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The Cutest Watermelon Cupcakes For Summer Parties

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These are the cutest watermelon cupcakes ever! Decorated with mini chocolate chips for watermelon seeds, these are super fun for a summer bbq or summer gathering!

Easy Watermelon Cupcakes

I’m back with another fun, creative, and oh-so-delicious treat that you and your little ones will absolutely adore. Watermelon Cupcakes are on the menu today, and trust me, they are as delightful to look at as they are to eat! So, let’s get started!Is there anything better than fresh watermelon in the summertime? You won’t be using an actual watermelon in this watermelon cupcakes recipe but you will still get the delicious flavor.

Watermelon Cupcakes are essentially fluffy vanilla cupcakes that are given a juicy twist! With the addition of watermelon flavored gelatin in the batter and a vibrant pink color in the frosting, these cupcakes truly embody the essence of watermelon. Top them with pink-tinted buttercream frosting and mini chocolate chips (to mimic watermelon seeds), and voila! You have the cutest and tastiest watermelon-inspired treats ready!

This watermelon cupcake recipe is super easy to make. It is made with a yummy buttercream frosting that has been flavored with watermelon jello. You will need a large mixing bowl, muffin tins, a wire rack, an electric mixer and of course cupcake paper liners in a bright green color for these delicious cupcakes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use boxed cake mix for the cupcakes?
A: Of course! If you’re pressed for time, feel free to use a boxed cake mix. Just add watermelon puree and food coloring to keep with the theme.

Q: Can I use natural food coloring?
A: Yes! Beet juice can be a wonderful natural alternative for pink food coloring.

Q: What if I don’t have mini chocolate chips for the “seeds”?
A: No problem! You can chop up regular chocolate chips into smaller pieces or even use black sesame seeds.

The homemade frosting is a beautiful pink color that just looks so good a summer parties. Some recipes call for cream cheese frosting but you can really do the frosting of your choice.

Tips and Tricks

  1. Don’t Overmix: Be careful not to overmix the batter. It’s key to achieving a light and fluffy texture.

  2. Cool Completely Before Frosting: Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before you apply the frosting, or it will melt.

  3. Use a Piping Bag: For a neat and professional-looking frosting, use a piping bag with a star nozzle.

Variations

  1. Watermelon Lemonade Cupcakes: Add a little lemon zest to the batter for a refreshing twist.

  2. Fruity Fun: Mix in small pieces of fresh watermelon into the batter for extra juiciness.

  3. Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk and a dairy-free butter substitute for a lactose-free alternative.

Where to Serve

  1. Summer Picnics: These are the perfect treats for a summer picnic, as they’re light and refreshing.

  2. Kids’ Birthday Parties: Children will love the fun design, making them a great choice for birthdays.

  3. School Events: Be the star mom at school events by bringing in these adorable cupcakes.

Storage Tips

  1. Air-Tight Container: Store the cupcakes in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.

  2. Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in an airtight container. They’ll last for up to three months in the freezer.

If you have a watermelon theme party these delicious watermelon cupcakes with pink frosting are super perfect! This is also a great recipe for a birthday party. It’s a fun cupcake to celebrate the season. You guys know I love themed cupcakes so be sure to check out the bottom of the post for more recipes!

The part is you don’t need any real watermelon or watermelon puree for these delicious summer cupcakes.

What ingredients are needed for these easy watermelon cupcakes?

Cupcake Ingredients:

  • 1 white cake mix
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla
  • 1/2 package of watermelon flavored gelatin (we found ours at Kroger)
  • Green food coloring
  • Green cupcake liners (Get them at Walmart or on Amazon)

Frosting Ingredients

  • 2 sticks salted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla
  • 1/2 package of watermelon flavored gelatin (we found ours at Kroger)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons half and half or whole milk (not pictured)
  • Dark pink and/or red gel food coloring
  • 1 large piping bag, 1 large round icing tip
  • 1 cup White Sanding Sugar, divided
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips

How do you make these fun Watermelon Cupcakes?

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or line a standard muffin tin.
  2. **Because you are adding vanilla to the cake mix and the sanding sugar to the frosting, the watermelon flavor is more subtle and pleasant. It doesn’t punch you in the face like other recipes
  3. Step 1: Add cake mix to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, add in your oil, egg whites, and water and mix on medium until well incorporated.
  4. Step 2: Add in your ½ package of watermelon gelatin and vanilla.
  5. Step 3: Add in your green food coloring until desired color is achieved.
  6. Steps 4-5: Add batter into the muffin tin until each is about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Directions for Frosting:

  1. Steps 6-7:  In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter, and beat until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla, remaining watermelon gelatin and ¼ cup sanding sugar.
  2. Steps 8-10: Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, while adding a bit of the half and half or milk in between each cup.  Continue to mix for 1 minute or until creamy. Add in your pink food coloring. Add a bit of red if you want a deeper color.
  3. Step 11: Prepare piping bag and fill bag with frosting and frost your cupcakes.
  4. Steps 12-13: If you desire, sprinkle with your white sanding sugar. Then top each cupcake with a handful of the mini chocolate chips Enjoy! Makes 24 cupcakes.

Topping Options

  1. Edible Flowers: Garnish with edible flowers for a more sophisticated look.

  2. Fruit Toppings: Place a small piece of fresh watermelon on top as an extra garnish.

  3. Sprinkles: Use green and pink sprinkles to accentuate the watermelon theme.

What are some other fun watermelon recipes to try?

Why This Recipe Works

Ladies, this Watermelon Cupcakes recipe is pure magic because it combines the beloved, moist texture of cupcakes with the refreshing flavor of watermelon – a sure summer favorite. They are visually appealing which makes them an instant hit among kids. The recipe is versatile and can be adapted for various dietary preferences. Moreover, it doesn’t require any fancy ingredients or complicated steps.

If you enjoyed these cute little watermelon cupcakes be sure to let me know and tag me when you share them on Instagram!

The Cutest Watermelon Cupcakes For Summer Parties
Yield: 24 cupcakes

The Cutest Watermelon Cupcakes For Summer Parties

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

These watermelon cupcakes are made with a fun green batter, pink butter cream frosting and mini chocolate chips.

Ingredients

  • Cupcake Ingredients:
  • • 1 white cake mix
  • • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • • 4 large egg whites
  • • 1 ¼ cups water
  • • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla
  • • 1/2 package of watermelon flavored gelatin (we found ours at Kroger)
  • • Green food coloring
  • • Green cupcake liners (Get them at Walmart or on Amazon)
  • Frosting Ingredients
  • • 2 sticks salted butter, softened
  • • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla
  • • 1/2 package of watermelon flavored gelatin (we found ours at Kroger)
  • • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • • 1-2 tablespoons half and half or whole milk (not pictured)
  • • Dark pink and/or red food coloring
  • • 1 large piping bag, 1 large round frosting tip
  • • 1 cup White Sanding Sugar, divided
  • • ½ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or line a standard muffin tin.
  2. **Because you are adding vanilla to the cake mix and the sanding sugar to the frosting, the watermelon flavor is more subtle and pleasant. It doesn’t punch you in the face like other recipes
  3. Step 1: Add cake mix to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, add in your oil, egg whites, and water and mix on medium until well incorporated.
  4. Step 2: Add in your ½ package of watermelon gelatin and vanilla.
  5. Step 3: Add in your green food coloring until desired color is achieved.
  6. Steps 4-5: Add batter into the muffin tin until each is about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Directions for Frosting:

  1. Steps 6-7:  In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter, and beat until light and fluffy. Mix
    in 1 teaspoon vanilla, remaining watermelon gelatin and ¼ cup sanding sugar.
  2. Steps 8-10: Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, while adding a bit of the half and half or milk in between each cup.  Continue to mix for 1 minute or until creamy. Add in your pink food coloring. Add a bit of red if you want a deeper color.
  3. Step 11: Prepare piping bag and fill bag with frosting and frost your cupcakes.
  4. Steps 12-13: If you desire, sprinkle with your white sanding sugar. Then top each cupcake with a handful of the mini chocolate chips Enjoy! Makes 24 cupcakes.

Notes

If you need a recipe for sanding sugar be sure to check out this one!

Nutrition Information

Yield

24

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 278Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 23mgSodium 114mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 0gSugar 35gProtein 2g

Did you make this recipe?

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© Nellie
Cuisine: American

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