Edible Potted Floral Garden (Printable)
A beautiful dessert with chocolate cake layers, creamy filling, and fresh edible flowers arranged to resemble a miniature garden in a pot.
# 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 (pansies, violets, nasturtiums)
18 - Fresh mint leaves
19 - Small sprigs of fresh herbs (thyme, basil)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated 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. Mix until smooth, then pour in hot water and stir until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.
05 - While cake cools, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar, vanilla, and softened cream cheese until medium-stiff peaks form. Keep refrigerated until assembly.
06 - Break cooled cake into small pieces and crumble into fine, soil-like texture using hands or fork.
07 - Layer crumbled cake in bottom of clean flower pots or dessert cups. Add creamy filling layer. Top with another cake crumb layer. Generously cover surface with chocolate cookie crumbs to simulate soil.
08 - Arrange edible flowers, mint leaves, and herb sprigs on top to create garden appearance. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving for optimal texture.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- The look on peoples faces when they realize they are about to eat dirt is absolutely priceless every single time
- Layers of rich chocolate cake and cream mean this is not just a pretty dessert but one that actually satisfies serious chocolate cravings
02 -
- Never use flowers from a florist or regular garden center because they are often treated with pesticides and chemicals that are definitely not meant for eating
- The whipped cream filling softens quickly at room temperature so keep these chilled until the very last minute before serving your surprised guests
03 -
- If your whipped cream refuses to stiffen, place your bowl inside another bowl filled with ice and continue whipping
- A small piping bag makes it much easier to get the cream filling neatly into smaller flower pots without making a mess