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Watermelon Surprise Inside Layer Cake

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A delightful summer dessert featuring moist vanilla layers with a creamy watermelon-flavored gelatin surprise center, topped with a citrus cream cheese frosting. Perfect for summer parties and backyard BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (10 grams) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt
  • ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 package (3 ounces or 85 grams) watermelon-flavored gelatin mix
  • 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
  • ½ cup (120 ml) cold water
  • 1 cup (240 ml) lightly sweetened whipped cream (heavy cream recommended)
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  8. Dissolve watermelon gelatin mix in boiling water, stir until fully dissolved. Add cold water and refrigerate until partially set but still pourable (about 30 minutes). Fold in lightly sweetened whipped cream to create watermelon filling.
  9. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread watermelon mousse filling evenly over the top. Place second cake layer on top.
  10. Beat cream cheese and softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then beat in lemon juice and vanilla extract until smooth.
  11. Frost entire cake with frosting using an offset spatula. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Bring eggs, butter, and milk to room temperature before mixing. Do not overmix batter to keep cake light and fluffy. Gelatin must be partially set but still spreadable before folding in whipped cream. Chill cake overnight for best flavor and easier slicing. If frosting is too thick, add milk teaspoon by teaspoon; if too thin, add more powdered sugar. Use parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

Keywords: watermelon cake, summer dessert, layered cake, vanilla cake, gelatin filling, cream cheese frosting, summer party dessert

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/watermelon-surprise-inside-layer-cake-recipe-5-easy-steps-to-perfect-summer-dessert/