My watermelon cake — the perfect summer refresher.
Learning how to make a watermelon cake is SO easy! At it’s core (get it? HA!) it’s just a humble seedless watermelon with it’s rind removed that’s coated in luscious whipped cream and cut into slices like a layer cake. My watermelon cake recipe is a timeless and easy summer dessert recipe that’s perfect for entertaining. This article first appeared on Epicurious in 2014 and since it’s no longer on the site, I’m sharing it here.
At first glance, this may look like a ordinary cake, but it's actually made with the ultimate summer refresher -- watermelon. Topped with whipped cream and decorated with berries, this fresh watermelon cake is a great way to indulge in dessert without consuming a ton of calories and is a fun and delicious way to enjoy the juicy summer fruit. Here's a super easy step-by-step guide on how to make a watermelon cake.
1. Wash and pat dry a whole seedless watermelon.
2. Slice off both ends with a paring knife. Now you have a round of watermelon.
3. Place the watermelon flat-side down on your work surface. Carefully remove the rind from each of the sides.
4. Trim the sides until you've created a cylindrical shape and there's no remaining rind.
5. Make a quick sweetened whipped cream frosting: In a large bowl, beat 4 cups heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks with a handheld electric mixer (trust me, you don’t want to do this by hand). Sprinkle 4 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the cream and beat the mixture until the stiff peaks return.
6. Pat dry the surface of the watermelon with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Using a rubber spatula, mound the whipped cream in the center of the watermelon cylinder.
7. Spread the luscious whipped cream down the sides of the watermelon. This is SO satisfying.
8. Using a clean spatula, smooth the surface of the whipped cream-covered cake.
9. Top the watermelon cake with fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries — or whatever fruit or additions you like!
10. Slice and serve.
RECIPE
Perfect Sweetened Whipped Cream
4 cups heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Beat the cream to stiff peaks in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer (trust me, you don’t want to do this by hand). Add the sugar and vanilla and beat the until the stiff peaks return.
Photography by David Cicconi
Would you make this watermelon cake? Tell me in the comments, below.