Written by Renata Lacerda of Testado, Provado & Aprovado.

Simplicity and creativity are things that fascinate me, and if it is edible it fascinates me even more. Have you ever looked carefully at some of the most popular snacks around? Many have their own edible containers, and all you need is a napkin when you eat them. For example, the bun is a container for the sausage in the hot-dog, the tortilla is a container for a wrap, and the cone a container for the ice cream, just to name a few. But edible containers have been taken to another level and it wasn't very difficult to find many creative people out there sharing their clever projects on edible containers of all sorts. From breakfast throughout dinner, and even for the kids, here are some great ideas to make your meals special and unique.

BREAKFAST

Photo by Meseidy of The Noshery

If you love to have your bacon-toasts-eggs in the morning, you can make it look pretty fancy with this bite sized cup shaped toast filled with quail eggs and bacon, then baked to your desired doneness . Many variations are allowed here, such as adding cheese, herbs or whatever suits your breakfast cravings.
By Meseidy of THE NOSHERY

Photo by Elizabeth of Elizabeth's Edible Experience

Or, you can make the bowls with ham, filled with eggs and then baked. Elizabeth of ELIZABETH'S EDIBLE EXPERIENCE suggests a mushroom filling...

Photo by Staci of The Podunkian Post Gazette

...and Staci of THE PODUNKIAN POST GAZETTE used maple ham.

LUNCH

Photo by Paula of Salad in a Jar

If you're in the mood for some Mexican style food, you can try these Texas Fiesta Bowls, by Paula of SALAD IN A JAR. Edible bowls made from flour tortillas. The most interesting part here is that the tortillas are shaped in between the cups of an up side down cupcake pan, and not IN the cup!

Here are two suggestions for serving salad in edible containers.

Photo by Megan of Not Martha

Megan of NOT MARTHA, created these bacon baskets and used them as delish containers for a salad.

Photo by Shirley Santos of Gestão Gastronômica

For a lighter version, you can try this Asian style salad in a basket made with noodles! I love this one! Created by Shirley Santos of GESTÃO GASTRONÔMICA

COFFEE BREAK

Photo by Lavazza Training Centre

In the middle of the morning or afternoon you might want a coffee break, so what about some coffee with cookies? Better than that, you can drink your coffee and then eat the cup! It's made of cookie dough coated with a special icing that allows you to pour hot coffee. What a brilliant idea! Designed by ENRIQUE LUIS SARDI together with the team at the LAVAZZA Training Centre.

DINNER

Photo by Renata Lacerda of Testado, Provado & Aprovado

To start off your dinner, some soup in edible bowls made of bread dough and shaped with the help of an upside down muffin pan. By Renata Lacerda of TESTADO, PROVADO & APROVADO

Photo by Renata Lacerda of Testado, Provado & Aprovado

It's time for the main course and you want to make a beautiful (edible) decoration for your plates. So, grab a cherry tomato, fill it with small leaves, sprouts and garlic chives or thin strips of cucumber and you will have a cute vase. By myself at TESTADO, PROVADO & APROVADO! Got this clever idea from a Korean chef that hosts an Italian Cuisine TV show here in Korea.

Nature has made many edible containers for our main courses and side dishes and here are some excellent examples:

Photo by Bettina of Choosy Beggars

Depending on what your menu is, a souflée is always a welcome side dish. I was delighted with this idea of baking it inside an onion. Not just because it is creative, but it must be SOOOO good! By Bettina of CHOOSY BEGGARS.

Photo by Dajana of Baker's Corner

Another adorable side dish is the Crepe Bundle that is charmingly fastened with chives. By Dajana of BAKER'S CORNER

Photo by Tobias of kahunaburger

Colorful stuffed bell peppers with their charming lids make a gorgeous main dish, by Tobias of KAHUNABURGER

DESSERTS

Finally, desserts in delicious containers to make your dinner memorable! Lots to choose from!

Photo by Tonya of À la Graham

Chocolate bowls you can fill with anything imaginable. These were made with the help of balloons! Who would've guessed? Brilliant idea!
By Tonya of À LA GRAHAM

Photo by Renata Lacerda of Testado, Provado & Aprovado

If you want something more elaborate, you can make caramel baskets like this one I made while creating for one of the most exciting challenges of The Daring Bakers, the Pièce Montée. By TESTADO, PROVADO & APROVADO!

Photo by Jana of Cherry Tea Cakes

Phyllo Dough can also make very interesting bowls. This one was created by Jana of CHERRY TEA CAKES. She filled the bowls with delicious Pumpkin Chiffon.

Photo by Heather of Sprinkle Bakes

Peanut butter mousse served in edible spoons is absolutely charming! The spoons were made with chocolate tuiles by Heather of SPRINKLE BAKES.

Photo by Hannah of Kegworks Blog

For an unforgettable dinner closing, you can serve some liqueur in a chocolate cup. I wouldn't resist eating the cup! Would you?? Suggested by Hannah of KEGWORKS BLOG

Photo by Kim of The Chocolate Lady

Stylish, and very sophisticated, these cups/bowls have an interesting design made with chocolate transfers. By Kim of THE CHOCOLATE LADY

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Photo by HilLesha of Welcome to the Motherhood

If kids are among your guests, candies in edible teacups made with ice cream cones, and cookie saucers will certainly be a hit!! A really creative take by HilLesha of WELCOME TO THE MOTHERHOOD

As you can see, people can get very creative in the kitchen, so why not try one of these incr-E-D-I-B-L-E containers the next time you have guests? I'm sure you will hear many Ahh's and Wow's!

A huge Thank You to all the foodies who shared their ingenious edible container ideas!