If you are trying to replicate the color of human skin when decorating a cake, cupcake or any other food product, the accuracy of the color will be a crucial factor in the outcome. Flesh-colored food coloring exists pre-mixed and available for purchase, and will yield the most accurate results. But if you’re in a pinch, you can create a similar tone from the colors you already have in your cupboard.
Create brown food coloring by mixing equal parts red and green food coloring in a small bowl. Test the color by inserting a toothpick into the mixture and mixing it into a spoonful of white icing. Add a drop or two of yellow food coloring, if necessary.
Add several drops of red food coloring to another bowl. Add water and mix, until a light pink shade is achieved. Test the shade, as before.
Mix light pink food coloring with a small amount of brown food coloring in a third bowl. Start with conservative amounts of each, increasing as necessary, to create the shade of flesh desired.
Tip
Mix enough food coloring at one time to decorate your entire project. It will be extremely difficult to match the same color you create at a later time. (see Reference 1) Consider the color of the substance to which you are adding the food coloring. These steps assume a pure white base, and you may have to adjust your mixtures for any other color or shade of icing.
Warning
Food coloring can stain bowls, hands and kitchen surfaces. Wear gloves and cover your table or counter top with parchment paper to prevent this.
References
Writer Bio
Alyssa Brode began writing in 2001. She served as a staff writer for her high school newspaper, "The Arrowhead," and has been freelancing ever since. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College of Rider University with a double major in voice performance and computer information systems and is pursuing a Master of Music in opera performance.