Tu Bishvat, the New Year for the Trees, invites us to pause and appreciate growth, both in the natural world and in our own kitchens. While the holiday is rooted in fruits, trees, and the bounty of the Land of Israel, there’s also room for creativity and joy at the table.

Enter: Edible Trees. A playful, layered dessert that turns the symbolism of Tu Bishvat into something tangible, festive, and delicious for both younger and older kids.

Go the dessert route, like we did here, and serve these toward the end of the day using chocolate cake and mousse, or make them a bit healthier with avocado mousse and protein-packed cake for a breakfast surprise. The adorable planters we used come with shovel spoons, adding the perfect whimsical touch.

What you'll need:

(Makes 2 tree planters)

-1 round pan of chocolate cake, crumbled into fine crumbs

-2 cups chocolate mousse

-4 pretzel sticks

-1/2 cup melted milk chocolate

-1 batch green angel food cake (microwave method below)

-Planter cups with shovel spoons

How to Make Edible Trees

1- Build the Tree Trunk
Dip two pretzel sticks into melted brown chocolate, coating them completely. Lay them side by side or slightly overlapped on parchment paper and let them set. Once firm and dry, they form a sturdy, tree-like trunk.

2- Add the Treetop (See recipe below)
Tear green angel food cake into fluffy, irregular pieces (this gives the most natural, leafy look). Use kitchen scissors for a more symmetrical, rounded shape. Gently press the pieces onto the top of the pretzel trunk, using melted chocolate as “glue”. Allow to dry.

3- Layer the Base
Spoon a layer of chocolate cake crumbs into the bottom of each planter cup. Add a smooth layer of chocolate mousse on top, followed by one more layer of each. Then finish with more cake crumbs to fully cover the mousse. This gives the look of rich, dark earth.

4- Plant the Tree
Insert the finished edible tree directly into the cake crumb “soil,” standing it upright like it’s freshly planted.

Serve each planter with a tiny shovel spoon.

BONUS RECIPE: GREEN ANGEL FOOD CAKE TREE TOPS

Ingredients:

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 and 1/2 tablespoons of honey, warmed for easy incorporating

Green gel food coloring, amount to your liking

3 tablespoons self-rising flour

1 and 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the egg and sugar until very light and fluffy, two to three minutes.

2. Add the honey and gel food coloring. Add more gel, one drop at a time, whisking until desired color is achieved.

3. Using a sieve, sift the flour and baking powder into the green batter, very carefully folding everything together with a rubber spatula until combined.

4. Fill 2-3 disposable microwaveable cups about 1/3 of the way up. Do not fill cups completely to the top as the cakes will rise.

5. Microwave the cups for about 50 seconds until fluffy and cooked through.

6. Let the cups of cake cool upside-down on a baking rack. Once cooled completely, cut each cup open with kitchen scissors and remove the cake. 

Chag Sameach, and may your trees continue to flourish.

Photography by Sara Goldstein