28 Naturally Red and Pink Desserts
If you hate missing out on the coloured Valentine’s dessert fun because you’re trying to avoid artificial food dyes, you’ve landed in the right place. In this post you’ll find over two dozen naturally red and pink dessert and brunch recipes!

Table of Contents
- Why is artificial food colouring bad for you?
- What can I use to colour food naturally?
- Naturally Red Dessert & Brunch Recipes
- 1. Natural Red Velvet Cake
- 2. Chocolate Cherry Galette
- 3. Cranberry Pear Crumble
- 4. Overnight Strawberry French Toast Bake
- 5. White Chocolate Raspberry Ripple Cake
- 6. Strawberry Slush with Lime
- 7. Brownie Trifle with Whiskey Strawberries
- 8. Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Cake
- 9. All-Natural Sugar Cookies
- 10. Beetroot Brownies
- 11. Chocolate Raspberry Bars
- 12. Healthy Red Velvet Beet Pancakes
- 13. Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Cups
- 14. Easy Beet Bars
- 15. White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse with Raspberry Compote
- Naturally Pink Dessert & Brunch Recipes
- 16. Grapefruit and Thyme Mascarpone Tart
- 17. Cranberry Baked Oats
- 18. Strawberry Daiquiri Cupcakes
- 19. Cherry Almond Smoothie
- 20. Rhubarb and Custard Truffles
- 21. Strawberry Drip Cake
- 22. No Bake Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
- 23. Rhubarb & Ginger Crumble
- 24. Strawberry White Chocolate Bark
- 25. Chocolate Raspberry Baked Oatmeal
- 26. Strawberry Glazed Chocolate Vegan Doughnuts
- 27. Beet Nut Butter Cups
- 28. White Chocolate Cranberry Muffins
Why is artificial food colouring bad for you?
Although there is definitely more research required on the subject, some studies have shown that artificial food dyes can pose certain health risks, particularly in children.
Yellow 5 (tartrazine) has been linked to behavioural changes in young kids, such as irritability, depression, and restlessness as well as allergies such as hives in adults (source). Studies have also concluded that commercial food dyes can increase childrens’ hyperactivity.
Furthermore, some food dyes – specifically Blue 2 (indigo carmine) and Red 3 (erythrosine) – have been under investigation surrounding concerns about their effect on brain and thyroid tumors. Most of the claims about food dyes causing cancer are inconclusive, however.
But since there are no nutritional benefits to artificial food dyes, why bother running the risk, right?
What can I use to colour food naturally?
Thankfully, nature has already given us an abundance of colour to work with! Every red and pink dessert in this recipe roundup has been coloured using natural means or features a red or pink ingredient.
From fresh and freeze-dried fruit to veggies and vegetable powders, there are so many deliciously natural and nutritious ways to treat your loved ones to a colourful dessert or brunch!
Naturally Red Dessert & Brunch Recipes
Celebrate red fruit and vegetables with all of these delicious naturally red dessert and brunch recipes! From raspberries to cherries to beetroot and cranberries, there’s sure to be something here to tickle your tastebuds.

1. Natural Red Velvet Cake
This Natural Red Velvet Cake for two pairs pint-sized, beetroot powder dyed cake layers with a light and airy whipped cream cheese frosting.

2. Chocolate Cherry Galette
This refined sugar free Chocolate Cherry Galette features juicy cherries, lip-smacking dark chocolate, and a subtle whiff of orange wrapped up in a crisp whole wheat pastry. This rustic galette recipe is perfect for beginner pie bakers!

3. Cranberry Pear Crumble
This naturally sweetened Cranberry Pear Crumble is packed with seasonal fruit and topped with the crispiest, cinnamon-scented oaty topping! Made in individual ramekins, it’s a great recipe for a couple to enjoy but can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd. Easy to prep in 15 minutes from 8 simple ingredients!

4. Overnight Strawberry French Toast Bake
This refined sugar free Overnight Strawberry French Toast Bake is the perfect brunch for two! This decadent spring breakfast recipe makes two generous portions of strawberry studded French toast laced with sweet vanilla bean paste. Top with basil infused whipped cream and extra strawberries for a truly decadent morning.

5. White Chocolate Raspberry Ripple Cake
Modern and elegant, this White Chocolate Raspberry Ripple Cake features a velvety white chocolate buttercream, two layers of light vanilla sponge, sharp fresh raspberries, and a swirl of homemade raspberry puree. It’s a perfect naturally red and pink dessert!

6. Strawberry Slush with Lime
A pretty, sparkling Strawberry Slush as a healthier alternative to pop in the spring, with a strawberry lime slush base topped with sparkling water. With a little honey and mint, it’s a great drink for warm days and kids love it, too.

7. Brownie Trifle with Whiskey Strawberries
Fudgy brownie pieces, Bailey’s spiked cream, and whiskey drenched strawberries come together to make this Brownie Trifle with Whiskey Strawberries. These brownie trifles are chocolatey, boozy, utterly moreish, and come together in under an hour.

8. Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Cake
This Strawberry Shortcake Cake is vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free yet it’s every bit as delicious as the original! A loaf pan two-tier light and fluffy vanilla cake is layered with naturally sweetened strawberries and an easy homemade coconut whipped cream.

9. All-Natural Sugar Cookies
These soft Sugar Cookies are naturally sweetened and feature a subtle hint of vanilla. Paired with the best tasting, naturally dyed sugar cookie icing, these cookies are easy to make and a blast to decorate with the whole family!

10. Beetroot Brownies
Fudgy and decadent vegan Beetroot Brownies with a smooth avocado chocolate mousse frosting. Approved by vegans and non-vegans alike!

11. Chocolate Raspberry Bars
Rich and indulgent, these naturally sweetened Chocolate Raspberry Bars feature a chewy, crumbly shortbread base, a bright and tangy homemade raspberry jelly, and luscious dark chocolate.

12. Healthy Red Velvet Beet Pancakes
Delicious, fluffy Red Velvet Beet Pancakes that are completely gluten-free, vegan, and packed with amazing nutrients! Made with no artificial colour, just beets, these Red Velvet Pancakes are a tasty breakfast treat for kids and adults alike!

13. Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Cups
This easy Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Cups recipe combines a chewy refined sugar free cookie, fresh strawberries, and homemade whipped cream into one heavenly bite.

14. Easy Beet Bars
Moist, light, and studded with white chocolate chips, these decadent Beet Bars are gluten free and can be enjoyed as a breakfast treat or a snack or a dessert.

15. White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse with Raspberry Compote
This no-bake, creamy, decadent White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse recipe is ribboned with raspberry-rosemary compote. It’s gluten-free, silky and sweet, tart and delicately hinted with rosemary essence.
Naturally Pink Dessert & Brunch Recipes
These naturally pink dessert and brunch recipes feature nature’s bountiful pink fruit and veg. Will you go for strawberry, grapefruit, or rhubarb? The sky is the limit with these naturally dyed treats!

16. Grapefruit and Thyme Mascarpone Tart
A beautiful, naturally sweetened Grapefruit and Thyme Mascarpone Tart made with a gluten-free almond crust, a sweet mascarpone cheese filling, and topped with tart pink grapefruit.

17. Cranberry Baked Oats
This small-batch Cranberry Baked Oats recipe is packed with the flavours of orange, almond, and cranberry and is incredibly satisfying. You’re going to love the textures in this healthy breakfast – from the crunchy nuts to the creamy nut butter and the sour burst of the fruit.

18. Strawberry Daiquiri Cupcakes
These Strawberry Daiquiri Cupcakes are infused with dark rum, a slap of zingy lime curd at the centre and topped off with sweet freeze-dried strawberry buttercream. Top them off with a fresh strawberry to make them a super pretty naturally red and pink dessert!

19. Cherry Almond Smoothie
This Cherry Almond Smoothie tastes just like a cherry bakewell tart! Packed with protein, fibre, healthy fats, and vegetables, this sugar free protein smoothie is the perfect healthy breakfast or post-work out snack.

20. Rhubarb and Custard Truffles
These easy 15-minute Rhubarb and Custard Truffles are a delicious way to get your fruit and veggies in all while eating a naturally pink dessert!

21. Strawberry Drip Cake
A light four-layer vanilla sponge cake with freeze-dried strawberry buttercream and a dark chocolate ganache drip. This beautiful Strawberry Drip Cake is perfect for any occasion.

22. No Bake Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
These no bake Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, super creamy, and completely vegan.

23. Rhubarb & Ginger Crumble
This Rhubarb and Ginger Crumble recipe makes just two refined sugar free desserts – perfect for a date night in! The rhubarb filling is tangy and naturally sweet with a hint of heat thanks to the fresh grated ginger. Topped with a toasty gluten-free almond crumble, these individual rhubarb crumbles are packed with flavour and texture.

24. Strawberry White Chocolate Bark
This Strawberry White Chocolate Bark is a delicious naturally red and pink dessert that is quick and easily made. As well, you don’t need to be a skilled cook to make this spectacular confectionery; if you can melt chocolate you can make this beautiful chocolate bark.

25. Chocolate Raspberry Baked Oatmeal
This decadent, sweet and tangy Chocolate Raspberry Baked Oatmeal is a great way to treat a crowd for weekend brunch.

26. Strawberry Glazed Chocolate Vegan Doughnuts
These easy gluten free, vegan Chocolate Doughnuts are soft and chocolatey and dipped in a sweet pink glaze made with fresh strawberries.

27. Beet Nut Butter Cups
These gluten free, vegan Beet Nut Butter Cups are easy to make and so vibrant. The colour comes from mixing beetroot into the homemade nut butter. It’s then slathered in dark chocolate.

28. White Chocolate Cranberry Muffins
Perfectly fluffy and moist, these White Chocolate Cranberry Muffins are lightly scented with orange zest and packed full of plump dried cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips. You’ll love this easy, small-batch recipe!