This refreshing Layered Watermelon Berry Cake is a component recent fruit platter, half no-bake summer time dessert, and half edible centerpiece! Thick watermelon layers are full of whipped cream and recent berries, then completed with a colourful crown of summer time fruit.
Right here’s the simplest cake you’ll no-bake this summer time! This Layered Watermelon Berry Cake was impressed by a earlier watermelon cake right here on the weblog – my OG Recent Watermelon Cake recipe from greater than a decade in the past! That one has been such a reader favourite that I knew there was room for one more model. This torte-style cake provides extra taste and texture with whipped cream and juicy berries. It’s a recent fruit dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make, and it’ll look completely lovely in your desk.
It’s good for lighter summer time fare, and I like it for entertaining as a result of it’s naturally gluten-free. You may simply make it dairy-free with coconut whipped cream and different plant-based whipped toppings. It’s so versatile!
The Secret to a Sturdy Watermelon Cake
After testing totally different kinds of watermelon truffles through the years, I’ve realized that with a ‘torte’ model cake – like this one – construction is all the things. Watermelon is of course heavy with juices, so protecting the layers secure and safe requires just a few easy methods.
First, drying the watermelon rounds with paper towels helps the whipped cream adhere higher. By no means skip this step. Second, agency-ripe blueberries create tiny helps between the layers, which retains the cake secure with out skewers or helps. No mushy berries allowed. Lastly, assembling the cake the identical day it’s to be served is crucial for the freshest taste and greatest presentation. Fortunately, it comes collectively fairly shortly!
Earlier than we get began on the ‘cake’ – in case you’re on the lookout for an all-purpose watermelon-cutting information, then try my HGTV article. The best way to Lower a Watermelon, is a step-by-step information for straightforward slicing and cubing strategies. ‘Tis the season!
Lower the Watermelon Into Layers
Begin with a seedless watermelon that has a large, rounded heart. (I name it a “pot stomach” form.) A 7-10 pound watermelon works greatest for creating all of the layers and decors you’ll need. Search for a watermelon that feels heavy for its dimension and has a creamy yellow discipline spot. A ripe watermelon may have the sweetest taste and a agency texture for layering.
First, trim away the tapered ends of the watermelon. Subsequent, reduce the middle part into three thick slices. Utilizing a 6 x 2-inch pastry ring like an enormous cookie cutter, press down into the middle of every slice to create completely spherical cake layers. As a result of the watermelon slices will probably be thicker than the ring, press as deeply as attainable after which use a small paring knife to complete the cuts. Save any watermelon flesh items and scraps for snacking on.
Tip: In the event you don’t have a pastry ring, use a 6-inch dessert plate as a template. Heart the plate on the watermelon slice and reduce round it with a pointy knife. Hold the knife straight as you chop so the perimeters stay even and cake-like.
Prep the Watermelon Layers
When you’ve reduce out the watermelon rounds, trim them to about 2 inches thick. Then place the layers between paper towels and gently pat them dry. This further step removes extra moisture so the whipped cream sticks to the watermelon and the completed cake doesn’t give off its juices.
The watermelon layers will be ready a day prematurely. Wrap them in paper towels, cowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate till you’re able to assemble.
As for the leftover watermelon, I by no means let it go to waste. Use a melon baller to scoop out watermelon balls for adorning the completed cake. Any extras make a candy snack for the prepare dinner!
Add the Whipped Cream and Berries
Whip the heavy cream till barely thickened. Then regularly add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla bean paste and proceed whipping till stiff peaks kind. The whipped cream ought to be thick sufficient to unfold and pipe.
Unfold a skinny layer of whipped cream over the primary watermelon layer, leaving about 3/4 inch uncovered across the edge. Prepare a single layer of blueberries over the whipped cream, then unfold somewhat extra whipped cream over the berries so simply their tops stay seen. Pipe a border of whipped cream stars across the edge. Repeat the method with the second layer, then end with the third watermelon spherical.
Why blueberries? They’re extra than simply ornament. Agency-ripe blueberries act as tiny helps between the watermelon layers, serving to the cake maintain its form. Keep away from comfortable or overripe berries, which might collapse underneath the load of the watermelon.
Dairy-Free Alternate options to Heavy Whipping Cream
Coconut whipped cream is a straightforward various to heavy cream, however takes some pre-planning as a result of the coconut milk wants a prolonged chill. Refrigerate 2 cans of (unshaken) full fats coconut milk till very chilly (ideally in a single day). Scoop out the solids from the can into the bowl of an electrical mixer, then whip till comfortable peaks kind. Sprinkle within the confectioners sugar then whip till stiff peaks kind. (Save the liquid in your smoothies!)
You can even use dairy-free heavy cream corresponding to Nation Crock Dairy Free Whipping Cream.
Embellish the Layered Watermelon Berry Cake
Now for the ending touches! Embellish the highest of the cake with a number of the reserved watermelon balls, extra blueberries, and an assortment of recent berries. That is the right place to get artistic and use no matter summer time fruit you could have readily available. Any leftover fruit, such because the melon balls, will be served alongside the cake.
I couldn’t resist including a shiny inexperienced slice from the lone kiwifruit in my fridge for a pop of coloration. Recent mint sprigs and food-safe flowers make lovely additions, too. You can additionally give this cake a tropical makeover with pineapple, coconut, and colourful papaya. Or simply add birthday candles!
Make Forward and Storage
- The watermelon layers will be ready as much as 24 hours prematurely. Wrap every layer in paper towels, then cowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate till able to assemble.
- For the freshest presentation, assemble the cake the identical day you propose to serve it. As soon as assembled, the cake will maintain its form fantastically for a number of hours within the fridge with out turning into watery.
- Any leftovers ought to be saved coated within the fridge and loved inside 1 to 2 days.
However How Does It Style?
This was a frequent query on my unique watermelon cake put up from 2014. I perceive some skepticism in case you’ve by no means tried a watermelon cake earlier than. However I’m right here to let you know that it’s very nice! The watermelon gives juicy sweetness, whereas the whipped cream provides a creamy ambrosia word. The ethereal whipped cream completely compliments the tart berries.
Will a Watermelon Cake Grow to be Watery?
That is by far the most typical query I obtain about watermelon truffles. The quick reply is: not in case you put together it correctly. Patting the layers dry with paper towels is crucial step as a result of it removes floor moisture. As soon as assembled, the cake will be refrigerated for a number of hours with out turning into watery.
In actual fact, I’ve discovered that the watermelon doesn’t noticeably launch its juice till the cake is reduce. At that time, you may even see a small quantity of liquid accumulate across the base of the cake or on the serving plate. That’s fully regular and doesn’t have an effect on the whipped cream or the general presentation. This cake holds up significantly better than most individuals anticipate.
Summer time in a Slice!
This Layered Watermelon Berry Cake is simply made for summer time soirees. It’s fairly sufficient for a backyard social gathering, but additionally enjoyable for a cookout. Each slice is gentle and refreshing. It’s simply candy sufficient due to the whipped cream and berries. And in case you’re entertaining, it’s a terrific gluten-free possibility that everybody loves.
Layered Watermelon Berry Cake
This Layered Watermelon Berry Cake transforms recent watermelon into a ravishing layered dessert. Full of whipped cream and blueberries and topped with colourful summer time fruit, it’s a refreshing no-bake deal with good for events, cookouts, and scorching summer time days.
- 7-10 pound seedless watermelon
- 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream or non-dairy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups recent blueberries firm-ripe, about 18 ounces
- 1 cup assorted recent berries for adorning
- Recent mint sprigs for garnish
Put together the Watermelon
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Trim away the rounded ends of the watermelon, leaving the widest heart portion. Reserve the trimmed watermelon for later use.
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Lower the middle portion crosswise into three thick slices.
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Utilizing a 6×2-inch spherical pastry ring, reduce a circle from the middle of every watermelon slice. If the slices are thicker than the ring, press the ring in so far as attainable, then use a paring knife to finish the cuts.
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Trim every watermelon spherical to roughly 2 inches thick.
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Place the watermelon rounds between layers of paper towels and gently pat dry. For greatest outcomes, wrap the watermelon slices in paper towels and refrigerate for half-hour earlier than assembling the cake.
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Use a melon baller to scoop balls from the reserved watermelon items. Refrigerate till prepared to brighten the cake.
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Wash the entire berries and pat very dry. Put aside.
Make the Whipped Cream
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In a big mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electrical mixer on excessive velocity till barely thickened.
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Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Proceed beating till stiff peaks kind and the whipped cream is thick sufficient to unfold.
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Switch about half of the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a big closed-star piping tip.
Assemble the Cake
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Place one watermelon layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
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Unfold a skinny layer of whipped cream excessive, leaving about 3/4 inch uncovered across the edge.
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Prepare a single layer of blueberries over the whipped cream. Unfold extra whipped cream thinly over the berries in order that simply the tops of the berries are displaying by way of.
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Pipe a border of whipped cream stars across the uncovered edge.
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Prime with a second watermelon layer and repeat the whipped cream and blueberry layers. Pipe one other row of stars across the edge.
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Add the ultimate watermelon layer and repeat with whipped cream and blueberries.
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Cowl the highest of the cake with extra whipped cream if desired, and pipe the star border across the high edge.
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Embellish with the reserved watermelon balls, recent berries, mint sprigs, and edible flowers, if utilizing.
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Refrigerate till able to serve.
- The blueberries are an vital structural component on this recipe. Use firm-ripe blueberries quite than comfortable or overripe berries to allow them to help the load of the watermelon layers.
- The watermelon layers will be ready as much as 24 hours forward. Wrap the rounds in paper towels, then plastic wrap, and refrigerate till able to assemble.
- For a dairy-free model, use coconut whipped cream or a plant-based whipping cream substitute.
- In the event you don’t have a 6-inch pastry ring, place a 6-inch dessert plate on the watermelon slice and use it as a chopping information.
