We’re All Obsessed with Pink Right Now: How to Cook (and Decorate) With It

The color pink is the latest trend taking over our tables and kitchens.

By: Emily Lee

Look around — pink is everywhere right now, and once you notice it, you won’t be able to stop. A quick stroll down a busy street can quickly turn into a parade of pink, from delicate pastel shades to more arresting tones of bubblegum. New York Magazine’s fascinating dive into the color proves it’s true: Pink is in our clothes, our restaurants, our homes, our pop culture and more. But it’s not just any old pink; it’s millennial pink, a light, soft shade that comprises variations like salmon, cotton candy, flamingo and Champagne. It’s so prevalent today that it’s named for the generation that’s obsessed with Instagramming it.

With countless storefront displays, websites and products awash in the playful hue, no industry or brand is immune to the craze. Of course, we wanted to get in on the fun, too! Here’s how we imagine millennial pink can take over your kitchens — in both recipes from Food Network and decor ideas from our friends at HGTV.

Giada De Laurentiis’s miniature cupcakes are topped with a dollop of soft pink glaze that’s so fitting for their small stature.

Ina Garten recommends using 14 drops of pink food coloring — no more, no less — to achieve the perfect shade of rose petal when preparing her indulgent pink buttercream.

FNK NOCHURN STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM, Food Network Kitchen, Food Network, Frozen Strawberries, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Vanilla Extract, Heavy Cream, YogurtCovered Pretzels, Jelly Donuts, Balsamic Vinegar

FNK NOCHURN STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM, Food Network Kitchen, Food Network, Frozen Strawberries, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Vanilla Extract, Heavy Cream, YogurtCovered Pretzels, Jelly Donuts, Balsamic Vinegar

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2015

Matt Armendariz, 2015

Blend frozen strawberries into heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk to reproduce this pretty rose-colored desesert at home — all without an ice cream maker. Food Network Kitchen recommends mixing in pretzels, jelly doughnut pieces or balsamic vinegar.

Raspberry_Lemonade

Ree Drummond stirs some frozen raspberries into her lemonade pitcher, and then lets it sit until the batch takes on a refreshing blush tone.

Breakfast Nook With Coral, Orange Pink Color Palette

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Refresh your dining area for spring with an area rug, patterned floor-to-ceiling curtains and chair slipcovers in shades of coal, peach and bubblegum.

Photo by Flynnside Out Productions; design by Bryan Patrick Flynn [via HGTV.com]

Food Network Kitchen’s Spring Ad Hoc, Spring Pastel Eclairs, as seen on Food Network.

Food Network Kitchen’s Spring Ad Hoc, Spring Pastel Eclairs, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Kate Mathis ©© 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Kate Mathis, © 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Dress up these dainty pastries with bright, colorful glazes that are tinted naturally with fruit juices.

Food Network Kitchen’s Spring Strawberry Lemonade Lemon Bars , as seen on Food Network.

Food Network Kitchen’s Spring Strawberry Lemonade Lemon Bars , as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Kate Mathis ©© 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Kate Mathis, © 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

In these pretty pink bars, the tartness of lemon is accentuated by freeze-dried strawberries, adding a dose of springtime flavor and a rosy hue.

Food Network Kitchen’s 4Ingredient Peanut ButterStrawberry Ice Cream Pie as seen on Food Network.

Food Network Kitchen’s 4Ingredient Peanut ButterStrawberry Ice Cream Pie as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©Copyright 2015

Matt Armendariz, Copyright 2015

When sliced in half, the strawberries on top of this comforting ice cream pie mimic rose petals, which look beautiful on a backdrop of pale pink ice cream.

Salmon-colored walls give this adorable country kitchen extra warmth.

Photo by Eric Roth [via HGTV.com]

My goal with this space was to brighten it up, make the colors pop and show off the charming bench seating. I started by lightening up the area, painting all the surrounding walls Benjamin Moore, Swiss Coffee. With the walls and all the trim painted white the gray accent color of the bench was highlighted.

Fresh Coastal Kitchen Nook

My goal with this space was to brighten it up, make the colors pop and show off the charming bench seating. I started by lightening up the area, painting all the surrounding walls Benjamin Moore, Swiss Coffee. With the walls and all the trim painted white the gray accent color of the bench was highlighted.

Photo by: Becki Owens

Becki Owens

No need to redo the whole kitchen! Pink flowers, valances and throw pillows can also be used to give your dining space a spring refresh on a budget.

Photo and design by Becki Owens [via HGTV.com]

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Add a touch of pink to the first pool party of the season with Tyler Florence’s strawberry ice pops spiked with tequila and triple sec.

Food Network Kitchen’s Rose, Rose and Raspberry Sangria.

Food Network Kitchen’s Rose, Rose and Raspberry Sangria.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©Copyright 2015

Matt Armendariz, Copyright 2015

Raspberries and grapefuit soda combine to create the most-delicate shade of pink we’ve ever seen in Food Network Kitchen’s floral, rose wine sangria.

After 06 of Yu and Buny's kitchen, detail of the new carrera tiles backsplash. Casey gave a new life to the outdated kitchen with a fresh Heirloom Glam design style, making it more functional and better suited to entertain friends. New carrera tiles backsplash, chandelier, seating area and more counter space make a dramatic new space.

After 06 of Yu and Buny's kitchen, detail of the new carrera tiles backsplash. Casey gave a new life to the outdated kitchen with a fresh Heirloom Glam design style, making it more functional and better suited to entertain friends. New carrera tiles backsplash, chandelier, seating area and more counter space make a dramatic new space.

Photo by: Gilles Mingasson/Getty Images

Gilles Mingasson/Getty Images

Prefer pink as an accent? A few subtle touches, like wall art and throw pillows, help to brighten this springy breakfast nook with just a touch of the shade

Photo by Design on a Dime [via HGTV.com]

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