This Woodland Fairy Edible Terrarium is a fun dessert that looks like a mini forest. It has layers of chocolate cake, creamy mousse, and crushed cookies. Decorate it with chocolate mushrooms and fresh herbs. It's easy to make and perfect for nature-themed parties.
Bake cake according to package directions making one 9x13 size or 2 rounds. Let cool completely before using.
15.25 oz chocolate cake mix
Whisk together milk and pudding and refrigerate until firm, about 5 minutes. Fold together with whipped topping to make a mousse. Set aside.
3.9 oz instant chocolate pudding, 2 cup milk, 8 oz whipped topping
Place 12 Oreo cookies into a resealable bag and seal shut. Use a rolling pin to coarsely crush cookies. Place into a bowl and set aside. Repeat, so you have 2 bowls of 12 crushed cookies.
30 Oreo cookies
Place 6 Golden Oreo cookies into a resealable bag and add 10-12 (or more) drops of green food coloring. Seal shut and knead until green, or the desired shade for moss. Set aside.
6 Golden Oreo cookies, Green food coloring
Make mushrooms by melting chocolate chips in a resealable bag. Microwave for 60 seconds on 50% power and knead until smooth, returning to the microwave in 30-second increments at 50% power until melted and smooth.
2 tbsp chocolate chips
Cut a few chocolate creme filled wafers with a knife. Place fudge cookies face down on a flat surface. Add a dollop of melted chocolate and gently press the creme filled wafers into the chocolate to create a stem. You may need to hold the wafer for a minute or two until the chocolate begins to harden. Repeat for the desired number of mushrooms and refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes.
Pirouline creme filled wafers, Chocolate-covered peanut butter fudge cookies
Remove mushrooms from the fridge and frost with red frosting and sprinkle with bits of white candy pieces. Place into a bowl filled with sugar for icing to harden a bit.
Red frosting, 3 white candy melts
To assemble the terrarium: Pour rocks into the bottom of the glass jar.
1 lb chocolate rocks
Cut cake in half and break apart with your fingers and sprinkle on top of the rocks. Gently press into an even layer.
Top with the 12 crushed Oreos followed by the mousse. Top with remaining 12 crushed Oreos and half of cake, crumbling as you add the layer. If desired, add a few taller "cubes" of cake, to make some dimension within your terrarium.
Finely crush 6 Oreo cookies and sprinkle on top to create dirt.
Sprinkle green moss in any pattern you'd like on top of the cookies.
Add mushrooms, the easiest way to do this is to put them between your fingers as shown and press them into the cake. The frosting, usually thick, doesn't completely harden, and this is the easiest way to press them into the cake without damaging them.
Tuck in fresh herbs to create plants. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Fresh mint, Fresh rosemary, Fresh thyme
Notes
Place mushrooms and herbs on the day of serving to maintain freshness.
Refrigerate the terrarium. Use milder herbs if concerned about flavor transfer.
To avoid fog on the glass, let the terrarium sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.