Dreamy Watermelon Cake Recipe: A Refreshing Summer Treat

Sweet summer memories flood back when I discovered this delightful watermelon cake that transforms simple ingredients into pure magic.

Layers of light, airy frosting complement the fruit’s natural sweetness perfectly.

Cool and refreshing, this dessert brings unexpected excitement to any gathering.

Nobody expects cake to look exactly like its namesake fruit!

Decorative techniques make this treat a genuine showstopper at parties.

Kids and adults alike will marvel at the clever design.

Watermelon Cake That’s Light, Bright, and Sweet

• Burst with Watermelon Flavor: Dive into a delightful cake that captures the essence of summer's favorite fruit with its bold watermelon gelatin mix and vibrant red coloring.
• Quick and Simple Baking Adventure: Master this cake with easy-to-follow steps that make baking a breeze, perfect for both novice and experienced home bakers looking for a fun project.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Showstopper: Create an eye-catching treat that will wow friends and family with its clever watermelon design, making it ideal for summer parties, birthdays, and potluck gatherings.
• Playful Texture and Taste Combination: Enjoy the unique blend of mini chocolate chips scattered throughout the cake, adding a delightful crunch that complements the sweet watermelon-inspired flavor.

Watermelon Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the essential structure for the cake.
• Watermelon Gelatin Mix: Adds signature watermelon flavor and color.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the cake.

• Butter: Creates richness and tender texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cake's structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide moisture.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create soft crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings subtle depth of flavor.

• Mini Chocolate Chips, Flour: Creates watermelon seed effect.
• Red Gel Food Coloring: Gives vibrant watermelon-like color.

• Butter, Kosher Salt: Forms creamy base for frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and thickness.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Red, Green Food Coloring Gel: Mimics watermelon's exterior and rind colors.

Watermelon Cake Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm the oven to 350°F. Coat three 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray. Line pan bottoms with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Watermelon gelatin mix
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Baking soda

Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Components

Gradually incorporate flour mixture and buttermilk into the butter blend, starting and ending with flour. Stir in vanilla extract and red gel food coloring until fully combined.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips

Dust mini chocolate chips with flour and gently fold into the cake batter to prevent sinking during baking.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.

Step 7: Create Frosting

Beat softened butter and kosher salt until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and heavy cream, alternating between ingredients. Divide frosting into two bowls. Color one bowl red and the other green using food coloring gel.

Step 8: Decorate Watermelon Cake

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread red frosting between layers. Cover entire cake with red frosting. Use green frosting along bottom edge to create watermelon rind effect. Press mini chocolate chips into red frosting to resemble seeds.

Tricks That Help with a Watermelon Cake

• Prevent Chocolate Chip Sinking: Coat mini chocolate chips in flour before folding into batter to keep them evenly distributed throughout the cake during baking.
• Vibrant Color Trick: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more intense, saturated red and green hues without changing the batter's consistency.
• Moisture-Locking Technique: Add watermelon gelatin mix to enhance the cake's fruity flavor and help retain moisture, creating a soft, tender crumb.
• Frosting Smoothness Strategy: Gradually add powdered sugar and cream while beating to achieve a light, fluffy frosting without lumps or graininess.
• Seed Placement Pro Tip: Gently press chocolate chips into the frosting with a light touch to create a realistic watermelon seed pattern without damaging the cake's surface.

How To Keep Watermelon Cake Fresh For Serving

• Store the cake in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent frosting from melting.
• Wrap individual cake layers or the entire frosted cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• If serving within 1-2 days, leave the cake at room temperature in a covered cake carrier or container. Ensure it's protected from direct sunlight and heat.
• Cut leftover slices into individual portions, place in sealed containers, and refrigerate. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.

What Goes Best with Watermelon Cake

• Flavor Fusion with Fruity Libations: Pair this watermelon cake with a crisp rosé wine or a light raspberry mojito to complement the cake's sweet watermelon essence.
• Creamy Cool Companions: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a chilled strawberry smoothie to balance the cake's rich texture and enhance its fruity profile.
• Chocolate Chip Sidekicks: Enjoy with dark chocolate truffles or a mocha espresso to play off the cake's mini chocolate chips and create a delightful flavor contrast.
• Refreshing Palate Cleansers: Complement the dessert with fresh mint tea or a citrus-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate and highlight the cake's vibrant watermelon notes.

Watermelon Cake Recipe: Fruity Layer Ideas

• Gluten-Free Watermelon Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and taste while making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Watermelon Delight: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter alternatives, and substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar to create a dairy-free, egg-free version.
• Low-Sugar Watermelon Treat: Utilize stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of traditional sugar, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining the cake's delicious watermelon flavor profile.
• Nut-Free Watermelon Classic: Eliminate any potential nut-based ingredients and ensure all components are processed in a nut-free facility, making it safe for individuals with nut allergies.

FAQs

• Why use watermelon gelatin mix in the cake batter?

The gelatin mix helps intensify the watermelon flavor and gives the cake a vibrant color without compromising the cake’s texture or moisture.

• Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel food coloring?

Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides more intense color without adding extra liquid to the batter, which can affect the cake’s consistency and texture.

• How do I prevent chocolate chips from sinking in the batter?

Tossing the mini chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter helps coat them and prevents them from sinking during baking.

• What's the purpose of using buttermilk in this recipe?

Buttermilk adds moisture, creates a tender crumb, and helps activate the baking soda, resulting in a lighter, softer cake texture.

Watermelon Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet summer charm meets delightful Watermelon Cake, a refreshing dessert that blends cool fruit with creamy frosting. Light, fruity layers promise a delectable journey through seasonal flavors you’ll savor with each blissful bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons watermelon gelatin mix

Cake Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• Nonstick baking spray

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat three 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, watermelon gelatin mix, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
4. Gradually blend the flour mixture and buttermilk into the butter mixture, alternating between the two. Incorporate vanilla extract and red gel food coloring, mixing until the batter is uniform.
5. Lightly coat mini chocolate chips with flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold them into the cake batter.
6. Distribute the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks for complete cooling.
7. Prepare the frosting by whipping softened butter with kosher salt until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and heavy cream, alternating between the two. Divide the frosting and tint one portion red and another green using gel food coloring.
8. Assemble the cake by layering each cake round with red frosting. Cover the entire exterior with red frosting, creating a smooth surface.
9. Decorate the cake’s base with green frosting to simulate a watermelon rind. Strategically place mini chocolate chips across the red frosting to resemble watermelon seeds, completing the visual effect.

Notes

• Prevent chocolate chips from sinking by coating them lightly in flour before folding into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the cake.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and buttermilk to create a smoother, more consistent cake texture that rises evenly and prevents lumpy batter.
• Achieve vibrant food coloring by adding gel-based colors gradually and mixing thoroughly, which provides intense hues without watering down the frosting’s consistency.
• Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain a clean, professional-looking decorative finish with crisp frosting edges.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg