Every year it’s the same thing, “When are we going to color Easter eggs?” As soon as I bring home the kit, it’s an endless quest by the kids to wear me down and give in. Yesterday was the day, egg coloring day. I decided to get crafty this year and try using food coloring instead of my beloved Paas. I was quite impressed with the results. (The color of the egg, not the doneness…whole other nightmare).
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| The end product (after some were eaten) |
Let’s begin.
First of all, I have the worst time hard boiling eggs (9 and a half times out of 10 they come out awful), so I tried baking some of them. They came out WAY better than the boiled ones. They did come out with some mystery shmutz (of course they did why would they come out the right way), but it wiped off and they get colored and peeled off, so I didn’t care.
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| Boiled some (those didn’t come out well) |
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| Tried baking these (came out very well) |
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| See the mystery shmutz |
I gathered my supplies and got ready.
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| All the needed supplies |
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| Can’t forget my assisstants |
Not using a store bought kit, I didn’t have the nifty pop out circle doohickeys to put my colored eggs in so I was wondering where I was going to put the eggs after they were dipped. I didn’t want to put them back in the carton because I didn’t want the color to smudge. Then I was stuck by genius (I’m overachieving here, watch out); I cut the bottoms off the egg carton with a bread knife and used it that way. Move over Martha, I’m walking by.
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| My genius idea |
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| They fit quite nicely |
Here’s my egg coloring concoction:
½ cup boiling water
1 ½ Tablespoon white vinegar
20 drops food coloring (red will need more to be brighter)
That’s it.
I put them in coffee mugs because I knew they wouldn’t break or crack with the boiling water.
I let the water cool of a little bit (I didn’t want a cold egg going into hot water). Then we were good to go.
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| Our assortment of colors |
I gave each Kraus kid a spoon and told them to GENTLY put their egg into the cup of their choice. I put mine in purple and within 15 seconds, I couldn’t believe the color.
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| Only about 15 seconds in the cup |
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| She’s sad she couldn’t do it too |
All was going well until the two Bossy Boots started. So what if Teddy wanted to keep his egg in one cup the entire time? Is he hogging the table with his fanny? You didn’t even want to use that color anyway. Then the 2 BBs started telling me I was doing it wrong, really? I don’t see long ears and fur on you two.
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| The girls always feel it necessary to sit ON the table |
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| I think that may be the only egg he did |
Whatever, you girls want to be queens of the eggs, knock yourselves out. Teddy left his egg in the mug and went to watch Ted play videogames, I went back to Pinterest. By the time I got back to the kitchen, the BBs had finished all the eggs. Then the BBs wanted to frame the “beautiful masterpieces” they ended up creating (the paper towels). Those two have a mind of their own sometimes.
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| The “masterpieces” they wanted to frame |
Overall, we were successful in our Easter egg experiment.
Haha I love that the girls wanted to frame the paper towels! Totally something I would have done as a kid! The eggs look great and your egg drying rack? Brilliant!
Cute!! I want to try the food coloring method this year too. And I love that your son basically just abandoned his egg. HA.
I love the food coloring method, your egg holder AND the unexpected art masterpieces! I love decorating eggs; and I especially now enjoy it with my grandkids. Wonderful post. (I think my granddogs would rather EAT the eggs!)
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has issues hard boiling eggs. I NEVER get it right 🙂
Oh I have a hard time boiling eggs too! Which is sad because I love hardboiled eggs, lol. I haven't yet gotten around to dyeing eggs with my kids. (Ever, not just this year, ha.) I think I might put it off one more year because, quite frankly, I'm lazy. I'm totally going to make your concoction next year though, thanks for sharing!
So cool! I am terrible at boiling eggs. My dad is the master. I've always wanted to try non-store-bought egg dying. Pinning this so I can use your concoction!
That's great… I didn't even know you could bake eggs instead of boiling. You're way better than Martha, btw.
Move over Martha, indeed! I suck at egg boiling, and when I want egg salad, I buy the Eggland's Best hardboiled peeled ones at BJs. Every Easter, I call my dad for instructions on boiling eggs. Every. single. year. I have to try baking – whole new world! And I love the home made coloring kit – very bright colors!
I can't wait to dye Easter eggs this weekend!! I'm not sure when I'm going to fit it in…but I can't wait!! 😉
They came out beautifully! I am terrible when it comes to hard boiling eggs, and eventually purchased an electronic egg cooker. They come out perfect each and every time 🙂