Watermelon Mojito Cupcakes made from doctored cake mix and a mint frosting will brighten up any picnic or summer party. Not only do these cupcakes look like watermelon, they taste like it too thanks to some fresh watermelon puree added to the batter. Mini chocolate chips give the effect of watermelon seeds and add a hint of chocolate flavor.
The Fourth of July is nearly here. Can you believe it ? This summer is absolutely flying by. It feels like Memorial Day was just yesterday. But there are still many weeks ahead for enjoying watermelon.
My favorite way to enjoy watermelon is by sprinkling just a little salt on a slice. Sometimes the simplest things in life really are the best.
But sometimes something a little more original and special is called for.
These Watermelon Mojito Cupcakes are a treat both kids and grown-ups will enjoy. To fully give the effect of a Mojito, the delicious summer cocktail with rum and mint, I added a little rum to the batter and rum extract to the frosting. But you could easily omit the rum from the batter or only add it to half of the batter.
Using a box of white cake mix, these cupcakes turn out super light, making them a great choice for an outdoor picnic. Because of the frosting, you will want to keep them in a cool place until serving. If left in the heat, they might turn into melted watermelon cupcakes and that wouldn’t be any fun. Wouldn’t be very pretty either.
Watermelon Mojito Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
Cupcake
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 1/4 cups watermelon puree made from putting about 2 1/2 cups diced watermelon in blender
- 3 egg whites
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon light rum
- 20-30 drops red food coloring
- 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon rum extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 20 drops green food coloring
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 18 muffin cups with cupcake liners.
- Using an electric mixer, beat cake mix, watermelon puree, egg whites, vegetable oil, and rum on low speed until mixed together. Increase to medium speed for 2 minutes. Turn back to low speed and add in red food coloring. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Divide batter between muffin cups and bake 16-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool.
- To make frosting, beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add extracts.
- With mixer on low, gradually add in powdered sugar. Turn mixer to high and beat until smooth.
- Turn back to low-speed and add green food coloring and milk. Turn to medium speed just long enough to get food coloring mixed in well.
- Frost cupcakes using an offset spatula or pastry bag.
Nutrition
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These are super cute. Love the inside of the cupcake, really looks like a watermelon 😀
They do look like miniature little watermelons, so adorable. This would be a great way to celebrate a BBQ gathering and a great dish to pass as you can make it in advance. Have a super weekend. BAM
These look good!
Eeek! These are sooo cute!
What festive, adorable cupcakes Christin! I would love to have these at my 4th of July party for sure. 😀 Hope you have a lovely weekend!
This is so creative, Christin, and I love the watermelon colors! This is such a fun summer cupcake!
These are darling!! What a fun flavor, I could eat all of them!
These are so pretty and adorable Christin! This is such a great idea and love the chocolate chips in here! Perfect cupcakes for summer – pinning 🙂 Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Watermelon + salt? I’ve never tried that, but I’m super intrigued now. As soon as I’m done with this post I’m trying it! Also, these cupcakes look adorable! Love how you used mini chocolate chips to mimic the seeds. That’s so original! xx
So you can bake with watermelon…who would have thought…?
ela h.
These cupcakes are gorgeous, Christin! Probably the best recipe I’ve seen in a while! Love the watermelon puree in the batter, too. Sounds perfect for the holiday weekend!
These cupcakes are just so so creative! I love anything watermelon pretty much all-year round so these cupcakes are definitely calling out to me! Love that gorgeous mint frosting and the pretty way you piped it! 🙂
The colors look just amazing! So fun!
What a great idea, Christin! These are too cute, I love the addition of the chocolate chips!
I never would have thought of adding pureed watermelon to a cupcake before and I just love watermelon. These cupcakes look so cute.
Yummm… I absolutely love mojito… and these watermelon mojito cupcakes look gorgeous… love the colours and the flavours.. Superb!!
Wow , these are totally creative – I’d love to try one! 🙂
Holy moly are these so freakin adorable! In love! Pinning!
These are adorable.
Now these have GOT to be the prettiest cupcakes I’ve seen in a long while – and the most creative. What a great idea to base a cupcake on a cocktail. I’m impressed!