Cake decoration leaves (mint leaves) make sweets look much more stylish.
It’s often used in cake shops.
When you want to decorate the sweets you make at home to make them look stylish, you may have trouble finding mint leaves.
Oh no! I don’t have any mint leaves. What should I do…?
If that’s the case, let’s use a substitute for the cake decorating leaves (mint leaves)!
In this article, I’ll introduce you to “cake decorating leaf (mint leaf) substitutes” that will help you in your time of need, so please take a look at them.
What are cake decorating leaves? Role and Points for Choosing Substitutes
Mint is often used as a leaf for cake decorations.
These mint leaves accentuate the color of the cake and make it look more stylish.
Also, it is a decoration that can be enjoyed not only for its appearance but also for its aroma.
Thus, mint is often referred to as “decoration for eating” because its clean taste matches sweet cakes.
When choosing a substitute for cake decorating leaves (mint leaves), it is best to consider whether you are more interested in appearance, aroma, or taste.
16 substitutes for mint leaves (cake decorating leaves)
1) Chervil (Serpentine)
Some cake shops use chervil (serpentine) instead of mint.
So, if you can get chervil instead, you can substitute it without any problem.
Chervil has a subtle sweetness and a refreshing aroma that goes well with the cake.
2) Mitsuba
Mitsuba is used in soup and chawanmushi.
It is an aromatic herb used in Japanese cuisine, but its refreshing aroma can also be used to decorate cakes.
The bright green color makes it look great.
3) Shiso
Shiso has a refreshing aroma and is perfect for summer menus.
It is larger than mint leaves and has a peculiar aroma, but it can be substituted.
Shiso can be eaten raw and can be used for homemade sweets without any problem.
4) Parsley
Parsley is used as a garnish for Western dishes.
Some people do not like it, but fresh parsley can be eaten raw.
It is similar in color to mint and has no peculiar aroma, so it can be substituted without any problem.
5) Carrot leaves
Carrot leaves are characterized by their small and thin shape.
If you don’t have mint, you can use carrot leaves instead.
Carrot leaves have a faint carrot aroma and taste.
It will go well with carrot cake as well as any cake made with vegetables.
If you have carrots with leaves, please try to substitute them.
6) Broccoli leaves
When you buy broccoli, some of them come with leaves.
If you don’t have leaves to decorate your cake, you can try using broccoli leaves.
However, broccoli leaves need to be cooked to be eaten, so if you plan to eat them, please make sure they are cooked.
7) Strawberry stems
If you don’t have leaves for cake decoration, you can use strawberry heads instead.
If your cake is made with strawberries, you may feel comfortable decorating it with them.
If you are going to give it as a gift, it would be a good idea to tell the recipient that it is a strawberry stub and cannot be eaten.
8) Mimosa leaves
The “mimosa” has small yellow flowers.
The leaves of the mimosa are bright green, but unlike the mint, they are thin.
The flowers of the mimosa are sometimes used in cooking, but the leaves are rarely eaten.
However, in terms of adding color, it may be a good substitute.
9) Dill
Dill goes well with fish and other dishes.
It has a refreshing flavor and is a good substitute for cake decorations.
It is recommended that it can be eaten as is, but keep in mind that it does not have the same plump shape as mint leaves, so it will look different.
10) Artificial flowers
If you can’t find herbs or edible leaves, artificial flowers are a good substitute.
Artificial flowers of various shapes are available at 100 yen stores, so you may try cutting them to the size you like.
However, since these are decorations that will be placed on the cake, it is recommended that you sterilize them in case they get into your mouth.
11) Chocolate for decoration
You can decorate your sweets with “chocolate for decoration.
If you don’t have leaves for cakes, you can try using decorative chocolate instead.
You can eat the chocolate as it is, and it can also create a glamorous effect that leaves cannot.
You can also choose heart-shaped or spray-type chocolates in a variety of colors and shapes.
12) Matcha Cookies
If you want to add a touch of green to your cake decorations, matcha cookies are a great choice.
Matcha cookies will add the flavor of matcha and will go well with sweet cakes.
However, it may be difficult to make or find small cookies to fit the size of the cake.
If you don’t care much about the balance between the decorations and the cake, it may be a good option.
13) Fruit
Fruits can be used as a substitute for leaves to decorate the cake.
You can use any fruit that would go well with the cake, but strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, mandarin oranges, kiwis, pineapples, and peaches are recommended.
You may want to avoid fruits that change color easily, such as bananas.
14) Candied flowers
Candied edible flowers such as violets can also be used as a substitute for leaves in cake decorations.
They are edible, so of course, you can eat them, and if you stylishly decorate them, they will look gorgeous.
15) Arazan
Allazan is used as a topping for sweets.
It is a silvery, glittery topping that looks gorgeous.
Allazan is made of sugar, so of course, you can eat it with your cake!
16) Nuts
Nuts are crispy and crunchy.
They go well with the cake and can be used as a substitute for mint leaves.
Although they look different, they are recommended in that they can be eaten as is.
Also, green nuts such as pistachios can be used as a colorful accent.
Summary
- When choosing a substitute for cake decorating leaves (mint leaves), it is best to consider whether you value appearance, aroma, or taste.
- The following 17 leaves are recommended as substitutes for cake decoration leaves (mint leaves). [chervil, mitsuba, shiso, parsley, carrot leaves, broccoli leaves, strawberry stems, mimosa leaves, dill, artificial flowers, picks, decorative chocolate, green tea cookies, fruit, candied flowers, alazan, nuts].
- Be careful not to eat strawberry leaves or mimosa leaves.
- Artificial flowers and picks should be disinfected before use.