Watermelon Cupcakes

Watermelon Cupcakes

Makes 12

• 1 box gluten free white cake mix (I used Kinnikinnick)
• 1 1/4 cups pureed watermelon, divided
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 egg whites
• Pink food coloring, optional
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Gummy watermelons, optional

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, beat white cake mix, 1 cup pureed watermelon, vegetable oil, and egg whites until well blended. Beat in a few drops of pink food coloring if you desire. Pour batter into prepared muffin pan, each about 3/4 full. Bake for 19-21 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting, in a mixing bowl beat softened butter and powdered sugar. Slowly add remaining 1/4 cup pureed watermelon. Add a few drops of pink food coloring if desired. Frost cooled cupcakes and top with a gummy watermelon.

Step-by-step tutorial:

Gather your ingredients. You will need a gluten free white cake mix (the Kinnikinnick worked perfectly), 4 eggs, vegetable oil, pink food coloring, and watermelon (can be frozen if you don't have fresh).

In a blender, scoop out watermelon and puree until completely smooth. You'll need about 1 1/4 cups.

Let's make the cake batter. In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, 4 egg whites, and 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Slowly add in 1 cup of watermelon puree. Add a few drops of pink food coloring if desired. Mix until smooth and pink!

Pour the batter into a muffin tin filled with paper liners. I fill them to about 3/4 full. I have a muffin scoop (like a large cookie scoop) that makes them each the same amount.

Bake for 19-21 minutes or until golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.

To make the frosting, you will need 1/2 cup softened butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 1/4 cup watermelon puree. (I have way more than that here..... I froze the extra in little cups for a fun cold treat on hot days. )

Beat the butter, powdered sugar, and puree until smooth. Add food coloring to get desired color. This frosting is so yummy!

Frost cooled cupcakes and top with a gummy watermelon! They are so cute and summery!

I love the color of the frosting too.

You're in for a treat when you take that first bite. It's not too strongly watermelon, but definitely hints at it and is sweet and scrumptious!

I added a few mini chocolate chips to a few to see if they would look like "watermelon seeds". I wasn't super impressed with how they looked, and I liked the taste of the cupcakes without the chocolate chips better (I know..... gasp! ). You can experiment and decide. Next time I think I'll try some black sprinkles or something. Either way, enjoy this fun summer dessert!

Recipe Source: Recipe adapted from a recipe at Mix and Match Mama