employ in their baked goods. This kit is no exception.

Aside from its renowned popularity, this U.S. Cake Supply food coloring kit is number one due to the vibrancy of the colors. It comes in eight shades, from a striking blue to an eye-catching red. A little goes a long way, changing the color of your chocolate with a single drop or two.

The best part is that the formula is uniquely designed to ensure it does not alter the flavor or texture of your treat, no matter how many drops you end up using. And with two-ounce bottles of each color, you won’t have to worry about replacing your must-have colors anytime soon.

Another perk of this product is that it comes with a color wheel to help you blend to create the color you need. However, this is also the downfall: some customers got their package without the wheel. It’s a simple fix, though – contact the seller, and they’ll send it over!

2. U.S. Cake Supply Color Cake Food Coloring Liqua-Gel Decorating Kit (Most Colors)

• Features: Gel formula, easy to use, 24 colors to choose from, won’t change texture or taste, fade-resistant, won’t bleed, vibrant shades, trusted brand
• Size: 0.75 ounces
• # of Colors: 24

If you’re anything like me, you always look to get the biggest bang for your buck. You want to get the most product for a great price. That, or you simply love to have lots of color options – who can blame you?

Whichever category you fit into, this liqua-gel decorating kit is your answer. This kit comes with a whopping 24 colors to choose from, including yellow, pink, red, green, and so much more. The bottles are smaller at 0.75 fluid ounces, but you have more to choose from. Perfect compromise!

While the color options are a standout feature, another advantage of this product is its gel formula, making it much easier to work with than traditional liquid food coloring. There is zero bleeding or fading – just beautiful and vibrant goodies time and time again.

Customers love these liqua-gels! The only minor issue had nothing to do with the product. Rather, it had to do with packaging. Some consumers received their package with a broken bottle or two. This is a problem that can be remedied by an email or phone call.

3. Happy Belly Assorted Food Coloring (Best Primary Colors) 

• Features: Primary colors, lively hues, great for beginners, easy to store, easy to use
• Size: 0.3 ounces
• # of Colors: 4

On the other hand, sometimes it’s better to just stick with the basics. And that’s what this pack from Happy Belly is all about.

This pack of four food colorings for chocolate keeps things simple. It comes with a green, red, yellow, and blue bottle, so you can create some delicious treats using primary colors. 

The bottles are relatively small, with just 0.3 fluid ounces each. This isn’t a big issue, though, especially if you’re new to the world of coloring your chocolate and aren’t sure if it’s right for you. The colors are also so lively that you won’t need to use more than a drop or two per chocolate goodie.

People really love these colors! The only issue, again, was with the packaging. A few customers ended up with broken or leaking bottles that needed to be replaced. But other than that, these food colorings work like a charm!

4. U.S. Color Cake Food Coloring Liqua-Gel Decorating Baking Neon Colors Set (Best Neon Colors)

• Features: Neon shades, liqua-gel formula, easy to use, fade-resistant, won’t bleed, won’t alter texture or taste, trusted brand
• Size: 0.75 ounces
• # of Colors: 6

Regular colors? Well, they have their place and are a must for certain baked treats. But what happens when you want your chocolates to have a wild neon shade? Are you out of luck? Of course, not! You simply need to buy this set from the U.S. Cake Supply.

This set has six neon shades to handle all your neon-baking needs, including yellow, blue, green, orange, pink, and purple. All colors are tasteless and fade-resistant, with zero bleeding, ensuring magical chocolates every time.

Another “pro” of these neon food colorings is that they’re made with the famous liqua-gel formula. The formula allows you to apply droplets to your chocolates without the fear of over-pouring or messes that could lead to endless kitchen cleanups.

A few people mentioned that the tops were somewhat difficult to open. With a bit of elbow grease and trial and error, though, this shouldn’t be a problem for long. You can always store them in different containers if it’s too much of a hassle.

5. Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring (Daintiest Colors)

• Features: Lovely, dainty shades, six light colors to choose from, easy to use, only requires a few drops, allergen-free
• Size: 0.67 ounces
• # of Colors: 6

Neon isn’t suitable for everyone, and neither are deep rich hues. If your project calls for something a little more dainty, like blush or lavender, you will be happy to have this set in your kitchen arsenal.

The standout feature of this set is that it comes with six delightfully dainty shades that can be used for several projects, from chocolate-covered to strawberries to frosting. The oil-based formula works like a charm and will create beautiful results.

Now, you might be nervous that these incredibly light shades won’t show up as well as darker ones. But this simply isn’t the case. Yes, these shades are much lighter, but they’ll still show up with just a few drops. 

Customers have been overly pleased with their purchase of these food colorings. The only issue? You guessed it – with packaging. Some packages arrived with broken or leaking bottles, in which case they needed to be replaced. A hassle? Yes. A big deal? Not really.

6. Watkins Assorted Food Coloring (Natural Option)

• Features: No artificial dyes or colors, natural blend of veggie juices and spices, primary colors, non-GMO, gluten-free
• Size: 0.3 ounces
• # of Colors: 4

A lot of people are worried about artificial colors and dyes these days, and that’s OK – I don’t blame you! But that’s precisely why I decided to add the Watkins Assorted Food Coloring set to my top six list.

The Watkins food colorings set comes with four primary colors, including blue, green, red, and yellow. With these colors, you can mix to create whatever color your chocolate treat is calling for with ease.

The most significant benefit to this set is that the food colorings are made with zero artificial colors. Instead, they’re crafted with a blend of vegetable juices and spices such as turmeric and spirulina extract. Made naturally, they’re non-GMO, gluten-free, and far more natural.

Although these food colorings are fantastic for those avoiding artificial dyes and colors, they’re not the best choice for vividness. The colors are “sub-par,” and you’ll need to use many drops to achieve the desired shade. They still work – they just aren’t as lively or deep-hued as others.

Best Food Coloring for Chocolate: Things to Consider

Okay, so now you know which food coloring for chocolate ranked in the top six on the market. That’s great and all, but you’re likely still struggling with which one to buy. Let me help you out. Consider these crucial things before deciding.

Colors

Which colors do you need or want? If you’re not planning to use them again soon, you might stick with the four primary colors. If you want access to lots of colorful treats, definitely look for a set that comes with more than the primary colors.

Also, keep in mind how you want your final product to look. If you’re going for something out of the box, like neon or nude, you will need to find these specialty colors.

Bottle Size

Again, this depends on how often you plan to use the food colorings. Is it every once in a while, or more than once a week? Those who use food colorings for chocolate often will want to find a pack with larger bottles to cut down on costs (and the frustration of shipping times).

Formula

There are essentially three types of formulas on this list. For one, you have the “traditional” liquid formula. It works like a charm, and the colors come out amazing. 

Secondly, you have the liqua-gel formulas. Due to the gel-like consistency, they’re easier to use, and you can be more accurate with your drops. They also cut down on overall messes in the kitchen, which is always a perk.

Lastly, you have the liquid, all-natural food coloring. This food coloring is made with zero artificial colors or dyes, making them the better choice for health-conscious individuals or those with allergies.

Added Features

There aren’t too many features when it comes to food coloring for chocolate, but there are still a few.

For instance, some are designed to fend off fading and bleeding, which may be a must if you’re concerned about these mishaps. Others are smaller, so they will be easier to store than large bottles.

When deciding which is right for you, pay close attention to the “features” listed below the product name. This will provide quick access to learning about all the standout “pros” each product offers.

Verdict

These are excellent food coloring options for chocolate, but the U.S. Cake Supply 2-ounce Bottle Kit remains the top choice. It has plenty of easy-to-use colors, making it a great choice for beginners and professionals alike. 

Which is your favorite food coloring for chocolate?

I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. It's been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.