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Want to know the best way to tell if the treats you make are a hit or a flop? Don’t watch as people eat them… listen. Stand off in the distance and just listen. You know you’ve got a winning recipe if after the first bites you hear a loud exclamation of “Oh my God!”.
That’s the response you can expect to these watermelon cupcakes. Or at least, that’s the response I got, which makes me confident enough to almost guarantee that you will love these cupcakes!
BONUS! For more fun treats that would be a perfect addition to any summer picnic checkout the Summer Picnic Party after the Watermelon Cupcakes recipe. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for your chance to win one of six fabulous prizes!
This cupcake recipe is perfect for those with a serious sweet tooth. The watermelon frosting especially is not lacking in the sugar department. Described as tasting like watermelon Jolly Ranchers, the flavor is intense and consumption of even just one cupcake will almost surely result in a sugar high.
Inspiration for these watermelon cupcakes came from a stunning watermelon flavored cake by the talented Robin of Bird On A Cake. I wasn’t able to find the watermelon Jell-O she used in her recipe for the cake and frosting so I changed things up just a bit.
Watermelon Cupcakes
by sugarkissed.net (adapted from Watermelon Flavored Cake by Bird On A Cake)
Ingredients
1 16.5 oz. box of white cake mix
1 0.15 oz. packet of watermelon Kool-Aid
1/2 cup of watermelon juice (from pureed fresh watermelon)
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 teaspoon of all-purpose flour
Super Red food coloring
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a cupcake pan with paper liners and set aside.
Mix together cake mix and Kool-Aid powder.
Add in the water and oil and combine.
Beat the eggs into the mixture.
Cut a watermelon up into chunks, removing the seeds. Puree the watermelon chunks to create the needed amount of watermelon juice. Mix the watermelon juice into the bowl.
Add a few drops of Super Red food coloring and mix to create a dark pink color.
In a Ziploc bag, shake the chocolate chips and flour until the chips are evenly coated with flour.
Pour the chips into the bowl and fold into the mixture until spread evenly throughout.
Pour the mixture into cupcake liners, filling 3/4 of the liner.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time.
Test cupcakes for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. Remove the cupcakes from the oven when the toothpick comes out clean.
Let cupcake pan sit on a cooling rack for about 20 minutes. Then, remove the cupcakes from the pan and place them on the rack until completely cooled.
I must confess to you that I am new to cream cheese frosting. Most of my experience is with royal icing on sugar cookies. If you’re familiar with royal icing, you know it is pretty much designed to hold its shape. Cream cheese frosting, not so much.
This watermelon cream cheese frosting recipe will blow your taste buds away but don’t plan on piping any intricate designs with it. I added extra powdered sugar to my recipe and chilled it in the fridge periodically as I worked with it to keep it as stiff as possible. Be careful not to over mix your frosting as you add food coloring to it, as I think this resulted in runnier frosting for me.
Watermelon Cream Cheese Frosting
by sugarkissed.net (adapted from Watermelon Flavored Cake by Bird On A Cake)
Ingredients
8 oz. of softened cream cheese
1/2 cup of room temperature unsalted butter
9 cups of confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons of watermelon juice (from pureed fresh watermelon)
2 teaspoons of watermelon Kool-Aid
Super Red food coloring
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Watermelon fruit jell slices (one per cupcake)
Directions
Combine cream cheese and butter together in a bowl.
Cut a watermelon up into chunks, removing the seeds. Puree the watermelon chunks to create the needed amount of watermelon juice. Mix the watermelon juice into the bowl.
Add the Kool-Aid to the bowl.
Add the powdered sugar a little bit at a time, beating the mixture until it has a smooth texture.
Add a few drops of Super Red food coloring and mix to create a dark pink color.
Chill frosting in the fridge for a few minutes to stiffen if desired.
Pipe frosting onto cupcakes using a Ziploc bag or decorating bag and tip.
Sprinkle chocolate chips onto frosting and add top off with a watermelon fruit jell slice.
The right display can really take these watermelon cupcakes over the top! Start by choosing cupcake wrappers that compliment your treats.
Create an impressive presentation with a simple cupcake stand.
If your cupcakes are a gift, present them in a creative cupcake box.
These watermelon cupcakes would be perfect for a picnic! A collapsible cupcake carrier makes transportation a breeze.
For more fun treats that would be a perfect addition to any summer picnic checkout the recipes in the Summer Picnic Party below. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
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GIVEAWAY SPONSORS
Thank you to all the amazing Giveaway Sponsors. Be sure to check out their websites below.
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To enter giveaway please use the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway will run from July 20th, 2013 till July 27th, 2013. 6 Winners will be picked using the Rafflecopter widget. Prizes will be picked in the order of sponsors you see above, starting with The Marshmallow Studio and ending with King Arthur Flour. Winners will receive one email from . Winners will have 48 hours to respond. New winner(s) will be picked if we don’t hear from you. Thank you and good luck.
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I love watermelon, but watermelon flavored treats always taste…off to me? But, I love that this one actually has watermelon juice – I bet it is delicious!
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma’s Cookie recently posted..Summer Picnic Party: Ant Attack Cupcakes (and a Giveaway!)
These cupcakes taste a lot like watermelon Jolly Ranchers, Jennifer. If you like those, you’ll live ‘em. If not, better stick to vanilla cupcakes dyed pink.
I am a huge watermelon fan. Just had some for lunch, as a matter of fact. I’m pretty sure I’d be smiling pretty big after after tasting one of these. Plus they are darn cute. Thanks for joining in on the picnic fun.
Beth @ Hungry Happenings recently posted..Ketchup and Mustard Push-Up Pops for a Summer Picnic Party. Plus a great giveaway with 6 winners.
Not only would you be smiling big, but you’d be bouncing off the walls, Beth! A definite sugar high comes with each one of these watermelon cupcakes!
Looks like WATERMELON heaven! What cute cupcakes
Very fun and creative!
Diane {Created by Diane} recently posted..Luau Pasta Salad “Summer Picnic Party”
Thanks, Diane!
I LOVE watermelon, so I know these would be a HIT with me! Everything about them is so perfectly coordinated, with the green striped wrappers and the candy topping:) So cute!
Sue {Munchkin Munchies} recently posted..Checkerboard Tablecloth Sugar Cookies for Summer Picnic Party
Thanks, Sue! By the way, I’m in love with your checkerboard tablecloth sugar cookies!
Your watermelon cupcakes are so cute – the perfect red and I don’t know how you got them baked without browning! Plus the way they are packaged – Too Cute!
Thank you!
These caught my eye first time I saw them, they are so summery, and bright. Perfect for the picnic. I would love a bite of your watermelon cupcake, they sound delicious.
I like the way you presented these in the wrappers with a watermelon on the top. Perfect match. Thank you for the packaging ideas!
Thanks, Hani! Thinking about these sweet cupcakes makes me lick my lips!
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These are adorable! Thanks for sharing with us this week at Monday Funday!
Take care,
Trish
Trish @ Uncommon Designs recently posted..Monday Funday Link Party {27}
Thanks for stopping by to check out my watermelon cupcakes, Trish!
Very cute cupcakes, fun for summer! Found on Sugar & Slice
If you are interested in linking them at our SUPER SUNDAY Link Party it is live through Tuesday evening, we’d love to see you come & visit.
Lori
Who Needs A Cape? (Not Your Average Super Moms!)
Lori Who Needs A Cape? recently posted..Super Sunday Link Party #7
Thanks for stopping by to check out my Watermelon Cupcakes, Lori! And thanks for the invite. I’ll check it out.
OMG!!! YUM! I know that’s what I would say if I had one! So fun for Summer!
Michelle recently posted..Orange Dream Cheesecake
Thanks for stopping by to check out my Watermelon Cupcakes, Michelle!
SO yummy!
I love your cupcakes Janine! Your photography is so captivating!
Melissa recently posted..Summer Picnic Party Lemon Cookie Cake
Thanks so much, Melissa! Still learning… especially when it comes to lighting!
Janine, these are absolutely darling! I could eat watermelon every single day during the summer and can’t wait to try it in cupcake form (can’t go wrong with that, right?). PS: I found you through the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
Amy | Club Narwhal recently posted..THAI CRUNCH SALAD WITH PEANUT DRESSING
I totally agree, Amy! I’m willing to try anything in cupcake form!
Oh I LOVE these cupcakes! So cute for a picnic!
Michelle | Creative Food recently posted..Summer Picnic Party
Thanks, Michelle!
Love these cupcakes! Cute as can be. Thanks for sharing them on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, Janine!
Sinea Pies recently posted..Chocolate Cupcakes on Parade
Thanks for stopping by to check out my watermelon cupcakes, Sinea!
Oh my goshh… These cupcakes are ridiculously cute! I especially love the extra watermelon toppers. I’d be thrilled if you’d come on over to Pink Recipe Box and link up at Creative Wednesdays: http://pinkrecipebox.com/creative-wednesdays-with-pink-recipe-box-2/
Nicky @ Pink Recipe Box recently posted..Sky-High Breakfast Frittata
Thanks for the invite, Nicky! I’ll stop by.
I would love to make these watermelon cupcakes, they look so summery!
I hope you get the chance to give the watermelon cupcakes a try, Lisa!
These are so cute!! Found you over at Mandatory Mooch Tasty Thursdays . I am co-hosting Tasty Tuesdays this week and would love for you to link up this recipe. I think our readers would love them!
Lori
Lori’s Culinary Creations
Lori @Lori’s Culinary Creations recently posted..Tasty Tuesdays Link Party #20 – Let’s Party!!!
Thanks for the invite, Lori!
Oh my gosh Janine! These have got to be THE cutest cupcakes I have ever seen!! They are absolutely perfect for summertime!
My readers would love to see this recipe! I’d love it if you linked this up over at Living Well Spending Less for Thrifty Thursday this week! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/
Thanks for the invite, Ruth! I’ll check it out.
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Love this post and recipe! So creative! And I love that you can actually use watermelon flavoring to really make this treat taste exactly like watermelon.
I hope you get the chance to give these watermelon cupcakes a try, LeSha. If you love watermelon you will love them!
I was wondering how you got the watermelon flavor, kool-aid is genius!
Thanks so much for sharing this at “The Saturday Spotlight party”!
Have a great weekend!
April
April @ Angel’s Homestead recently posted..Saturday Spotlight #27
Thanks for stopping by to check out my Watermelon Cupcakes!
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These are adorable! And love the little cupcake holder. What a fun summer treat! Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty.
Kathy Penney @ Sparkles And A Stove recently posted..8 Healthy Snack Foods For Back to School from Healthline
Thanks for stopping by to am check out my watermelon cupcakes, Kathy!
These cupcakes are absolutely adorable. Thank you for linking them up to Life Inspired Link Party. I’m featuring them this week!
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Thanks, Megan!
Pingback: Janine's Watermelon Cupcakes
I’ve featured this adorable cupcakes on my blog, hoping that you don’t mind, but if you do, please contact me and I’ll remove it. All the best.
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