Fresh Watermelon Cake

Fresh watermelon cake is made with only three ingredients, and it’s perfect for any summer potluck. It’s gluten-free and low sugar, so it is also great alternative to cake for those with dietary considerations.

Fresh Watermelon Cake

I’m not really sure who came up with the idea for this cake, but I love everything about it. I’ve seen a few versions floating around the web and with Memorial Day weekend coming up, I decided it was time to try it for myself.

The best part about the Fresh Watermelon Cake it is that you only need three ingredients to make it (okay, four if I’m being picky). It’s delicious, and even more so now because juicy watermelons are ripe and readily available at the grocery store. It is so easy to make and highly summer cookout appropriate.

Fresh Watermelon Cake

The frosting is heavy whipping cream beaten with granulated sugar. I added vanilla bean to the party because I knew it would be delicious. And it is. I’ve seen versions of this using tubs of frozen whipped topping, so you could use that too and make even shorter work of building the cake. I recommend the homemade whipped cream, though. Everything tastes so fresh and lovely.

Carving the ‘cake’.

Cutting the watermelon to shape was easier than I thought. Just cut the top and bottom of the melon off flat, and then carve the rind away. The shape doesn’t have to be anywhere near perfect, just do the best you can. The whipped cream will camouflage an uneven surface.

Fresh Watermelon Cake

You can make this cake as large or small as your party dictates (or that the available produce will allow), but you’ll need to adjust your whipped cream topping accordingly. This watermelon was about 7 pounds before carving, and 2 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream covered it well. It’s actually better to have too much whipped cream than too little, since it is instrumental in smoothing an uneven carving job.

If you’re into more traditional cakes, this recipe for Patriotic Petit Fours is quick and easy.

Hope you all have a happy Memorial Day weekend! 

PS. The adorable little red bicycle is a cake topper and can be found at Cranky Cakes Shop!

Fresh Watermelon Cake

Heather Baird
Fresh watermelon cake is made with only three ingredients, and it's perfect for any summer potluck. It's gluten-free and low sugar, so it is also great for those with dietary considerations.
Be sure to pat the surface of the watermelon dry before you frost. When you cut the cake, there will be a little water pool around the bottom, but that's normal. It doesn't affect the whipped cream. Some people have asked in the whipped cream will slide off. I've made this cake numerous times and I've never had that problem.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 7- 10 pound whole seedless watermelon
  • 2 1/2 cups 580g heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup 50g sugar
  • Seeds from one vanilla bean
  • Mint sprigs for garnish optional

Instructions
 

  • Using a large sharp knife, cut the top and bottom off of the watermelon flat and save the ends for later use. Turn the watermelon upright and carve away the rind in downward strips until all of the green and white pith is removed and you’re left with a red, ripe center. Carve away small pieces from the sides and top until the center is roughly cake-shaped.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream on high speed with an electric hand mixer until it begins to thicken. Add the sugar one tablespoon at a time, and then the vanilla bean seeds. Beat until the mixture is thick and spreadable, about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the watermelon to a cake stand or serving plate and pat the outside with paper towels to remove excess water. Spread the whipped cream over the entire surface of the watermelon. Use a melon baller to cut round pieces of melon from the two reserved ends. Place them on the top center of the cake and garnish with mint sprigs, if using. Store the cake in the refrigerator.

Notes

Make it vegan
Coconut Whipped Cream
2 (14 ounce) cans full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
1/4 cup (50g) fine granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Scoop the coconut solids from the chilled cans and save the liquid for another use. Place the coconut solids in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Beat on medium speed while adding the sugar gradually. Increase the speed to high and beat until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract. Use immediately to cover the watermelon.
Keyword fresh watermelon, vanilla bean whipped cream
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Cookbook Queen
Cookbook Queen
9 years ago

I just saw this for the first time yesterday…I love it!! SO so gorgeous and easy.

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
9 years ago

So pretty! A great idea.

Cheers,

Rosa

June Burns
June Burns
9 years ago

Wow, what a creative use for watermelon! This is probably the freshest and juiciest cake I've ever seen! 😉

Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
9 years ago

My birthday is in July and THIS looks just perfect for watermelon season. Absolutely gorgeous!

ymme
ymme
9 years ago

Origineel, mooi en zo gezond!
groetjes,
Ymme

Ale
Ale
9 years ago

Amazing!!!

Catherine
Catherine
9 years ago

That is beautiful!! What a great idea and so pretty to serve for a picnic! Blessings, Catherine

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

I LOVE this idea!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

this is genius!! as soon as summer starts I eat about a watermelon a week so I'm going to have to try this!

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
9 years ago

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen!! 🙂

decocinasytacones
decocinasytacones
9 years ago

WOW TRULY!!!, I have never seen anything like this…CONGRATULATIONS and thanks for sharing.
Love from the north of Spain (Basque country)
Marialuisa

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Beautiful! And so creative!

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Brilliant ,

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Does the watermelon juice and whipped cream start to react and slide off eventually? I'm wondering how long this can be stored in the fridge ahead of time and at the table?…would be fun to bring to my bunco club.

donna
donna
9 years ago

Amazing… once again!

Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts
Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts
9 years ago

This is stunning!! This looks perfect for a Memorial Day picnic!!

aida mollenkamp
aida mollenkamp
9 years ago

I love this idea! Can't wait to give it a go!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
9 years ago

@anonymous – This cake has been in the refrigerator for two days and the whipped cream is still on. Just be sure to pat the surface of the watermelon dry before you frost. When you cut the cake, there will be a little water pool around the bottom, but that's normal. It doesn't affect the whipped topping. I'm not sure what the results with a ready made product like Cool Whip would be, but the homemade whipped cream made from heavy cream holds up great.

Xochi
Xochi
9 years ago

This looks amazing! Heather, I was just about to ask that question, I was sure the watermelon would sweat and all that lovely frosting would slide off. I am DEFINITELY making this for a BBQ tomorrow! 🙂 Thanks for the sweet inspiration!

JustWatson
JustWatson
9 years ago

Love your blog & recipes! I have to ask… Is the bike just a cute prop or is there a story?

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

So beautiful and summery! Would love to fake people out with it!

Prachisvegkitch.blogspot.in
Prachisvegkitch.blogspot.in
9 years ago

its awesome…………

Alida Ryder
Alida Ryder
9 years ago

So gorgeous but I have to say, I can't think that my family will be too chuffed if I bring a watermelon out when they are expecting cake. 😉 However, I would still make this over and over again. Can only imagine how refreshing and light it must be!

Michal
Michal
9 years ago

Wow that's amazing

Jacquee
Jacquee
9 years ago

Totally fresh!!

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Gorgeous! Only you could make a watermelon look that good Heather!

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

This cake is absolutely gorgeous!

Foodiewife
Foodiewife
9 years ago

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was so clever. Leave it to you to step it up even nicer. It's a great idea, that my boys would love. No matter how hard I try, I don't like watermelon. Still, it's a great idea for a BBQ gathering and dessert. Bravo!

Laurie Johnson
Laurie Johnson
9 years ago

Completely awesome. Your Biggest Fan, my daughter Maaike, will be right on it. xoxo, Laurie and Maaike

Medeja- CranberryJam
Medeja- CranberryJam
9 years ago

I have seen this idea somewhere before! And I love it!

Sue
Sue
9 years ago

I absolutley LOVE watermelon and have been known to have a big wedge as the sole food item for lunch and dinner:) This cake is a dream come true! 🙂

Coco Cake Land
Coco Cake Land
9 years ago

this is the COOOOOOLEST! ice cold watermelon was my number one brutal craving when i was pregs with my son – i would've devoured every fresh watermelon cake i could get my hands on! love this, and all of your ideas of course, heather! xo

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

This is great! I make watermelon salads and think I would have to add fresh, finely chopped mint to the whipped cream for an additional fresh taste combination. Thanks!

sumbum
sumbum
9 years ago

do you think making the whipped cream with vanilla extract would work just as well?

Fabuloos Dreams
Fabuloos Dreams
9 years ago

Such a great idea!! It looks fabulous!!!

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Beautiful!! Love that little bike in the pic.

Unknown
Unknown
9 years ago

Does this cake need be eaten right away? There is so much moisture in watermelon that I picture it acting like it is melting almost from all the moisture coming from the watermelon.

Looks delicious!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
9 years ago

Hi Alycia! You can frost it a few hours ahead of time. My cake did not seep water at all before it was cut. After you cut the watermelon cake then water will start to puddle around the bottom. I had to pour the water off of the cake stand once because we didn't eat it all the first day, and overnight in the refrigerator the uneaten portion had seeped water. Oddly enough, the moisture didn't affect the whipped cream though. I know it sounds bizarre and a lot of people are skeptical that the whipped cream stays put, but… Read more »

Tracy
Tracy
9 years ago

I'm so intrigued by this cake! I've never seen one before and I, too, had that fear of the whipped cream sliding off. I've always used powdered sugar when making whipped cream to avoid the grittiness of regular sugar. I'm so excited to try your recipe! Thanks so much for sharing Ü

Laura Barajas
Laura Barajas
9 years ago

I really like the idea to use real whipped cream and mint as a garnish. I think mint and watermelon are best friends! I will have to try this next time.

Annytr
Annytr
7 years ago

Love this recipe! Can I make the whipped cream frosting one day ahead of assembly? And is it better to refrigerare the carved watermelon before frosting so it's easier to frost?

Amanda Dollahite
Amanda Dollahite
1 year ago

I love your creativity

Josee Marchessault
Josee Marchessault
7 months ago

5 stars
This was a HUGE success. I had a delicious seedless watermelon from Pecos TX. I made an 8 inch “one layer” cake, covered in stabilized whipped cream and decorated with fresh summer berries. I cannot begin to explain how fresh and delicious it was and the whipped cream stuck to the melon beautifully. A keeper for sure!