Description
This whimsical Watermelon Cake is a showstopping dessert made with layers of vibrant red cake speckled with chocolate chip ‘seeds’ and decorated to look just like a watermelon. Topped with jelly beans and a hand-painted rind effect, it’s perfect for summer parties and birthdays.
Ingredients
Scale
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 (15.25-oz) boxes white cake mix, plus ingredients called for on the box
- 5 teaspoons red gel food coloring, divided
- 1 cup mini dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (6 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk (plus more as needed)
- 2 teaspoons green gel food coloring
- 2 teaspoons yellow gel food coloring
- A handful of black mini jelly beans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line four 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare Cake Batter: Mix the cake batter according to box instructions. Add 4 teaspoons red gel food coloring and stir well until evenly colored.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Toss chocolate chips with flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold into the batter.
- Bake Cakes: Divide batter among pans and bake according to instructions (about 30 minutes). Let cool 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make Frosting: Beat softened butter with half the powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually mix in remaining sugar, milk, and a pinch of salt until fluffy. Adjust milk as needed for consistency.
- Color Frosting: Divide frosting into two bowls. Leave one white; tint the other with 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring.
- Level & Stack Layers: Level cake tops with a serrated knife. On a cake plate, spread a dab of red frosting, add first layer, and top with 3/4 cup red frosting. Repeat with remaining layers.
- Crumb Coat: Pipe a ring of red frosting around top edge, then apply a crumb coat of frosting over the entire cake. Chill for 1 hour.
- Final Frosting: Spread white frosting around the outside of the cake. Fill top center with red frosting, inside the white piped edge.
- Add Jelly Beans: Place mini black jelly beans on top to resemble watermelon seeds.
- Paint Rind: Mix green and yellow gel colorings each with 1 tablespoon vodka or vanilla extract. Dab vertically along the sides using sponges to mimic a watermelon rind.
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free cake mix that fits your dietary needs.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free butter and plant milk.
- Flavor Twist: Add coconut or lemon extract to the cake batter or frosting for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 65g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: watermelon cake, summer cake, chocolate chip seed cake, red and green cake, decorated cake, birthday cake, fruit-themed cake