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Watermelon cupcakes on a white scalloped cake stand

Watermelon Cupcakes

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Ingredients
  

For the Cupcake

  • 1 box of white cake mix
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • ½ package of watermelon-flavored gelatin we found ours at Kroger
  • Green food coloring
  • Green cupcake liners Walmart and Amazon have great options!

For the Frosting

  • 2 sticks salted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • ½ package of watermelon-flavored gelatin
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons half-and-half or whole milk
  • Dark pink and/or red food coloring
  • 1 cup white sanding sugar divided
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 large piping bag with a large round frosting tip

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a standard muffin tin with green cupcake liners. This will give the cupcakes that perfect watermelon rind look!
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, egg whites, and water. Using a hand or stand mixer, mix on medium speed until everything is well combined.
  • Add in the watermelon gelatin and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended. Then, slowly add in green food coloring, a little at a time, until you get a nice watermelon-rind green.
  • Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. If you try to frost warm cupcakes, the frosting will melt right off!
  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
  • Mix in the vanilla extract, remaining watermelon gelatin, and ¼ cup of white sanding sugar.
  • Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. In between each cup, add a little half-and-half or milk to keep the frosting smooth and creamy.
  • Mix in dark pink food coloring. If you want a deeper watermelon color, add a little red food coloring too.
  • Prepare your piping bag with a large round frosting tip. Fill the bag with your watermelon-colored frosting.
  • Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
  • Sprinkle each cupcake with a bit of the remaining white sanding sugar to give it a sparkly, watermelon-like appearance.
  • Top each cupcake with mini chocolate chips to resemble watermelon seeds. Adorable and delicious!