Watermelon Cupcakes Summer Delight (Printable)
Moist vanilla cupcakes with creamy watermelon frosting, decorated to resemble fresh watermelon slices with chocolate chip seeds.
# What You’ll Need:
→ For the Cupcakes
01 - 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - ½ cup whole milk
→ For the Watermelon Frosting
09 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons watermelon juice
12 - 1–2 drops pink or red food coloring
13 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Decoration
14 - Mini chocolate chips
15 - Green food coloring
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
07 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
09 - Add watermelon juice, vanilla, and food coloring; beat until light and fluffy.
10 - Divide a small portion of frosting and color it green for decorating the edges.
11 - Frost cooled cupcakes with the watermelon frosting. Garnish with mini chocolate chips to resemble seeds. Optionally, pipe a green ring around the edges to mimic a watermelon rind.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The watermelon frosting tastes like biting into cold fruit on a hot day without being overwhelming or artificial
- These cupcakes spark instant joy and conversation at any summer gathering
02 -
- Watermelon flavor can be subtle, so don't be tempted to add more juice or the frosting will become too thin to pipe
- These cupcakes are best served the same day, as the moisture from fresh juice can soften the frosting over time
03 -
- If you can't find mini chocolate chips, regular chips can be cut in half with a sharp knife
- Add a teaspoon of watermelon extract along with the fresh juice for a more pronounced flavor