When I was a kid my favorite part of Easter was dying eggs. I was not an especially artistic child yet there was something about turning a white egg into a colored egg that made me feel like a budding Monet. But even back then I always felt the colored eggs from the store-bought coloring kit lacked pizzazz. I’d leave them in the liquid for a really long time or try to make them two-toned but eventually I’d give up, slap some stickers on them and call it good. It wasn’t until I got backyard chickens that that I learned an amazing trick to get jewel-toned Easter eggs.
I had always just dyed white eggs that I bought at the store but all of our chickens that first year were breeds that laid brown eggs. We had completely sworn off industrial eggs, so when Easter rolled around I had to use the eggs from our birds. Much to my surprise and delight, the trick to getting richer, more vibrant colored Easter eggs was simple: use brown eggs. Who knew?
If you’re fortunate enough to have backyard chickens like I do then you’ll have plenty of brown shades to choose from and maybe even some green or blue ones. If not, you can buy brown eggs at any grocery store, but you’ll probably have to look for the cage-free variety.
The other secret to getting saturated color on your eggs is to forgo the store-bought dying kits. They’re weak, I tell you, weak! But seriously, you’ll get better results with plain old food coloring. Fill up a plastic cup with enough water to completely cover 2 (hard boiled) eggs (about 1 1/2 cups) then add 30+ drops of food coloring. I put 2 eggs in each cup and had six cups total for one dozen eggs. Leave the eggs in the cups for at least 20 minutes or even longer if you want more color. I wanted eye-popping color so I left some of the eggs in for an hour! Just set it and forget it. I also moved some of the eggs into a different colored cup after a while so every one was a unique shade. Just have fun and experiment. They’ll turn out gorgeous either way and you’ll be the talk of the Easter Egg Hunt.
What’s your favorite part of Easter?
Robin Hughes says
LOVE THEM!!!! I will give them a try!!!!
fabulous Farm Girl says
Oh I’m so glad Robin! I thought of you when I was posting this and how much fun your grandkids would have dying the brown eggs from your chickens.Have fun.
–Leah
Ashley says
I love this Leah!! Was just trying to decide whether to buy yucky white eggs so we could dye them. I never thought to dye our own chickens eggs. Can’t wait to try it!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
I’m totally with you on that one, Ashley! Every step closer to self-sufficiency, especially on holidays, is a victory. Now if I could just learn how to make homemade jellybeans…LOL.
–Leah
Lucky says
Never thought of using brown eggs to get a richer color… Genius!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Thanks Lucky! I wouldn’t have thought of it either but it’s all we had so it was serendipidy! Have a great week!
–Leah
Rena Bucad says
Will you just be my Easter bunny ??
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Sure, but don’t be upset if I bring carrots instead of candy:)
–Leah
April says
We always used a few tablespoons of vinegar in our dye water with the food coloring… seems to make the color more vibrant as well.
fabulous farm Girl says
What a great idea April! I will definitely try adding vinegar next time I dye eggs. Thanks for stopping by,
–Leah
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
I love the vibrant jewel tones you achieved! I’m going to try this!
Leah says
That’s awesome Ingrid! They really are fun and different but still easy. Love your blog name, BTW. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
–Leah
nicole says
gonna have to try these this year! This year my fav part is my daughter making her first communion!
Linking in from SITS!
Leah says
Thanks for stopping by Nicole and congratulations on your daughter’s first communion. It’s such a special time for you and your daughter. Enjoy coloring the eggs and have a great day!
–Leah
Leslie says
I love these! I don’t know if i’ll get a chance to dye Easter eggs this year. I usually do it with my small cousins but they are celebrating Easter with Mickey & Minnie in Florida. Happy Saturday!
Leah says
No worries Leslie! Pin it and use it for next year. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
–Leah
Ashley says
Hi there! Stopping by from the SITS Girls’ Saturday Sharefest. Beautiful eggs! I love all the colors!
Sharon Seiber says
Beautiful! I would have never thought of using brown eggs. They look like jewels alright. Thank you for the tip!