A palette of six popular buttercream colours: White, Sage Green, Burgundy, Black, Teal, and Red, displayed as smooth circles on a beige background with clear labels.

How to Mix Popular Buttercream Colours – Including White, Sage Green and More

By Makai Cake Decorating Supplies

 

 

Getting the perfect colour for your buttercream can feel like a science. Some shades are harder to mix than others—especially when you're aiming for crisp whites, deep blacks, or muted tones like sage green.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to mix the most commonly requested buttercream colours, including professional tips to make them last and look amazing.

 

 



 1. White 

 

Why it's tricky

Butter and vanilla extract often give buttercream a yellow tint.

How to mix it:

  • Use light-coloured butter and beat it well to make it paler.

  • Add a few drops of bright white gel colouring.

  • Tiny touches of purple gel can cancel out the yellow tones (colour theory!).

 

 

Elegant single-tier white buttercream cake decorated with floral piping and a central buttercream rose – perfect for weddings or christenings.




 2. Black 

 

Why it's tricky

Black can end up grey or require so much colouring it affects taste.

How to mix it:

  • Start with chocolate buttercream to create a dark base.

  • Add black gel colour in stages.

  • Let it rest overnight to deepen the shade without using too much colour.

 

 

Elegant black buttercream cake decorated with red and pink flowers and gold accents – a bold, glamorous choice for special occasions.

 

 



 3. Red 

 

Why it's tricky

Often turns pink, especially in white buttercream.

How to mix it:

  • Use high-quality red gel.

  • Colour ahead of time and let the buttercream rest to deepen.


 

Romantic red buttercream cake decorated with fondant hearts and gold accents – perfect for Valentine’s Day or romantic celebrations.

 

 



 4. Burgundy 

 

Why it's tricky

A deep wine colour needs more than just red.

How to mix it:

  • Try mixing 3 parts pink, 2 parts red, and 2 parts black.

  • Let it rest to settle into the final shade.

 

 

Elegant burgundy buttercream cake with piped rosettes and fondant flowers – ideal for weddings, autumn events or romantic celebrations.

 

 



 5. Teal 

 

Why it's tricky

Getting that perfect balance of blue-green can be finicky.

How to mix it:

  • Mix 1 part lemon yellow + 1 part sky blue.

  • Adjust with more blue or green as needed.

 

 

Teal buttercream cake with piped swirls and fondant flowers – vibrant and elegant for birthdays, baby showers or summer parties.

 

 



 6. Lavender 

 

Why it's tricky

Purple can turn grey or blue easily.

How to mix it:

  • Mix equal parts pink and violet/purple gel colour.

  • Add white to lighten if needed.

 

 

Lavender buttercream cake with piped florals and fondant lavender decorations – a soft and elegant design perfect for spring or garden-themed occasions.

 

 



 7. Rose Gold 

 

Why it's tricky

Requires warm, rich undertones.

How to mix it:

  • Try 2 parts red, 0.5 part Kelly green, and 0.5 part pink.

  • For shimmer, paint over the frosting with edible rose gold dust + alcohol.

 

 

Rose gold buttercream cake with piped swirls, sugar roses, pastel pearls, and gold leaf – elegant and trendy for birthdays or stylish celebrations.





 8. Grey 

 

Why it's tricky

Easy to overdo the black and end up with near-black.

How to mix it:

  • Start with white buttercream, then add black gel in tiny amounts.

 

 

Elegant grey buttercream cake with piped floral scrolls and rosettes – perfect for modern weddings or sophisticated events.

 

 



 9. Sage Green 

 

Why it's tricky

Pure green is too bright—it needs muting with earthy tones.

How to mix it:

  • Start with a light green base.

  • Add a small amount of yellow or blue to adjust the tone.

  • Then tone it down with a touch of brown or black to create the muted, greyish effect.

  • Let the buttercream rest for 30+ minutes to allow the colour to settle.

 

 

 Tip: Always test a small batch first. Gel colours are ideal as they’re highly pigmented and don’t thin the buttercream.

 

 

Sage green buttercream cake with white piped flowers and foliage – soft, natural style perfect for weddings, christenings, or elegant events





 10. Pro Tips for Mixing Colours 

 

  • Use gel colours – they’re concentrated and won’t alter buttercream texture.

  • Always mix more than you need – it’s hard to match a custom colour twice.

  • Let it rest – time allows colours to develop and deepen.

  • Avoid overmixing – it can make buttercream too soft or create air bubbles.

 

 

Want even more decorating tips?
Check out:

Top 10 Cake Decorating Mistakes to Avoid →

 

 


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