Edible Potted Floral Garden (Printable)
Chocolate cake layered with cream and topped with cookie soil, edible flowers, and fresh herbs creates a stunning garden display.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chocolate Cake
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
08 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 cup hot water
→ Creamy Filling
12 - 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
13 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
→ Soil Topping
16 - 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs, finely crushed
→ Decoration
17 - 1 cup edible flowers such as pansies, violets, nasturtiums
18 - Fresh mint leaves
19 - Small sprigs of fresh herbs such as thyme or basil
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Beat until smooth. Pour in hot water and mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.
05 - Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cream cheese until medium-stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
06 - Break cooled cake into small pieces and crumble into fine, soil-like texture.
07 - Layer crumbled cake in the bottom of clean flower pots or dessert cups. Add creamy filling on top. Finish with another layer of cake crumbs.
08 - Generously sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbs over the top layer to resemble garden soil.
09 - Arrange edible flowers, mint leaves, and herb sprigs on top to mimic a blooming garden.
10 - Refrigerate assembled pots for at least 30 minutes to set flavors and texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The moment someone realizes theyre supposed to eat the flowerpot, their face does this amazing confused delighted thing
- Its the dessert that photographs itself seriously, people will Instagram this before they even take a bite
02 -
- Not all flowers are edible so please source from farmers markets or specialty grocers who label them specifically for eating
- The chocolate soil needs to be generous and slightly mounded because it settles into the cream as it chills
03 -
- Clean your flower pots with boiling water before using them for food, even if theyre brand new
- The cake actually tastes better after sitting overnight so bake it the day before you plan to assemble