Turn a sweet and juicy summer fruit into an adorable watermelon cake that everyone will love.
Nothing beats a cool and refreshing slice of watermelon on those hot summer days. In this recipe, watermelon is served up like cake but tastes so much more refreshing! Enjoy a slice topped with whipped topping and fresh berries!
What is Watermelon Cake?
Fresh and healthy, watermelon cake isn’t a cake at all! In this easy recipe, watermelon is cut into a cylinder and ‘iced’ with whipped topping. Garnish it up with fresh fruit, berries, or even slivered almonds.
- This cake is a simple version of a watermelon cake.
- This watermelon cake is so quick and easy to make.
- Serve this sweet cake for a birthday party, or a wedding, or bring it to the next picnic, BBQ, or pool party.
- Dress this up with all kinds of additional fruit for a colorful cake.
- Healthy and thirst-quenching, this dessert is perfect for those hot summer days.
Ingredients & Variations
WATERMELON: Choose a seedless watermelon for the best results. To choose the best watermelon that is sweet and juicy:
- Make sure that the fruit is heavy for its size, is uniform in shape, has no cracks, and isn’t mushy in spots.
- Also, check for the yellow spot. This is formed when the melon has been resting in the field, and it means that the watermelon has been vine-ripened.
- It is also a good idea to give the watermelon a little tap. It should have a deep sound.
TOPPING: This cake is topped with some cool whip or cool whip light. Or make a homemade whipped cream with some vanilla extract and powdered sugar if serving right away.
How to Make Watermelon Cake
This cake is a healthy and adorable addition to any picnic or party!
- Cut the watermelon so it can stand upright and shape into a cake.
- Pat the watermelon dry to remove moisture on the outside (as per the recipe below) so the whipped topping sticks to it.
- Frost with dessert topping. Decorate as desired.
- Serve by cutting the watermelon into wedges.
How to Decorate Watermelon Cake
To dress up this cake, add some cut strawberries to the topping or any other fruit. Or cut some watermelon into star shapes, and then attach these pieces to the watermelon with some toothpicks.
- mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings
- fresh raspberries or blueberries
- mint for garnish
- sliced almonds or chopped pecans
- sprinkles
We attempted this a few different ways to make layers and none held together well. The fruit becomes too slippery and is difficult to cut and the cake just slides around. Stick to the single layer of cake in the recipe below!
Make Ahead and Leftovers
If using whipped topping, this watermelon cake can be made up to 8 hours in advance and stored on a serving platter in the fridge uncovered.
Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If bringing it to an outdoor event, it may be a good idea to keep it on ice.
More Watermelon favorites
Easy Watermelon Salad (with feta)
Salads
Rainbow Fruit Kabobs
Desserts
Fresh Watermelon Mojitos
Beverages
Summer Fruit Salad (with Honey Lime Dressing)
Breakfast
Did you make this Watermelon Cake? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
5 from 7 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!
Fresh Watermelon Cake
This adorable cake is made out of fresh watermelon and comes together in just a few minutes. Such a sweet summery treat that requires no baking!
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 15 minutes minutes
Servings 12 servings
Author Holly Nilsson
Ingredients
- 1 whole seedless watermelon for a large cake or ½ watermelon for a small cake
- 1-2 tubs dessert topping such a Cool Whip or Cool Whip light
- fresh berries and/or nuts for garnish
Instructions
Cut the ends off of the watermelon so it can stand upright.
Using a sharp knife, trim off the rind. Finally, trim around the watermelon to give it a "cake" shape.
Once cut, use paper towels to completely dab the watermelon dry. You don't need to squeeze it but the surface should be as dry as possible.
Frost the watermelon with the dessert topping using an offset spatula.
Use berries or topping of your choice to decorate the cake.
Notes
Note: Using Cool Whip or Cool Whip Light, stayed nicely on the watermelon even after a couple of days!
- The amount of whipped topping needed will vary based on the size of the watermelon.
- To serve, cut the ‘cake’ into wedges.
- We attempted several ways to make a layer cake and it hold up well.
- Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
5 from 7 votes
Nutrition Information
Calories: 113 | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 2134IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Cake, Dessert
Cuisine American
© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Inspired by instructables
Categories:
Desserts, Healthy Recipes
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About the author
Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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