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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    30+ Colorful Desserts without Food Dye

    July 5, 2023 by Amee Leave a Comment

    Colorful desserts are the perfect addition to any occasion! To help you plan your colorful treats, here are 30+ Colorful Desserts, all made without food dye!

    Collage of Colorful Desserts.

    This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ll never link to anything I don’t use and love! Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

    Whether it's a holiday, birthday, or just a day that needs a little more color, these 30+ Colorful Desserts are just what you need! The bonus: not a single one of these colorful recipes uses food color!

    If you enjoy this post, check out my posts with 40+ Unique Desserts, 40+ Fancy Desserts, and 30+ Birthday Brunch Ideas!

    Jump to:
    • What are Food Dyes?
    • Why Avoid Food Dyes?
    • Colorful Dessert Recipes
    • Other Posts You May Like
    • 💬 Comments
    Closeup view of a rainbow fruit tart.

    What are Food Dyes?

    Food dyes are substances added to foods to enhance their appearance by giving them vibrant color. Food colorings have been added to food for centuries. Today, food dyes are largely petroleum-based.

    The consumption of artificial food dye has increased by 500% in the past 50 years, with children as the biggest consumers of these dyes.

    Why Avoid Food Dyes?

    The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that food dyes do not pose significant health risks, but this conclusion is highly controversial. Some food dyes are deemed safe in the US, but banned in other countries, making it extremely confusing for people to determine if they're safe.

    I pull out the colorful sprinkles and food dyes occasionally on holidays and birthdays, but on the whole I avoid them. Small amounts are unlikely to impact your health, but studies show that avoiding them is wise.

    Some food dyes have been found to:

    • Cause cancer in animals and/or contain known carcinogens.
    • Cause hyperactivity reactions in sensitive children.
    • Cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.

    For me, the bottom line is that food dyes don't improve the safety or nutritional quality of food, and I can easily avoid them with all these wonderful recipes using beautiful colors from fruit!

    Colorful Dessert Recipes

    So here they are--all my most colorful dessert recipes! With the rainbow of colors you see here, you won't miss food dyes in the least!

    Cakes and Cupcakes

    Strawberry Filled Cupcakes with fresh strawberries on top.
    Blueberry Angel Food Cake
    This Blueberry Angel Food Cake is light and fluffy with serious blueberry flavor thanks to freeze-dried berries! And can we talk about that color??
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Blueberry Angel Food Cake with whipped cream and blueberries on a plate with a fork alongside.
    Lavender Pound Cake with Strawberry Glaze
    This Strawberry Lavender Pound Cake is so tender thanks to kefir (or buttermilk!), delicately flavored with lavender, and topped with strawberry-vanilla bean glaze! Pound cake perfection!
    Check out this recipe!
    Sliced Lavender Pound Cake with Strawberry Glaze on a white plate.
    Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
    These Strawberry Filled Cupcakes are soft & fluffy vanilla bean cakes with homemade honey-strawberry filling, topped with strawberry cream cheese frosting!
    Check out this recipe!
    Strawberry Filled Cupcakes with fresh strawberries on top.
    Raspberry White Chocolate Loaf Cake
    This Raspberry White Chocolate Loaf Cake is a tender white chocolate pound cake topped with a scrumptious raspberry glaze! The flavors are so amazing you'll find yourself taking seconds!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Raspberry and White Chocolate Loaf Cake on a tray.
    Neapolitan Cake
    The classic flavors of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate combine in this Neapolitan Cake! This three-layer beauty is a celebration cake!
    Check out this recipe!
    Neapolitan Cake with graham bunnies on a white cake stand.
    Cornmeal Pound Cake with Blueberry Whipped Cream
    This Blueberry Cornmeal Pound Cake is a slightly sweet cornmeal buttermilk pound cake topped with blueberry crème fraîche whipped cream!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of sliced Cornmeal Poun
    Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake
    This Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake is two layers of tender yellow cake with strawberry whipped cream and fresh strawberries! This cake turns a comfort food favorite into a total showstopper!
    Check out this recipe!
    Close up of Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake on a white plate.
    Blueberry Chocolate Cake
    This Blueberry Chocolate Cake is a decadent dark chocolate cake topped with blueberry buttercream! This one-layer cake is simple, delicious, and you can't beat the color of that blueberry frosting!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Blueberry Chocolate Cake on a black plate with fresh blueberries and a chamomile flower on top.
    Orange Upside Down Cake
    A just-sweet-enough orange olive oil cake topped with candied navel, cara cara, and blood oranges! Served with a sweetened sour cream, you can definitely sneak this one in as breakfast!
    Check out this recipe!

    Cookies and Bars

    Stack of Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze.
    Strawberry Thyme Blondies
    These Strawberry Thyme Blondies are a dream combination oftextures and flavors! The browned-butter blondies are topped with astrawberry-thyme mascarpone mousse that is *almost* too pretty to eat!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of sliced Strawberry Thyme Blondies with cut strawberries and sprigs of thyme on top.
    Sage Cookies with Cranberry Buttercream
    These Sage Cookies with Cranberry Buttercream are an unexpected treat! The sage sugar cookies are sandwiched with cranberry buttercream, for an outstanding combination of flavors and textures!
    Check out this recipe!
    Stack of three Cranberry Sage Cookies on parchment paper with a candied sage leaf on top.
    Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze
    These Orange Shortbread Cookies are the most flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread you've ever tasted! Flavored with orange zest and orange oil, with a beautiful glaze made from fresh cranberries, you'll want make these beauties for the holidays and all winter long!
    Check out this recipe!
    Stack of Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze.
    Lemon Curd Cookies
    These Lemon Curd Cookies are soft, chewy lemon cookies topped with homemade lemon curd! The mix of textures and the sweet-tart lemon flavor will make these a new favorite!
    Check out this recipe!
    Lemon Curd Cookies on a silver cooling rack with a jar of lemon curd in the background.
    Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
    These Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies are cream cheese sugar cookies sandwiched with swirls of strawberry cream cheese frosting!
    Check out this recipe!
    Strawberry Cream Cheese Cookies on white plate.
    Raspberry Cookies
    These Raspberry Cookies are soft, chewy sugar cookies bursting with raspberry flavor! The gorgeous pink color and wonderful flavor are from freeze-dried raspberries--not a drop of food color here!
    Check out this recipe!
    Raspberry Cookies stacked on a white plate with fresh raspberries, one cookie with a bite missing.
    Sweet Potato Cookies
    These Sweet Potato Cookies are soft, cakey, and deliciously spiced! In a nod to sweet potato casserole, they're topped with homemade marshmallow for an irresistibly sweet finish. These cookies would make a perfect (and unique!) addition to your Thanksgiving gatherings!
    Check out this recipe!
    Sweet Potato Cookie topped with marshmallow frosting on a scalloped white plate.
    Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
    These Strawberry Shortbread Cookies have fantastic strawberry flavor thanks to freeze-dried strawberries in both the cookies and the strawberry glaze! With these cookies you can have a taste of summer year-round! Recipe can be used to make slice-and-bake shortbread or cut-outs--it's up to you!
    Check out this recipe!
    Strawberry Shortbread Cookies with Strawberry Glaze on a cooling rack, one with a bite missing.

    Pies and Tarts

    Slice of Blueberry Curd Tart on a white plate.
    Mango Tart
    This summery Mango Tart has a chocolate pastry crust that's brushed with melted chocolate before being filled with mango curd and topped with fresh whipped cream and cocoa nibs! Oh, and the prettiest chocolate leaves ever!
    Check out this recipe!
    Champagne Citrus Tart
    This Champagne Citrus Tart has an orange-scented sweet pastry crust filled with champagne pastry cream and topped with champagne-glazed citrus! A mimosa in dessert form!
    Check out this recipe!
    Champagne Citrus Tart on a white stand with flutes of champagne nearby.
    Blackberry Lavender Brownie Pie
    The crust of this beauty is a fudgy brownie swirled with blackberry jam. The filling is a lavender-infused dark chocolate icebox pie, all topped with blackberry meringue. The flavors and textures are outstanding!
    Check out this recipe!
    Lilac Strawberry Galette
    This Lilac Strawberry Galette is sweet pastry filled with juicy fresh strawberries and lilac sugar! Baked to perfection, you'll love the sweet floral flavor of this beauty! No lilac sugar? Use lavender sugar, vanilla sugar, or regular granulated sugar instead!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of Lilac Strawberry Galette with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and lilac blossoms on top.
    Apricot Tart
    This Apricot Tart is a sweet pastry crust filled with apricot preserves and a no-bake cheesecake filling, topped with fresh apricots! Cool, creamy, and delicious, it's a fantastic Summer treat!
    Check out this recipe!
    Apricot Tart on a white plate with a slice missing.
    Chocolate Cherry Pie
    This Chocolate Cherry Pie has juicy, fresh cherries and chopped dark chocolate in a crisp, flaky chocolate pie crust! I think the two-tone lattice gives it a little pizazz, too! 🙂
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Chocolate Cherry Pie on a white plate with a bowl of cherries in the background.
    Strawberry Pastry Cream
    This Strawberry Pastry Cream is a delicious twist on a classic! The rich flavor, creamy texture, and beautiful color will make you swoon!
    Check out this recipe!
    White Bowl of Strawberry Pastry Cream with fresh strawberries.
    Rosemary Almond Apple Galette
    This Rosemary Almond Apple Galette is a rustic beauty! Its sweet pastry is filled with homemade almond paste, apples, and rosemary sugar!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of Rosemary Almond Apple Galette with two scoops of ice cream and chopped almonds on top.
    Blueberry Curd Tart
    This Blueberry Curd Tart is a sweet pastry crust filled with homemade blueberry curd! You'll fall in love with both the flavor and that gorgeous color!!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Blueberry Curd Tart on a white plate.
    Blackberry Cream Pie
    A classic graham cracker crust filled with light-as-air blackberry cream, topped with fresh vanilla bean whipped cream and blackberries!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Blackberry Cream Pie on a white plate with fresh blackberries on top.

    More Colorful Recipes

    Blackberry Lemon Bread on a white tray.
    Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
    This No Bake Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake is layers of strawberry and vanilla bean cheesecake in a graham cracker crust, topped with strawberry crunch topping! Completely no bake and delicious, you'll want this beauty on repeat in your kitchen!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake on white plate.
    Blackberry Lemon Bread
    This Blackberry Lemon Bread is a moist, flavorful lemon bread studded with fresh blackberries and topped with the most gorgeous blackberry glaze!
    Check out this recipe!
    Blackberry Lemon Bread on a white tray.
    Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake
    This Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake is a dream of textures and flavors! The lemon cheesecake is swirled with a homemade raspberry sauce, all in a classic graham cracker crust!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Raspberry Lemonade Cheesecake.
    Blueberry Sugar
    This Homemade Blueberry Sugar combines sweet blueberries with granulated sugar for a taste of summer no matter the season! Add it to baked goods, flavor butter, use it to rim cocktail glasses, and more!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of jar of Blueberry Sugar.
    Almond Rolls with Cherry Glaze
    Filled with homemade almond filling and topped with a gorgeous cherry glaze, you need these Almond Rolls with Cherry Glaze at your next brunch! Or...anytime, really. 😀
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Almond Roll with Cherry Glaze on a white plate with a bite missing.
    Strawberry Powdered Sugar Donuts
    These Strawberry Powdered Sugar Donuts are tender vanilla bean cake doughnuts, baked until golden, then coated with strawberry powdered sugar! You'll love the pretty pink color and hint of strawberry in every bite!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of Strawberry Powdered Sugar Donuts on parchment paper with fresh strawberries.
    Lemon Curd Cheesecake with Lemon Cookie Crust
    This Lemon Curd Cheesecake is a lemon lover's dream! This beauty has a lemon sugar cookie crust topped with no-bake lemon cheesecake, homemade lemon curd, and whipped cream!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Lemon Curd Cheesecake on a fluted plate with yellow flowers and lemons in the background.
    Blueberry Sugar Donuts
    These Blueberry Sugar Donuts are a unique twist on a classic treat! The soft, baked vanilla bean donuts are coated in sweet blueberry sugar for a donut that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime!
    Check out this recipe!
    Blueberry Sugar Donuts, one with a bite missing, on parchment paper with purple flowers and fresh blueberries in the foreground.
    Strawberry Sugar
    This Homemade Strawberry Sugar combines sweet strawberries with granulated sugar for the ultimate flavor enhancer! Add it to baked goods, flavor butter, use it to rim cocktail glasses, and more!
    Check out this recipe!
    Glass jar of Strawberry Sugar with cork in top and gift tag on front.
    Blueberry Frosting
    This Blueberry Frosting is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more! The bright blueberry flavor and color (without a drop of food dye) are irresistible!
    Check out this recipe!
    Blueberry Buttercream in a white cup with fresh blueberries on top.
    Raspberry Sugar
    This Homemade Raspberry Sugar combines sweet raspberries with granulated sugar for a taste of summer no matter the season! Use it in bakes, to rim cocktail glasses, and more!
    Check out this recipe!
    A small glass tube jar of Raspberry Sugar with some pink sugar spilling out surrounded by freeze-dries raspberries.
    Cherry Glaze
    This Cherry Glaze is a simple and delicious treat! Bursting with cherry flavor, and without a drop of food color, you'll find yourself adding it to cakes, cookies, scones, and more!
    Check out this recipe!
    Cherry Glaze being drizzled into a white bowl surrounded with fresh cherries and white hydrangea blossoms.

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    Updated 3/22/2025

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