Watermelon Cupcakes
Nothing screams summer like the juicy, refreshing taste of watermelon, and these Watermelon Cupcakes capture that vibe in every bite! With vibrant green batter, fluffy pink-red frosting, and adorable watermelon seed candies (or mini chocolate chips) sprinkled on top, these cupcakes are as cute as they are delicious. After some trial and error (because who knew watermelon juice could be so shy in baked goods?), I landed on the perfect recipe that delivers bold watermelon flavor in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a summer picnic, a kid’s birthday party, or just craving a fun twist on cupcakes, these treats are sure to impress. Let’s dive into the recipe and all the tips to make them your new favorite!
Why You’ll Love These Watermelon Cupcakes
- Bold Watermelon Flavor: Thanks to LorAnn’s Super Strength Watermelon Flavoring, the cupcakes have just the right amount of sweet, summery taste without being overpowering.
- Picture-Perfect Look: Green batter mimics the rind, pink-red frosting looks like juicy watermelon flesh, and watermelon seed candies (my favorite!) add an authentic “seed” vibe.
- Perfect Texture: Moist, tender cupcakes with a crunchy candy surprise, topped with creamy frosting that pipes like a dream.
- Summer Vibes: These are a hit for summer parties, kid-friendly events, or just a fun baking project!
The Road to Watermelon Perfection
My first attempt at watermelon cupcakes used fresh watermelon juice in the batter, but the flavor faded during baking-such a bummer! After some experimenting, I have the perfectly flavored watermelon cupcakes with the following notes:
- LorAnn’s Flavoring: ¼ tsp is the sweet spot for a bold yet natural watermelon taste. Taste the batter before baking, but don’t overdo it—too much can taste like candy gone wild! Find it at Amazon or Hobby Lobby or Michaels.
- Watermelon Seed Candy: These tiny black candies from Bulk Candy Store are a game-changer! They taste like watermelon and look like real seeds, making your cupcakes both fun and flavorful. Garnish the tops of your cupcakes for a crunchy watermelon kick. If you can’t purchase the candy, mini semi-sweet chocolate chips work as a substitute but I’ll always choose the candies for their authentic look and flavor kick!
- Frosting Consistency: The extra watermelon juice (3½–4 tbsp) makes the frosting luscious and pefect for piping. If your frosting is too thin, just add powdered sugar 2 tablespoons at a time until it’s the proper consistency.
- Coloring: Gel food coloring (my favorite is Hobby Lobby’s Sunny Side Up brand) gives vibrant hues without altering texture. 4 drops green in the batter and 4 drops red in the frosting create a perfect watermelon look.
- Storage: Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days. Serve at room temp to let the flavors shine.
Why These Cupcakes Are a Summer Must
These watermelon cupcakes are the ultimate summer dessert—fun, flavorful, and perfect for any warm-weather occasion. The green batter and pink-red frosting make them look like little watermelon slices, and those watermelon seed candies (or chocolate chips) add a playful touch. Whether you’re baking for a party or just craving a sunny treat, these cupcakes are sure to steal the show.
Make It Your Own
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Let kids help fold in the candy seeds or sprinkle them on top for a baking adventure.
- Party Upgrade: Serve in green liners and add a watermelon slice gummy on top for extra flair.
- Flavor Twist: If you want a hint of tang, try adding ⅛ tsp citric acid to the batter (I skipped it, but it’s great for a sour candy vibe).
Ready to Bake?
Grab your mixing bowls, put on your favorite summer playlist, and whip up these watermelon cupcakes! They’re as fun to make as they are to eat. Have you tried them yet? Drop a comment below or share photos of your cupcakes—I’d love to see your creations!
Happy baking!
Watermelon Cupcakes
Print Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled 190 g
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup salted butter, softened 115 g
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 150 g
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp LorAnn Super Strength Watermelon Flavoring
- ½ cup milk 120 g
- 4 drops green gel food coloring Hobby Lobby or AmeriColor
For the Watermelon Frosting:
- ½ cup salted butter, softened 115 g
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted 240 g
- 3 ½ – 4 tbsp watermelon juice, freshly blended and strained from seedless watermelon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 4 drops red gel food coloring Hobby Lobby or AmeriColor
- watermelon seed candies or mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners (green liners enhance the watermelon rind theme).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream ½ cup softened butter and ¾ cup sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in 2 eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract and ¼ tsp LorAnn Super Strength Watermelon Flavoring.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with ½ cup milk (start and end with dry ingredients). Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Color the Batter: Add 4 drops green gel food coloring and mix until evenly distributed for a rind-like hue.
- Scoop Batter: Using a medium cookie scoop (2.7–3 tbsp, #20 or #24), divide batter into liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Gently tap the tin to settle batter and remove air bubbles.
- Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Frosting Juice: Blend ~1 ½ cups seedless watermelon chunks and strain through a fine mesh sieve to get 3 ½–4 tbsp juice.
- Make Frosting: Beat ½ cup softened butter until creamy. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, then mix in 3 ½ tbsp watermelon juice, ½ tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and 4 drops red gel food coloring. Add up to ½ tbsp more juice if desired, adjusting with 2 tbsp powdered sugar if too thin.
- Pipe Frosting: Transfer frosting to a piping bag with a Wilton 2A tip. Pipe smooth swirls onto cooled cupcakes.
- Decorate: Sprinkle 6–10 watermelon seed candies (preferred for authentic flavor) or mini semi-sweet chocolate chips on each cupcake for a “seed” effect.
Notes
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