Watermelon cake: the essential no‑bake dessert for sweltering summers

Summer is in full swing! The sun is getting stronger, and temperatures are reaching their peak. On such days, we dream of something light, cool, and delicious that will bring us the much-desired relief. And that's when watermelon cake comes to the rescue — the perfect dessert for hot weather!

When the sun is blazing, and thermometers show high temperatures, we dream of light and refreshing desserts. Watermelon cake is the ideal answer to these cravings. It doesn't require baking and is quick and easy to make. Delicate, creamy layers combined with juicy pieces of watermelon will make it your favourite dessert on hot days. Discover this unique watermelon cake recipe that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

• half of a small watermelon,
• about 480 millilitres of double cream,
• about 240 millilitres of mascarpone cheese,
• 3 tablespoons icing sugar (or more if you prefer sweeter desserts),
• 2 watermelon-flavoured jellies,
• 3 teaspoons gelatine,
• about 60 millilitres water,
• tea biscuits, ladyfingers, or shortbread biscuits for the dessert base.

Preparation:

1. Line a 23-centimetre by 23-centimetre square baking tin with parchment paper. At the bottom, layer tea biscuits, ladyfingers, or shortbread biscuits.
2. Remove the seeds from the watermelon and cut it into cubes.
3. Whip the chilled double cream with icing sugar. While whipping, gradually add the mascarpone cheese until you get a smooth and uniform mixture.
4. Dissolve the gelatine in hot water and set aside to cool. When it thickens slightly, add 2–3 tablespoons of the whipped cream and cheese mixture to temper it, then mix quickly. Add the tempered gelatine to the rest of the mixture and combine thoroughly.
5. Spread the cream over the biscuit base. Place the entire dish in the refrigerator to let the mixture set and cool.
6. Prepare the watermelon jellies according to the package instructions, dissolving them in about 720 millilitres. When the jelly cools and thickens slightly, pour it over the watermelon pieces arranged on the cream mixture. Place the dessert back in the refrigerator to set it and cool it completely.

This dessert will satisfy every sweet lover without being too heavy on the stomach. Simple ingredients, no baking, and quick preparation make it ideal for summer days. Try this recipe and see how easy creating something delicious and refreshing for hot days is.