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Watermelon Ice Cream Cake

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on April 8, 2015

Time

50 minutes, plus 6½ hours freezing

Yield

Serves 14-16

Watermelon Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients

2 (9-inch) white cake rounds (see note)2 ½ cups raspberry sorbet 2 ounces (57 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 3 tablespoons lime juice (2 limes)½ teaspoon vanilla extract ⅛ teaspoon salt 2 cups (8 ounces/227 grams) confectioners' sugar 12 drops green food coloring

Before You Begin

We recommend using our Single (9-Inch) White Cake Layer recipe in this recipe.

Instructions

    for the cake

  1. Line 6-cup-capacity mixing bowl with plastic wrap. Using serrated knife, cut off domed top of cake so that remaining cake measures 3/4 inch thick (reserve top for another use). Cut remaining cake into 8 wedges and line bowl with wedges, arranging as closely as possible to achieve snug fit. Scoop raspberry sorbet into separate bowl and mash with wooden spoon until softened; gently fold in chopped chocolate. Fill cake-lined bowl with sorbet mixture and smooth top. Cover surface with plastic wrap and freeze until very firm, about 6 hours.
  2. for the frosting

  3. Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip butter, lime juice, vanilla, and salt on medium-low speed until combined. Slowly add sugar and continue to whip until smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add 6 drops food coloring and mix until combined. Transfer 1/2 cup frosting to small bowl, add 6 more drops food coloring, and whisk until combined.
  4. to finish

  5. Remove plastic from cake and turn out onto chilled plate or cake pedestal; remove remaining plastic wrap. Cover cake with even layer of light green frosting. Spread 8 vertical stripes of dark green frosting evenly around cake. Freeze until frosting is firm, at least 30 minutes. Serve.
Watermelon Ice Cream Cake

Watermelon Ice Cream Cake

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

50 minutes, plus 6½ hours freezing

Yield

Serves 14-16

Ingredients

2 (9-inch) white cake rounds (see note)
2 ½ cups raspberry sorbet
2 ounces (57 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons lime juice (2 limes)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 cups (8 ounces/227 grams) confectioners' sugar
12 drops green food coloring

Ingredients

2 (9-inch) white cake rounds (see note)
2 ½ cups raspberry sorbet
2 ounces (57 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons lime juice (2 limes)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 cups (8 ounces/227 grams) confectioners' sugar
12 drops green food coloring

Ingredients

2 (9-inch) white cake rounds (see note)
2 ½ cups raspberry sorbet
2 ounces (57 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons lime juice (2 limes)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 cups (8 ounces/227 grams) confectioners' sugar
12 drops green food coloring

Why This Recipe Works

This stunning cake is made from a tender white cake, pressed into a bowl and filled with a raspberry sorbet mixture studded with chocolate (to represent the watermelon seeds.) The cake is unmolded and topped with a green-hued buttercream frosting.

Before You Begin

We recommend using our Single (9-Inch) White Cake Layer recipe in this recipe.

Instructions

    for the cake

  1. Line 6-cup-capacity mixing bowl with plastic wrap. Using serrated knife, cut off domed top of cake so that remaining cake measures 3/4 inch thick (reserve top for another use). Cut remaining cake into 8 wedges and line bowl with wedges, arranging as closely as possible to achieve snug fit. Scoop raspberry sorbet into separate bowl and mash with wooden spoon until softened; gently fold in chopped chocolate. Fill cake-lined bowl with sorbet mixture and smooth top. Cover surface with plastic wrap and freeze until very firm, about 6 hours.
  2. for the frosting

  3. Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip butter, lime juice, vanilla, and salt on medium-low speed until combined. Slowly add sugar and continue to whip until smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add 6 drops food coloring and mix until combined. Transfer 1/2 cup frosting to small bowl, add 6 more drops food coloring, and whisk until combined.
  4. to finish

  5. Remove plastic from cake and turn out onto chilled plate or cake pedestal; remove remaining plastic wrap. Cover cake with even layer of light green frosting. Spread 8 vertical stripes of dark green frosting evenly around cake. Freeze until frosting is firm, at least 30 minutes. Serve.

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