This simple dessert idea is easy to make and only contains fresh fruit! Feel free to customize by using the fruit of your choice. It makes a beautiful presentation and would be perfect for summer get togethers, birthdays, and other special occasions.
I love this time of year. The weather is warming up, all of the plants and flowers are thriving again, and the markets are filled with fresh summer produce. Every market haul includes loads of fresh fruit, which we snack on all throughout the day. One of our favorites is watermelon, which we all practically can eat our weight in!
The other day, I found watermelon on sale for $2 each! Isn’t that a great deal? Needless to say, I bought way too many. There’s something in my DNA which prohibits me from passing up a deal. 😉
Over the years, I’ve seen many versions of this watermelon “cake” on Pinterest, which can range from thick watermelon slices cut into wedges, like a pizza, or watermelon cylinders frosted with cool whip, and then the layered “cake,” like I have here. Since I have so many watermelons on hand, I thought I’d be fun to make a watermelon cake of my own. Memorial Day and 4th of July are coming up here in the U.S., so I gave it a patriotic twist, using red, white, and blue fruit! I even cut out a few stars to sprinkle over the top to make it extra festive!
I have several family members who are either currently serving or have served our country in the Armed Forces, so I am continually thankful and aware of the sacrifices that are made for our freedom each and every day. If you are actively serving or have served our country in the past, THANK YOU so much for your service to our country!!
I love this cake because it can be easily customized using your favorite fruit or whatever is in season. Use different shaped cutters or omit the cutouts for a healthier take on birthday cake or a pretty dessert to take to a party. Whatever the occasion, I hope you enjoy this simple dessert idea!
- 1 whole seedless watermelon
- fresh fruit of choice—I used 2 white peaches, 1 green apple, ¾ pound fresh strawberries, and 1 pint fresh blueberries
- juice of 1 lemon, to coat white fruit to keep it from turning brown
- skewers
to hold cake together, optional
to hold cake together, optional- Cut peaches, strawberries, and any other larger fruit into thin slices. Set aside.
- If making cut outs, slice fruit about ¼-inch thick (I used green apples and white peaches) and use a small cutter to cut out shapes. If using white fruit, coat cutouts with lemon juice to keep from turning brown.
- Cut three or four ¾–1 inch watermelon slices. Use a small plate as a guide to cut watermelon circles out of the rind. Place 1 watermelon "cake" layer on serving plate and top with fruit (I used strawberry and peach slices, and blueberries. Repeat with remaining watermelon layers and fruit. Top with extra berries and cutouts, if using.
- To help keep "cake" together, you can push a few skewers (cut to size) through all the layers. Just remember to remove before serving. Not really necessary if you're building on the spot and serving right away.
- Inspired by this tutorial on Craftsy.
You may also enjoy these similar recipes:
Healthier Tropical Fruit Pizza
Haupia (Coconut) Pudding with Fresh Fruit
Mixed Berry Slab Pie
Oh my!! This looks amazing!! 😀
Wow, this looks FAB-U-LOUS! I love those little mini seedless watermelons, and they would be perfect for this. Layered with the mini Yellow Watermelons they are coming out with now, and some fresh Blackberries and Cherries, it would make an awesome addition to our summer Book Club Pot Luck Meeting. (Just thinking out loud….)
Would you serve it one layer per person? Cutting it like a cake seems like it would fall apart. Thanks for the great idea!
Thank you so much! Love the idea of using mini yellow watermelons in the layers too! You could serve each person a layer, depending on how big they are, or you can cut slices in each layer. I served 2 layer slices, but that really works best with sturdy watermelon layers. Let me know how it turns out for you!! Enjoy!
This looks delicious and SO refreshing! The perfect summer treat!
Thanks Helen!
I love this! I always end up eating fruit for dessert at cookouts bc I can’t have too much of the “normal” dessert options so I am super excited to bring this next time we head somewhere!
This is so fun and festive and perfect for the holidays!
Thank you Bethany! Have a great week!
So clever and beautiful. What I love in particular is that it can be a centerpiece AND part of an outdoor meal!
Thanks! I hope you have a fun week!
I love this post and just pinned it to my recipes: Recipes for Non-cooks! My husband is obsessed with watermelon and he buys too many as well. I need to be prepared to make this next time. Great idea
Thanks for the kind words, Debby! Have a great weekend!
Now that’s a different twist on “cake”. Can’t believe you found watermelons for $2 each – you STOLE those melons! 😉 Anyway, this looks great – and something different to serve. Pinning.
Lol, thanks Alexandra!
This looks beautiful, delicious and healthy! Your watermelon layer cake came out looking awesome. What a perfect summertime dessert. This would be a great treat for Memorial Day 🙂
Thanks, Angie Rose!
Oh my gosh, how gorgeous is this?! It looks and sounds absolutely delicious.
Molly // Miss Molly Moon
Thanks Molly!
This looks SO yummy!
Thank you!
This is so beautiful! That cake is just gorgeous. Your pictures are so pretty!
Thank you Katherine!
ok, wow, this is the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. Your food photography is amazing and this also look SUPER delicious!
Thanks for the kind words, Kallie! I really appreciate it. I hope you have a lovely weekend!
That is the cutest, most delicious thing I think I’ve ever seen! I would have never thought to make it look like a cake! Nicely done 🙂
Thanks Bre!
OMG! What a great idea! Your photography always knocks my socks off.
Lol, thank you friend. I appreciate the love.
Oh wow, this looks so refreshing dear. It looks really pretty. 🙂
Thank you sweet friend
well it looks amazing. I wish I had skill to come up with creative ideas like that. Personally that Blueberry Slab cake is more my alley but this watermelon cake looks beautiful.
I think I would create a disaster in my kitchen just trying to prune the watermelon and the other fruits into a decorative style like that
Haha, I think you would do great. It’s really not as hard as it looks.
This cake is perfection! The finished product is so pretty.
Aw, thank you Chelsea!
This looks SO good and refreshing!!
Thank you!
These all sound delicious but that watermelon “Cake” is P E R F E C T for the fourth of July, and all summer really! xo
Aw, thanks sweet Ashley. Your comment made my day xoxo
This looks so sweet and delicious! Especially when my eating habits haven been less than stellar, this is exactly what I could use right now. Especially now that all this fruit is in season!
Hi Juliette! Thank you for the encouragement!
The fruit cake looks simply delicious – a great idea for guests of birthdays. Just for myself at home, I’d be too lazy to stack it like you did – I’d just cut the fruits and eat them right away
Thanks for the kind words Viktoria! I hope you’re having a wonderful day today!