Colored coconut flakes are a fun and easy way to dress up cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more. These vibrant shredded coconut pieces in any hue allow me to add a decorative flair and personal touch to all our favorite baked goods. While plain white coconut flakes are tasty, dyeing them in customized colors opens up endless possibilities for festive dessert decorations and garnishes.
These come in handy in a variety of recipes including my Rice Krispies egg nests which is perfect for spring. So if you’ve been wondering how to dye shredded coconut, this easy how to guide is for you.
Colored coconut flakes are fun!
Whether you need pale pink coconut flakes for a baby shower cake or bright green for St. Patrick's Day treats, learning how to color shredded coconut is a simple process.
With just a few drops of food coloring, you can achieve eye-catching results. These colorful coconut toppings make desserts truly special for any occasion, holiday or celebration.
Why dye coconut?
- Customized colors for any occasion, from pastels for Easter to vibrant hues for birthdays
- Adds an artistic, decorative touch to desserts
- A fun and creative way to get kids involved in baking.
Ingredients
- Shredded Coconut
- Food color of choice.
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- Ziplock bags
How to dye shredded coconut in easy steps
This is an overview of the recipe with step by step photos. Scroll down to end of post for a printable recipe card with the amount of ingredients and full recipe instructions.
Place coconut flakes in a ziplock bag
Add 2-3 drops of food coloring or gel food color and seal.
Massage the bags to evenly distribute the color.
Add more coloring a few drops at a time until desired shade is reached
Spread colored coconut on a baking sheet to dry completely if you are not using immediately.
How to use + Recipes using shredded coconut.
The colored coconut makes a wonderful garnish or decorative topping for cakes, cupcakes, candy, cookies, Rice Krispie treats and more.
Simply sprinkle over frosted desserts or press into the sides. It can also be used in coconut macaroon filling or mixed into batters and doughs like this coconut sprinkles.
Here are some recipes using colored shredded coconut
- Rice Krispies Cadbury mini eggs nests
- Bird’s nest cupcakes
- Soccer cookie cake
- Bird’s nest cookies (these are plain but that’s ok)
How to store
If not using immediately, allow the dyed coconut to dry fully before storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Helpful Tips
- It’s easier and less messy to mix the shredded coconut in a ziplock bag than in a bowl.
- Start with just a little dye, as it's easy to add more but hard to remove excess color.
- If you want a custom color, mix the food color combo first before m dyeing the coconut. Adding the two colors separately to the coconut would not give you the desired result.
- When coloring the coconut, less is more because the color deepens with time.
FAQs
Start with just 2-3 drops for 2 cups of shredded coconut adding more a few drops at a time until desired color intensity is reached.
Yes, both liquid food dyes and gel food colorings will work for dyeing coconut flakes.
Use a toothpick to scoop up small amounts of different food colors and mix them together before adding to the coconut.
Properly stored in an airtight container, colored coconut will last up to 1 month at room temperature.
More Kitchen tips and how to guides
- How to melt white chocolate in the microwave.
- How to melt chocolate chips.
- How to melt marshmallows.
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
Dyed, tinted or colored coconut flakes are an easy and creative way to add a decorative touch to all your favorite baked goods. With this simple guide, you can achieve any vibrant hue to make your cakes and desserts extra special. Get started coloring shredded coconut and watch your fun baking projects come to life!
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How to color coconut
Equipment
- Ziploc bag
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 2 to 3 drops of gel food color or choice
Instructions
- Transfer shredded coconut into a ziplock bag
- Add 2-3 drops of food color and seal the bag.
- Massage the bag to evenly distribute the color.
- Add more coloring a few drops at a time until desired shade is reached. Add a little less of color than the shade you are aiming because the color deepens as time goes on.
- Spread colored coconut on a baking sheet to dry completely.
Notes
- It’s easier and less messy to mix the shredded coconut in a ziplock bag than in a bowl.
- Start with just a little dye, as it's easy to add more but hard to remove excess color.
- When coloring the coconut, less is more because the color deepens with time.
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