Yummy Dessert Recipes Everyone Will Love Without Artificial Dyes

Updated on September 16, 2014
L.H. asks from Livonia, MI
6 answers

We recently have discovered our children ( especially my oldest ) have a sensitivity/allergy to artificial dyes. Although we have never had any of these " fake " dyes in our household we go to many events and family gatherings that do. I am looking for some ideas of desserts that others will like as well that I can take to family functions so my kids don't miss out on the dessert fun. I work near a whole foods so I am hoping someone has tried a cake mix, frosting, or brownie mix that is yummy and of course natural from there to make it a bit easier for me :) Or anyone's children have the same problem and what have you done for outings/parties to be prepared. Thanks!!

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Just bake from scratch, which is quick, easy and cheap. Unless you add food coloring, sprinkles or colored chips/candy to a cookie, it has no dye in it (chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, oatmeal, etc.).

Brownies and blondies are easy to make from scratch and most mixes, even conventional brands such as Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker, don't add dyes to those.

Cake, cheesecake, pie, fruit desserts...the list of desserts without artificial colors is endless if you make them from scratch. Many yellow cake mixes and white frostings do have dyes in them so those are worth making from scratch. Most chocolate cake mix does not have color in it so you are safe to use mixes for those.

I wouldn't stress about this of go out of your way to buy expensive mixes. Just figure out what your kids like and make those without dye. I bake a lot and the only time I use food coloring at all is for adding color to icing. Other than that, it doesn't get used at all.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from St. Louis on

I always bought a mix too for brownies, but I found this one that's really easy and my kids prefer it to the box mix now.
Recipe:
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa (we like the dark chocolate cocoa)
1 c. sugar
2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt ( I usually omit)

Combine all. Add in 1c. choc. chips or chopped candy pieces. Put in 8 in. pan. Bake at 350 for 25 min. Double recipe for a 9X13 pan.

These always come out fudgy and yummy! and really don't take much longer than a mix.

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

How about a nice no bake cheesecake with pureed strawberries for topping.

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Cake and frosting isn't hard to make from scratch, you just have to do a few more steps than a mix.
Flour, sugar, milk, butter, eggs, cocoa, etc. there's no dye in any of it.
Same thing with homemade pies, cookies, muffins, brownies, whatever.
They may not be colorful but they will be sweet and delicious!

V.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

Yep, make brownies from scratch. They are pretty simple. And if you want to dress them up, cut them into tiny bites, partially fill a dessert dish, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream (organic) then some cut up strawberries, and a dollop of whipped cream. Yum!

Or a berry pie. Black and raspberries, blue berries, strawberries, rinsed and (strawberries cut up) mixed with sugar, a bit of cinnamon, and cornstarch... then spooned into a flour crust. Put another crust over the top, or use strips to make it lattice topped. Absolutely wonderful!

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Cobblers/Pies using fresh fruit

homemade Cookies

Fudge Brownies, Blonde Brownies
Homemade tapioca or puddings. Banana pudding

Homemade ice cream with fresh fruit

Homemade Whipped cream with fresh fruit.

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