Summer is here and all I seem to want to eat is fruit!
We have a small group of friends who gather once a month at each other’s homes for a meal and celebrate birthdays that fall in that month. Lately, everyone seems to be trying to eat healthy, so this month’s birthday girl asked that I not bake a cake, even though she loves my baking. So, I decided to surprise her with a watermelon cake!
I had seen this idea on one of the cooking competitions Tim and I like to watch. The timed assignment for this particular contest was to make an attractive edible display using only fresh produce. One of the contestants, who happened to be Lebanese, created a beautiful cake-like structure using only fresh fruit. I just had to try it myself and my friend’s birthday was the perfect opportuinity.
Slice an oblong large watermelon down the middle in the shape of discs. I sliced three in ascending sizes. I secured all three layers with a thin wooden shish kabob skewer. I always have a pack on hand! I washed thoroughly grapes, cherries, strawberries, blue berries, and apricots. I then snipped the grapes into small clusters and form a cascade of fruit from the top layer to the bottom layer of watermelon using toothpicks to secure in place. I started with the grapes to imitate the initial waterfall effect then arranged the other fruit to my liking.
It is best served the same day, but you can do the prep work a few days ahead and assemble the day of your gathering. Enjoy!
What fruit display can you create?
watermelon
grapes and other fresh fruit in season
skewer and wooden toothpicks
large platter
sharp carving knife