If you’ve got a Bluey fan at home, you already know — it’s not a Bluey party without the blue icing. Somehow, that cheerful cartoon shade always steals the show. But when you actually try to match it? It’s harder than it looks. Too dark, too green, too dull — we’ve all been there.
The good news is, you can get it right with stuff you probably already have in your kitchen. You just need to understand how color works with icing, and how to tweak it a bit. Once you do, your Bluey cake will look just like the real thing — bright, fun, and completely adorable.
What Makes This Recipe a Keeper
This is one of those things that sounds complicated but isn’t. You don’t need fancy equipment or a degree in cake decorating. You just need a bit of patience and the right kind of food coloring.
Why people love this:
- Kids recognize the color instantly — it feels like the cartoon came to life.
- It works for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, whatever.
- You can make it light or dark, depending on which Bluey character or design you’re going for.
It’s also super forgiving. If the shade turns out a little off, you can fix it easily (and I’ll tell you how later).
Here’s Everything You’ll Need
You’ve got options for the icing. Some people swear by buttercream because it’s soft and tasty. Others like royal icing because it holds its shape. And fondant works too if you want a smooth, professional finish.
For Buttercream
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- Sky blue gel food coloring
- Optional: a touch of royal blue for darker accents
For Royal Icing
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 pasteurized egg whites
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or water
- Blue gel food coloring
For Fondant (if you want sculpted parts)
- White fondant
- Blue gel coloring to knead in
You’ll also want a mixer, some bowls, a spatula, and a toothpick to control how much color you add.
Step-by-Step: How It All Comes Together
1. Pick Your Icing Type
Buttercream is great for covering cakes and piping borders. Royal icing is better for details like eyes, ears, or little Bluey patterns. Fondant gives that clean, “store-bought” look. Choose whatever feels easiest for you.
2. Make the Base
For Buttercream: Beat the butter until smooth. Add sugar slowly, then mix in vanilla and milk. Whip until it’s fluffy.
For Royal Icing: Mix the sugar and egg whites on low speed until glossy, then add lemon juice to thin it out a bit.
3. Neutralize the Yellow
Here’s a trick no one tells you: yellow butter can mess up your blue. It makes it look teal or greenish. To fix that, add the tiniest dab — like half a toothpick — of purple food coloring. It cancels the yellow and gives you a clean base to start with.
4. Add the Blue
Dip a toothpick into sky blue gel and swirl it in. Mix well. Always start light — the color deepens as it sits. If it’s too light, add more little by little.
Want darker accents? Take a small amount of icing out and add a touch of royal blue or violet gel. That’s your detail color for Bluey’s paws or ears.
5. Frost and Decorate
Start with a crumb coat (a thin layer that traps crumbs). Chill it for 10 minutes, then add your final coat. Smooth it out with a spatula.
For details, use a piping bag or even a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. You can also use fondant shapes for eyes or facial features if you want that 3D look.
My Favorite Tips for Foolproof Results
- Gel color is your best friend. Don’t use liquid — it’ll water down your icing and make it weird.
- Don’t rush the color. Let it rest a bit. The blue deepens over time.
- If it’s too thin, add powdered sugar until it thickens back up.
- Avoid overmixing. You’ll end up with air bubbles or streaky icing.
- Test small first. Mix a tiny bowl of icing with color before committing to a full batch.
Sometimes your first try might look more “Bluey after a beach day” than “TV Bluey.” That’s okay. Adjust slowly.
Switch It Up: Easy Variations You’ll Love
You don’t have to stop at one shade. Play around!
- Ombre Cake: Do a light blue at the bottom, darker as you go up. Looks amazing in photos.
- Swirled Frosting: Put two shades of blue in one piping bag for a cool swirl on cupcakes.
- Fondant Ears or Eyes: Cut shapes out of blue and white fondant for that cartoon look.
- Cupcake Minis: Use leftover icing to decorate matching cupcakes — kids love them.
- Sprinkles or Glitter: A little sparkle gives your Bluey cake that playful touch.
Perfect Pairings & Serving Ideas
Pair this icing with a simple vanilla cake. The flavor’s mild, so it won’t compete with the color.
For a party, you can match the whole table:
- Blue drinks (like lemonade tinted with a drop of food color).
- White and blue napkins or plates.
- Cupcakes or cookies with the leftover icing for an easy theme.
It’s fun, it’s easy, and it looks like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.
Leftovers? Here’s How to Store & Reheat Like a Pro
Buttercream
Keep it covered at room temperature for a day. For longer storage, put it in the fridge for up to a week. When you’re ready to use it again, let it sit at room temp and re-whip it until creamy.
Royal Icing
Store airtight for 24 hours on the counter or refrigerate for up to two weeks. Stir it well before using.
Fondant
Wrap it tight in plastic wrap and store in a container. Don’t refrigerate — moisture will ruin it.
If you’ve got leftover blue icing, don’t waste it. Use it for cookies, cupcakes, or even drizzle it over brownies for a fun touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my icing turn green?
That’s the butter. The yellow mixes with blue and gives a green tint. Add a tiny dab of purple to fix it.
Can I use natural food coloring?
Sure, but it won’t be as bright. Natural blues (like spirulina or cabbage-based dyes) are softer and more pastel.
Why does my icing taste bitter?
You probably added too much color. Gel is concentrated — a little goes a long way.
Which icing is easiest for beginners?
Buttercream, hands down. It’s smooth, simple, and you can always adjust it.
How do I make navy accents?
Start with blue icing and add a small bit of black or violet gel. Go slow — it darkens fast.
Final Thoughts
Making Bluey colored icing might look like a small detail, but it totally transforms your cake. Once you get that shade right, everything else falls into place.
Don’t stress if it’s not perfect the first time — icing is forgiving. You can always remix, lighten, or darken it until it feels right. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s fun.
So grab your mixer, a little food coloring, and let those blues blend. Before you know it, you’ll have a cake that makes every kid at the party grin from ear to ear — just like Bluey does.
