Beet Red Food Dye

From the kitchen of Carly

This deep crimson dye transforms desserts and baked goods with genuine beet flavor, not artificial coloring. Simmer quartered beets until they fade, then reduce the liquid with sugar into an intensely pigmented syrup that's earthy and slightly sweet.

Prep
n/a
Cook
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Total
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Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 13 medium red beets, peeled, quartered
  • 11/2 cup sugar

Instructions

  1. Bring beets and 3 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook until beets have lost their vibrant red color and liquid is reduced by about one-third, 25, 30 minutes.

  2. Remove beets with a slotted spoon. Add sugar to beet liquid and simmer, swirling pan occasionally, until very deep red and reduced to about 1 cup, 10, 15 minutes. Let dye cool before using.