Can I use real watermelon instead of watermelon drink mix?

While fresh watermelon would seem like a natural choice, it contains too much moisture and not enough concentrated flavor for baking. The drink mix provides the perfect punch of watermelon flavor without affecting the cupcake texture. If you're determined to use real watermelon, consider reducing watermelon juice into a concentrated syrup, but results may vary.

What if I can't find watermelon sprinkles?

Regular rainbow sprinkles work just fine! For a more on-theme look, you can find red and green jimmies or nonpareils to mimic watermelon colors. Or mix red sprinkles with mini chocolate chips for a "seeds and fruit" effect.

Can I make this recipe as a cake instead of cupcakes?

Absolutely! This batter will make one 9-inch round cake or a 9×13 sheet cake. For the round cake, bake for about 30-35 minutes, and for the sheet cake, about 25-30 minutes. You can still create a sprinkle surprise by cutting a trench in the center of the cake and filling it before frosting.

How do I make watermelon buttercream if I don't have a recipe?

Create watermelon buttercream by adding 1-2 packets of watermelon drink mix to your favorite vanilla buttercream recipe. Start with less and add more to taste the drink mix is concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Add a drop of green food coloring to a small portion of frosting if you want to pipe a green "rind" border.

Watermelon Cupcakes Recipe

Description

Delightful watermelon cupcakes bursting with fun and refreshing watermelon flavor, ideal for summer gatherings or special treats. These moist cupcakes, paired with watermelon buttercream and sprinkles, offer a visually stunning and irresistibly tasty dessert experience.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Watermelon Cupcakes:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
4 watermelon drink mix** single packs, (.44 oz total)

Assembly:

Watermelon sprinkles
2 batches watermelon buttercream
Watermelon candy

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place cupcake liners into a cupcake pan and lightly spray with baking spray. Set aside.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, and eggs. Whisk together until smooth and butter is well incorporated. Add in the milk and yogurt, whisking to combine.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Flavoring: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, whisking until combined. Add in the watermelon drink mix and whisk until the batter turns pink and the mix is fully incorporated.
Fill Cupcake Molds: Using an ice cream scoop (or a ¼ cup measuring cup), fill each cupcake mold ¾ full for consistent cupcake sizes. Smooth batter if necessary.
Bake Cupcakes: Place the prepared molds into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Let them cool for approximately 20 minutes or until room temperature.
Prepare Cupcake Centers: Using the large end of a piping tip, gently press into the center of the cupcakes about ¾ of the way through to remove cupcake centers. Preserve the removed piece for later use.
Fill Cupcake Centers: Fill the hollowed-out cupcake center with a small scoop (about ½ teaspoon) of watermelon sprinkles. Replace the removed cupcake piece to cover the filling.
Pipe Frosting: Using a piping bag fitted with a round tip and filled with watermelon buttercream, pipe an even layer of frosting. Start piping from the center outward in a circular motion, building layers up to the top, aiming for about three circular passes.
Decorate and Serve: Sprinkle additional watermelon sprinkles on the frosting for decoration and optionally top with a watermelon gummy candy. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

** Watermelon flavored jolly rancher drink mix or kool aid drink mix both work wonderfully.
Storage Tip: Cupcakes may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cupcake