Watermelon Dream Cake
Experience the ultimate summer treat with this delightful Watermelon Dream Cake! Perfectly designed to mimic the appearance of a juicy slice of watermelon, complete with a vibrant rind and 'seeds,' this cake is sure to wow your guests at any summer gathering, picnic, or cookout. Made with fluffy layers of moist, flavorful cake and a luscious buttercream filling, each slice serves up a surprise that tastes just as good as it looks. Join the fun and impress everyone with this stunning dessert that’s as delicious as it is visually appealing!
20
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole milk
2 cups (at room temperature)
large eggs
5 (at room temperature)
vanilla extract
1.5 teaspoons (none)
strawberry extract
1 teaspoon (optional)
all-purpose flour
5.5 cups (none)
sifted powdered sugar
6 cups (none)
baking powder
3 tablespoons (none)
fine salt
2 teaspoons (none)
unsalted butter
1.5 cups (at room temperature)
watermelon gel food coloring
3-4 teaspoons (none)
watermelon Jolly Rancher candies
1 lb (unwrapped)
water
2 cups (none)
mascarpone cheese
8 ounces (at room temperature)
black gel food coloring
1-2 teaspoons (none)
leaf green gel food coloring
1-2 teaspoons (none)
electric green gel food coloring
2-3 teaspoons (none)
Americolor forest green gel food coloring
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare four 6-inch round pans by greasing them and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1/2 cup of milk, and the vanilla extract. Set aside.
3
In a stand mixer, combine the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed for a couple of minutes.
4
Add the butter and mix until the dry ingredients are moistened. Add the remaining milk gradually, beating on low speed after each addition. Then increase to medium speed and mix for about 30 seconds until creamy.
5
Scrape down the bowl and add the egg mixture in three batches, mixing well after each addition. Incorporate the watermelon food coloring until the desired shade is achieved.
6
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 40-47 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7
Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes; then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate the cakes for at least 8 hours.
8
To make the watermelon simple syrup, combine the Jolly Rancher candies and 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until fully dissolved. Let cool.
9
Whip up the Milkmoon Meringue Buttercream, reserving 5 cups for the filling. Mix the mascarpone cheese with the reserved buttercream, adding watermelon color until matched.
10
Trim the tops of the cooled cakes for even layers and torte if preferred for more layers. Build the cake using a turntable, brushing each layer with syrup and alternating buttercream colors.
11
After stacking, refrigerate the cake until firm. Frost the cake with a crumb coat and refrigerate again.
12
Apply a smooth coat of white buttercream around the sides to create the watermelon rind. Color remaining buttercream in shades of green for the exterior.
13
Brush the sides of the cake with melted green buttercream for a natural rind effect, then trim the top to reveal the smooth watermelon 'flesh.' Pipe black seeds on top using teardrop shapes.
14
When ready to serve, slice cleanly and enjoy the delightful surprise that awaits!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Watermelon Dream Cake?
It is a delightful summer dessert designed to mimic the appearance of a watermelon slice, featuring a green rind, pink 'flesh,' and black seeds made from frosting.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 20 servings.
What size cake pans are needed?
You will need four 6-inch round cake pans for this recipe.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long do the cake layers need to bake?
The cakes should bake for 40 to 47 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
How is the watermelon flavor incorporated into the cake?
The flavor comes from a combination of vanilla extract, optional strawberry extract, and a custom watermelon simple syrup made from Jolly Rancher candies.
What is the watermelon simple syrup made of?
It is made by boiling 1 lb of unwrapped watermelon Jolly Rancher candies with 2 cups of water until dissolved.
Why do the cakes need to be refrigerated for 8 hours?
Refrigeration allows the cakes to firm up, making them easier to handle, torte, and frost without crumbling.
What type of frosting is used for the filling?
The recipe uses a Milkmoon Meringue Buttercream mixed with mascarpone cheese and watermelon food coloring.
How are the watermelon 'seeds' created?
The seeds are piped onto the top of the cake using black gel food coloring or tinted buttercream in small teardrop shapes.
Which ingredients should be at room temperature?
The milk, eggs, butter, and mascarpone cheese should all be at room temperature for the best mixing results.
How do you achieve the look of a watermelon rind?
The rind is created by applying a smooth coat of white buttercream followed by various shades of green, then brushing the sides with melted green buttercream for a natural effect.
Can I use different types of food coloring?
The recipe specifically recommends gel food coloring in watermelon, black, leaf green, electric green, and forest green for the most vibrant colors.
What is the purpose of the mascarpone cheese?
The mascarpone is mixed with the buttercream filling to add a rich, creamy texture and a slight tang.
How should I prepare the cake pans?
Grease the pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure the cakes release easily.
When should the watermelon simple syrup be applied?
Brush each cake layer with the cooled syrup while building the cake to add moisture and flavor.
Does this cake contain real watermelon?
No, it uses candy and extracts to mimic the flavor and food coloring to mimic the appearance of real watermelon.
What is a crumb coat?
It is a thin initial layer of frosting that seals in crumbs before the final decorative layer of buttercream is applied.
How do you reveal the pink 'flesh' of the cake on top?
After frosting the rind on the sides, the top is trimmed or smoothed to reveal the inner watermelon-colored buttercream.
Is the strawberry extract necessary?
No, the strawberry extract is optional but recommended to enhance the fruity profile of the cake.
How many eggs are used in the batter?
This recipe requires 5 large eggs.
What kind of sugar is used in the cake batter?
The recipe specifically calls for 6 cups of sifted powdered sugar for the cake batter.
How should the egg mixture be added to the batter?
The egg and milk mixture should be added in three separate batches, mixing well after each addition.
What is the texture of the cake?
The cake is described as moist and fluffy, with a luscious and creamy buttercream filling.
What is torting a cake?
Torting involves slicing the cake layers horizontally to create more, thinner layers for a more professional look and better filling-to-cake ratio.
How should the dry ingredients be mixed?
Combine the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt in a stand mixer on low speed for a couple of minutes.
Can this cake be served at a picnic?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a perfect treat for summer gatherings, picnics, or cookouts.
How much butter is needed?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of unsalted butter.
What is the purpose of the watermelon food coloring in the batter?
It is used to color the interior cake layers so they look like the red or pink flesh of a watermelon.
How do you finish the cake before serving?
Ensure the cake is chilled so it can be sliced cleanly, showing off the surprise watermelon-like interior layers.