Cupcake Terrarium – how to make a nature-inspired terrarium filled with cupcakes, edible greenery, petite mushrooms and miniature deer. A step-by-step tutorial by Mary and Brenda Maher of Cakegirls.
Growing up in the Midwest, my sister and I always found fall walks and the changing landscape to be a rich source of inspiration. The colors, textures and organic shapes of nature translate beautifully to desserts. We wanted to create something less formal than a wedding cake but still evocative of the woods: a playful, elegant cupcake terrarium that works for fall dinners, bridal showers, birthdays or baby showers.
The concept is simple: dark chocolate cupcakes dressed with natural-looking edible leaves, tiny gum-paste mushrooms and small deer figures. It’s charming, slightly whimsical and forgiving—there’s no single correct way to arrange the scene. Below is our step-by-step guide to assemble your own cupcake terrarium.
CUPCAKE TERRARIUM
a tutorial by Cakegirls
Supplies:
Chocolate cupcakes baked in a variety of liners (for visual interest use different sizes and finishes): brown panettone liners, brown pleated liners and small black foil liners. Dark chocolate buttercream or fudge icing. Gum paste tinted in two shades of green. A leaf cutter set to create varied foliage shapes. Small novelty deer picks or figures. Pre-made mini gum-paste mushrooms or homemade mushrooms if preferred. A cake stand or plate and a glass dome or cloche to complete the terrarium look. Chocolate wafer cookie crumbs for the “earth” finish.
STEP 1: Make Edible Leaves (Two Days Ahead)
Tint gum paste into two shades of green. We mixed yellow and green to get a bright green, and used yellow, green and a touch of black for deeper evergreen tones. Pull small portions of each color and lightly knead them together so the colors marble rather than fully blend.
On a surface dusted with powdered sugar, roll the marbled gum paste as thin as possible (about 1/16″). Use the leaf cutters to cut a variety of shapes and sizes. Lay the cut leaves on a parchment-lined tray and allow them to dry overnight. Flip them and let them dry an additional day so they hold shape and have a natural curve.
STEP 2: Arrange the Display
Bake chocolate cupcakes in the different liners and frost them with dark chocolate icing so the tops resemble a rich, earthy surface. Using varied liner sizes creates depth and interest in the arrangement.
On your serving plate or cake stand, arrange the cupcakes in a pleasing composition. Add gum-paste leaves among and around the cupcakes, tucking some under liners and letting others rest naturally on the icing. Place small deer figures to create a whimsical scene.
Add the mini mushrooms in clusters and use a little buttercream to secure any that need extra adhesion to the stand or cupcakes. Scatter chocolate wafer cookie crumbs over the display to mimic soil and add texture.
When you’re satisfied with the arrangement, place the glass dome over the stand to complete the terrarium effect. The dome adds a finishing touch and highlights the edible landscape inside.
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