Recipe: Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs
- Author: Dr. Jill
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: hours of fun
- Total Time: hours
Ingredients
Color Preparations
- blue: blueberry juice from frozen blueberries that have been thawed
- maroon: beet juice from steamed beets
- grey/blue: grape juice
- yellow: turmeric
- red: paprika
- brown: clove
- green: boiled spinach (this did not work very well)
- Cover workstation with the tablecloth
- For each color, put the material into a mug or bowl
- Mash up the materials with a fork (or boil if appropriate)
- Adults should pour hot water into the mugs or bowls
- Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to each mug (try to get organic vinegar as it is made from corn)
- If the bowl is larger use more vinegar (I think the vinegar is what creates the mottled effect)
- The children can lower the egg into the mug using a spoon
- Let soak. I soaked mine overnight as the natural dyes need a long time to adhere to the egg
- If you plan to eat the eggs, soak them overnight in the refrigerator
- Try using rubber-bands, and/or wax crayons to create patterns if so desired
- After you decide the color is right, let them dry in the egg cartoon
- They will be dull – remember, natural dyes will not be as vibrant as artificial dyes
- When dried (the next day), you may wipe them gently with mineral oil or cooking oil to give them a beautiful sheen