DIY Edible Terrariums

These gluten and dairy free DIY Edible Terrariums are seriously Mother Nature’s way of including those of us with brown thumbs out there. You know who you are. I’m looking right at you. Okay, I should be looking at myself, really. I try so hard to grow stuff but I really do have a brown-ish thumb (I say brown-ish because I haven’t killed my succulents…yet). But these terrariums take all the guessing work out of “When do I water them? How much sun do they need, now?”

There are many components to this edible craft however don’t be fooled, it’s a simple and easy “Bring it all together” process, I promise. You can even make some of these parts ahead of time, especially if you want to make this as a fun craft for a party or family event. I would make the cupcakes (without the frosting) the day before and store them in an air-tight containe in the fridge. I would also paint the marshmallow rocks ahead of time as well as color the crushed cereal with all natural green food coloring and allow both to dry out overnight. This way, the only thing that you would need to complete the day of was the frosting (easy!) and cutting up the kiwi fruit and strawberries.

These are the ADORABLE cupcakes that you will be adding to your very own DIY edible terrariums. I mean, they are the cutest, right? I want to live inside each of them! I tried my hardest to create landscape on each cupcake that was made from minimally processed stuff. I wanted to be as natural as I possibly could and I think I accomplished my mission with the minor exception of the crushed cereal “moss” and marshmallow “rocks” and “mushroom stems.” What do you think?

DIY Edible Terrariums

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Fork & Beans
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
• Yield: 4 Terrariums 1x

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 recipe gluten free chocolate cupcakes

For the Frosting:

• 1/3 c. non-hydrogenated shortening
• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/4 c. dark cocoa powder (or use regular)
• 1 Tbsp. nondairy milk

For the Moss:

• 3 c. gluten free cereal (like Chex, etc) or pretzels, crushed
• couple drops all natural green food coloring and water to mix evenly into cereal

For the Mushrooms:

• 20 strawberry tips
• 20 marshmallows
• 10 toothpicks, broken in half

For the Cactus:

• 4 kiwis, peeled
• 4 raspberries, for top
• chocolate sprinkles, for the prickles

For the Lotus Flower:

• 2 kiwis (Follow instructions here on how to make)
• 4 blackberries

For the Rocks:

• 2 c. marshmallows
• all natural black food coloring (find online at Natural Candy Store)
• clean paint brush

For the Soil:

• cacao nibs

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Instructions

1. See recipe notes for make ahead prep!
2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Follow the instructions here for the cupcakes. Allow to fully cool.
3. While your cupcakes are cooling, line the counter with parchment paper. Add a few drops of the black food coloring in a small bowl with equal parts water. Mix together and paint the marshmallows until evenly colored. Allow to dry.
4. Mix together all the ingredients for the frosting with an electric mixer over medium speed until fluffy. Add more milk if needed. Lightly frost each cupcake.

For each Terrarium:

1. Use a 7″ terracotta bottom for the terrarium holder. Cover with the crushed green cereal “moss” and add 3 cupcakes.
2. On one cupcake, add three strawberry marshmallow mushrooms. Use half of the toothpick to hold together and keep in place in the cupcake. Add a few marshmallow rocks and some cereal moss.
3. On another cupcake, add the kiwi cactus and a strawberry marshmallow mushroom. Lightly throw some cereal moss and cacao nibs on the frosting.
4. For the last cupcake, add the kiwi lotus flower.
5. Scatter more marshmallow rocks on the floor of the terrarium along with cacao nibs. Maybe add another strawberry marshmallow mushroom and top off with an adorable gnome (optional).

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Notes

For make-ahead prep:
Bake the cupcakes the night before and store in an air-tighter container in the fridge after they have fully cooled.
Paint the marshmallows and allow to fully dry overnight.
Crush the cereal and mix in the green food coloring to evenly color. Allow to fully dry overnight.

Don’t forget the gnome statues! You will need a guardian over these DIY Edible Terrariums.

This was one of my favorite creations to make to date. I’ve been having a lot of fun recently with creating new recipes that I’ve been extremely proud of but these DIY Edible Terrariums are at the top of the list, currently taking the title from my Succulent Cupcakes. Then again, this edible idea contains those cupcakes so it’s kinda more like a tie. But I’m finding that every time I make something I am so proud of, the thought I have in my heart is, “Man, I wish my mom was here to see this. She would have gotten such a big kick out of this!”

And then I remember that she DOES see it still, in fact, I think she is the reason WHY I’ve been in such a creative place lately. So maybe I should give her half the credit? Thanks, mom, you’ve been so inspiring to me lately…