Saturday, April 10, 2010

Moss Cupcakes You Say?? I Do!!!


Ok, I know this is a sort of ridiculous thing to be posting, but I don't really care.  The idea popped into my head and it just wouldn't go away... Cupcakes. Made to look like moss balls.  "You know, those moss balls you see sold at home decor places."  I said, explaining the idea to Jason.  "What?  Like, the kind you put in your closet?" he replied.  He was driving in his car and on a headset, so there was a good deal of static on the line.  Still, I was pretty sure he said "closet" and I was really confused.  "No, what?  Why would you put cupcakes in the closet?" I said, shaking my head (to no one).  "I was going to ask the same thing!" was the reply.  "And since when are moth balls GREEN?".  "OH!  No, not MOTH balls, MOSS balls..."  I said, almost rolling my eyes and then realizing "moth balls" might actually have made more sense.  "Um, oh... well... I'm sure it'll turn out great, sweetie... Moss balls...". 


I could picture him nodding his head on the other side of the phone.  Convincing himself, mentally, that he was not dating a crazy person.  Jason really is so supportive.  Even when my suggestions scare and confound him... and everyone else around me.  But it's okay if people are worried, because in my head this stuff makes a weird kind of sense. Sometimes my little brain says "You know what would be fun?  Making some cake balls that look like sheep."  And off the couch I go, zombie-like, to the kitchen to see if I have any Pocky around I can use for legs.


Most of the time people come around to my way of thinking once they see the results.  That, or they're too frightened to say otherwise.  "I LOVE the cheese snowmen, really!" they say, grabbing the tray I bring to their party... smiling a little too widely as they make a mental note not to invite me to their next one.  That's what I imagine.  But I'm hoping they will amuse someone.  Moss may not be the most exciting substance to want on a dessert.  It's not cute.  Or even logical.  But I had a surprising amount of fun making them, and I think they're perfect for Spring, really.  REALLY.  They're pretty tasty, too, when you combine the chocolate bases with the minty green tops and then coat them with more minty chocolate cake crumbs.  


By the way, this recipe asks you to buy mint oil to flavor it.  There's no reason why you should have to listen to that, though.  I think these would work perfectly well if you chopped up a handful of chocolate mints to put in the cupcake base and called it a day.  I wouldn't be a good Chicagoan if I didn't ask that those chocolate mints be the classic Frango Mints from the old Marshall Fields stores (now Macy's, boo) if you can help it.  But really anything minty would work.  Use your imagination!  I do... even when it tells me to make odd things like this...


Recipe: Chocolate Mint Moss Cupcakes

Makes 16 cupcakes

For the cupcakes... (adapted from Joy of Baking)
1/2 cup cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
1 cup boiling hot water
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons mint oil

37 comments:

  1. bunkycooksApril 10, 2010

    I love it! These are very cute and I bet they are incredibly tasty, too!

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  2. Aww, this is cute! Very Alice in Wonderlandish... they would look cute topped with little red and white mushrooms (sweet ones made of something like meringue.

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  3. They are adorable!! I love them and that topping looks might tasty!

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  4. What is a moss ball? The cupcakes look gorgeous, but what is a moss ball?

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  5. glassesshopgirlApril 10, 2010

    Love this idea! A little weird, but love it. Sounds great for a garden party or outdoor baby shower!

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  6. what a great idea!! they look fantastic

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  7. I love these....I've got boulders out back that look like giganto moss balls these would look great sitting on top of them

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  8. Yummy & Very inventive! Cupcakes are such a versatile dessert!

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  9. Reminds me I need to make mushroom cookies again.

    WHERE have you been? :)

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  10. That looks...wow....unique! I love them!

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  11. Sanjana - It's funny you mentioned that because I almost did these as part of an Alice in Wonderland series! I even had these mushrooms made of little tomatoes and quail eggs planned!

    Mr P - I know I've been a horrible blogger, but the good news is I've been planning fun things for Peas Love Carrots. :) I'm happy to see I was missed, you have no idea! :) :)

    Thank you everyone for your comments, they are very much-loved!

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  12. This is a great idea for our upcoming garden party. The roses are coming out and we can decorate the platter of CCs...thanks!

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  13. moth ball cupcakes would be fun too huh? not sure if anyone would eat them - these are great.... glad to see ya back in my inbox

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  14. Want the cake stand btw.

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  15. I love your inventiveness and creativity ! You always have such fantastic recipes and ideas, keep up the good work :)

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  16. these are awesome! i love your ideas - you and your strange foods are welcome over to my house anytime.

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  17. So cute! Now you need to have a garden party and serve these on your lovely butterfly plates.

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  18. Adorable! I love the look of these so gorgeous. I also see that you are also in the Chicago area so it's fun to "virtually" meet another blogger.

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  19. It would make a good St. Pat's day party favor, too.

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  20. too cute! thanks for sending along... I posted today at ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com. great tutorial, too!!

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  21. What a great idea!! You're totally not crazy haha. They look cool!

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  22. OMG! I love you! This post is awesome and those cupcakes look - and sound - fantastic!

    The comment about the sheep and the pocky -- that's awesome!

    Oh, and I LOVE that cake dome!

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  23. These are AWESOME! Perfect for Earth day. You just got another follower.

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  24. I really want to frost a cake like this. I have no reason for a moss cake though, but I want one!

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  25. So.Cool. ! I can imagine little edible flowers on top of the moss as extra decoration too.

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  26. Holy smokes! This is incredible! Your cupcakes are super gorgeous and would have been perfect for our Easter Sunday dessert! Darn! But I'll still make these for sure. That is so cool. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Hi Mae!

    Missed ya! Love love love the moss. Makes me want to lie on soft mossy grass and stare up at the sky all day! And then come home and take a huge bite out of that cupcake!

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  28. Cute.

    I wouldn't be a good Minnesotan if I didn't comment that originally Frango Mints came from Dayton's that became Marshal Fields that became Macy's (boo).

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  29. Pretty weird, but you knew that. Silly and fun and what the world needs more of. Great post. Thanks

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  30. I just did a post on moss - may I use this recipe to follow? Jennifer jennsthreegraces

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  31. these are amazing :) I'm baking them for a church fundraiser and topping them with molded candy flowers...Thanks for sharing!

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  32. Great idea! Very cute! Great article!

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  33. yes, it's weird you wanted to make moss balls. but little did you know years later someone (me) would go stumbling around the internet looking for "edible moss" in order make mini terrariums out of jam jars as portable cupcakes for her kid's 7th birthday hike- and then fall upon your brilliance. it really does look like moss! thank you!

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  34. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012

    Im ECSTATIC someone had the right mind to pinterest this idea elsewhere!!

    You will never know how superbly you have helped complete the look of my wedding. Thank you for your creativity! May you be blessed many times over.

    -ET

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