We’ve got an easy way to ‘marbleize’ your Easter eggs

Looking for a way to make egg decorating eggstra special this Easter? We’ve discovered a technique that’s kid safe, budget friendly and super simple. Most importantly, it’s just plain cool.

Credit goes to the Crafty Morning blog: All it takes is common kitchen supplies, including food coloring and a secret ingredient — vegetable oil — to give your Easter eggs a creative, “marbleized” look. The organic patterns that result are one-of-a-kind, every time. The dyed eggs are safe to eat and cheep to make. Now, gather your Peeps together — sorry, couldn’t resist — and have some fun:

Chic, and easy.

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times )

What you’ll need:

Hard-boiled white eggs (See how on page F3)

Water

Vegetable oil

Food coloring

Multi-purpose latex gloves

Glass or disposable plastic cups

Spoon

Paper towels

Multi-purpose latex gloves

Put six to eight drops of food coloring into each cup of water.

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times )

A way to protect your work surface and clothes from food coloring stains. (Think: Some old aprons, towels sheets or newspapers.)

How To:

Put on gloves to prevent dyeing fingers.

Pour enough water into a glass or plastic cup to cover an egg (1-2 inches).

Next, add 8 to 10 drops of food coloring (use a single color, or get creative and mix them up).

Measure about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into each cup. Using a spoon, give the mixture a swirl or two but don’t over-mix. The results are more dramatic if the oil and water are not completely blended.

Add a tablespoon or so of vegetable oil to the dyed water.

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times )

Gently place a hard-boiled egg into the glass, and use the spoon to roll it a few times in the solution. Let the egg sit in the mixture for about 30 minutes. Longer soaking may result in deeper colors; darker dye baths may require less time for pretty results. Experiment.

Use a spoon to lift the egg out of the glass and wipe it off with a paper towel.

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times )

Finally, use a spoon to lift the egg out of the glass and wipe it off with a paper towel.

You can reuse the solution to dye more eggs, but try to avoid over-stirring.

Store decorated eggs in the refrigerator until ready to eat — or hide.

Easter eggs decorated with a simple but fun marble look.

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times )

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