Edible moss or edible grass for a cake is the perfect way to decorate woodland cakes and Easter cupcakes. This recipe uses simple ingredients and is made in just 5 minutes using a microwave.
What is edible moss?
Edible moss, edible grass, or cake moss is a vibrant green microwave sponge cake used to decorate cakes and cupcakes.
Alongside meringue mushrooms and chocolate bark, edible moss is perfect for making Buche de Noel, tree stump cake, woodland moss cake, grass cake, woodland cake, Easter grass cupcakes, and other forest-themed cakes.
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And don't forget to upgrade your moss cookies with this unique decor once you make them.
Finally, if you have ever wondered how to make edible grass resembling realistic moss, here is my quick edible moss recipe. It is easy for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned bakers.
Ingredients
For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.
- Medium-sized egg at room temperature.
- Flour - all-purpose or plain flour.
- Baking powder helps raise the sponge cake.
- Sugar - granulated or caster sugar.
- Honey adds moisture to the cake. Use liquid honey or read about how to liquefy honey at home. You can also replace honey with glucose or corn syrup.
- Green food coloring: Use liquid, gel, or powder. For vibrant colors, go for Americolor's avocado, forest green, or sangria shades.
How to make edible moss step-by-step
Step 1. Prepare microwave-safe paper cups. Alternatively, line microwave-friendly cups with parchment paper for easy cake removal and cleanup.
Step 2. Place the room-temperature egg, sugar, liquid honey, and one or two drops of green food color in a mixing bowl. Whisk the mixture with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until fluffy and doubled in volume.
Step 3. Sift the flour with baking powder over the bowl and gently mix with a silicone spatula.
Step 4. Divide the batter between three cups, filling each up to one-third. Make sure each cup has some room for the batter to rise.
Pro tip: Choose only microwave-safe cups or bowls. Read if you can put glass in microwave, if ceramic is safe for microwave, and if Tupperware is safe for microwave.
Step 5. Bring the cups (without lids) to the microwave and turn the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds. Check for doneness with a toothpick: the sponge is ready if it comes out dry.
Pro tip: If cooking one cup at a time, microwave each for 30 seconds. You can adjust the green color for the remaining cake batter.
Step 6. Using the oven mitts, carefully remove the cups from the microwave and turn them over on a wire rack to cool.
Step 7. Use scissors to cut the paper cups and remove the cake moss, or simply peel off the baking paper from the sponge cake.
To decorate the top of the cake, carefully divide the edible moss into the desired pieces without crushing it.
Expert tips
- Avoid using plastic glasses or cups unless they are labeled "microwave safe."
- Don't use paper coffee cups, as they are not designed to withstand the extreme heat of the microwave. Choose specially designed microwave-safe paper cups.
- Use microwave-friendly bowls or glasses lined with parchment paper for easy cleaning. Otherwise, run a knife along the edges of the dish to easily remove the cake, and soak the dishes in soapy water for a hassle-free cleanup.
- Adjust the baking time if needed since it depends on the power of your microwave oven.
- Create different colors of edible moss with various powdered or gel food colorings.
Storing and freezing
Store edible moss in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
Freeze it for up to one month. Wrap the edible moss with plastic film or place it in a freezing Ziploc bag.
Recipe FAQ
You can make edible moss using a green sponge cake, chopped pistachios, green sanding sugar, green-colored shredded coconut, or crushed graham crackers.
Cake moss is edible. When prepared using a sponge cake recipe, edible moss takes on a green color due to added green food coloring.
You can make a classic sponge cake by adding a green food color and baking it in the oven. Then, divide it into smaller or larger pieces and use them for cake decorating.
Looking for basic cake recipes? Try these next!
- Sponge chocolate cake
- Italian Pan di Spagna
- Genoise sponge cake
- Japanese sponge cake
- Or browse all the basic recipes on the website
Want more delicious and beautiful recipes? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for my latest updates. If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating on the recipe card and comment below!
PrintRecipe card
Edible Moss (Edible Grass) For A Cake
Edible moss, or edible grass, is a vibrant green edible sponge that adds a unique touch to cake and cupcake decorations. The recipe uses simple ingredients and is made in just 5 minutes using a microwave.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: Basic recipes
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 medium egg, room temperature
- ⅕ cup (25 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking powder
- 3 ¼ teaspoons (14 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons (30 g) liquid honey
- 1-2 drops of green food color (liquid or gel)
Instructions
-
Prepare microwave-safe paper cups. Alternatively, line microwave-friendly cups with parchment paper for easy cake removal and cleanup.
-
In a mixing bowl, place the room-temperature egg, sugar, liquid honey, and one or two drops of green food color. Whisk the mixture with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until fluffy and doubled in volume.
-
Sift the flour with baking powder over the bowl and gently mix with a silicone spatula.
-
Divide the batter between three cups, filling each up to one-third. Make sure each cup has some room for the batter to rise.
-
Bring the cups (without lids) to the microwave and turn the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds. Check for doneness with a toothpick: the sponge is ready if it comes out dry.
-
Using the oven mitts, carefully remove the cups from the microwave and turn them over on a wire rack to cool.
-
Use scissors to cut the paper cups and remove the cake moss, or simply peel off the baking paper from the sponge cake.
-
To decorate the top of the cake, divide the edible moss into the desired pieces, being careful not to crush it.
Notes
- Avoid using plastic glasses or cups unless they are labeled "microwave safe."
- Don't use paper coffee cups, as they are not designed to withstand the extreme heat of the microwave. Choose specially designed microwave-safe paper cups.
- Use microwave-friendly bowls or glasses lined with parchment paper for easy cleaning. Otherwise, run a knife along the edges of the cup to easily remove the cake, and soak the dishes in soapy water for a hassle-free clean-up.
- Adjust the baking time if needed, as it depends on the power of your microwave oven. If cooking one cup at a time, microwave each for 30 seconds. You can adjust the green color of the remaining cake batter.
- Create different colors of edible moss with various powdered or gel food colorings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 128
- Sugar: 13.2 g
- Sodium: 49 mg
- Fat: 3.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.3 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 5.1 g
- Cholesterol: 124 mg
The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.
Shima says
Help!
When I microwave the batter it’s coming out a reddish pink tint… even though it’s green in the mixing bowl?!
Irina Totterman says
Hello Shima, there could be two issues: either something wrong with the green food coloring or overcooked batter. So, decrease the cooking time first, then use another food coloring (fresher or another brand).
Veronica says
Can this be made with gluten free flour?
Irina Totterman says
Hello Veronica, I haven't tried this recipe wit gluten-free flour. If you make it, please let me know.
Sarah says
Amazing! Turned out perfect 🤗