Fruit Topiary Tutorial

You will need:
Foam cone, any size.. this one was 12" tall (you can use this over and over, too.. to its a great investment)
4-5 different fruits, cut into 1" chunks or balls using a melon baller
Fresh mint, star fruit, or berries for accents
Wax paper, cellophane, or better yet- lettuce leaf (for wrapping the foam topiary)
Box of toothpicks

Okay! So first we need to wrap our topiary. Personally, I prefer to use lettuce leaf because it creates the illusion that this whole topiary is made of organic material! I use rubber bands to secure the lettuce leaves to the cone.. its really simple actually! Just wrap the leaves around and snap, pop on a rubber band.
Now that your cone is fully wrapped, block out your sections... you could make this tiered (layered) or do it like I did, with fruit going up the sides in sections. Be creative! This will take time and trial and error.. but if the placement doesn't work, no damage done, just remove the toothpick and place again! Start at the bottom and work your way to the top, that's the easiest way... I also think its easiest to place big pieces first, leaving gaps, and then come back and fill with either mint leaves, starfruit, or smaller pieces of your fruit.

The results are stunning and nothing short of a culinary masterpiece! Everyone kept asking where I bought it... well, you CAN buy these, but they will set you back $50-$200!!!! No way!! for a $5.99 cone and $20.00 of fruit, we made our own beautiful topiary and now with the cone I can make them again and again.
You can use any shape of foam you want... I have seen these made from round balls, and wreath foam shapes as well! For the ball, you will want to buy a piece of wooden dowel and firmly secure the dowel into the round ahead of time. For an easy display option, place the dowel in a cheap flower pot and using plaster of Paris, "cement' it in! So adorable, right!


You could use other things on this as well, such as small mozzarella balls, olives, and cherry tomatoes.. be creative!

Tip: after using your cone, create a simple bleach water solution by diluting 1/4 cup bleach in 2 gallons of water, soak your cone in the water for 10-15 minutes and then let air-dry to sanitize in case any organic material made it into the foam.