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    Home » Cake » Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake

    Published: May 15, 2013 · Modified: Jun 5, 2020 by Lisa Johnson

    Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

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    Your guests are going to love this Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake!! cookingwithcurls.com

    Tequila! That seemed like such a simple ingredient when the competition was announced, but them I could not decide what to make. I wanted something unique, and over the top, and then I started over thinking it! My first choice was a Frozen Watermelon Margarita, one of my favorites!

    Your guests are going to love this Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake!! cookingwithcurls.com

    Would that be too ordinary? It didn't sound exotic enough. So I started dreaming up some kind of chocolate tequila cheesecake. But I could not seem to wrap my head around the idea of tequila and cheesecake...together. Then what would I call it? I didn't want a long descriptive name, but there was no cocktail that I could come up with that would work as a cheese cake. See what I mean about over thinking it!

    So two days before the contest begins, I finally went back to my original idea.....Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake! I even made Watermelon Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo, so it was meant to be!

    Grab yourself a nice big slice of this delicious Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake! cookingwithcurls.com

    Last year I had a Cinco de Mayo party and made bundt shots for dessert. I made watermelon margarita, pina colada, and regular margarita, the colors of the Mexican flag, and placed them each in a giant margarita glass. This was before I even knew what a food blog was, so there are no pictures 🙁   These babies are addictive! They are like donut holes...for adults! Each time someone would walk across the room, they would grab another one. So decision made, my entry in the Spiked! Recipe Challenge will be Watermelon Margarita Bundt Shots. But what if people don't have four mini/teacake bundt pans to make them? Well then, I shall give you options!

    How to  make Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake:

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cake pan with baking spray, set aside.

    Beat eggs, oil, and sugar together with a mixer.

    Add the watermelon pucker, orange liqueur, and tequila, mix to combine.

    Add the dry ingredients and beat until smooth, scraping the sides occasionally.

    Add raspberry/pink gel food coloring, about 1/8th teaspoon, and mix until evenly colored.

    Pour batter into prepared pan(s), cupcake liners. Do not fill more than 3/4's full.

    • Bake mini/teacake bundts for 12 minutes
    • Original Bundt for 47 - 55 minutes
    • Cupcakes for 17 - 19 minutes

    Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes.

    To make the Glaze:

    While cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. Place powdered sugar in a bowl.

    Add the alcohol.

    Whisk to combine until smooth.

    For "Bundt Shots" - dip each bundt into glaze and place on a wire rack sitting on a baking sheet.

    For Bundt Cake - place cake on a wire rack over a large plate and pour glaze over cake with a large spoon.

    Move cake to a clean plate, and reuse glaze from first plate.

    Allow cakes to cool completely before serving.

    For the cupcakes - allow to cool completely before frosting.

    Pipe a ring of frosting around edge of cupcake. {Buttercream Frosting recipe - see note below}

    Sprinkle ring with clear sugar crystals.

    Fill center with additional frosting.

    Trim a straw to fit in the cupcake.

    How to make Watermelon Margarita Bundt Shots:

    Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cakes Bundt Shot Collage cookingwithcurls.com

    Aren't they so cute?

    How fun are these Bundt Shots Your guests will love these Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cakes at your next party!! cookingwithcurls.com

    How to make a Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Bundt Cake:

    Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Bundt Cake Collage cookingwithcurls.com

    How to make Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cupcakes:

    Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cupcakes Collage cookingwithcurls.com

    The cupcakes are topped with Watermelon Margarita Buttercream and "rimmed" with coarse sugar....

    Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cakes topped with watermelon margarita buttercream!! cookingwithcurls.com

    These are all made with the same recipe, I just used different pans and cooking times. I should have added color to the glaze on the big bundt,  I was not expecting it to turn out white! I ran out of daylight, so maybe tomorrow I will cut into the cake and sneak in a photo of the inside 🙂  The reason why I did not color the glaze for the bundt shots, is because it would have turned my fingers pink...for days!

    What is Watermelon Pucker?

    Watermelon Pucker is a sweet & sour watermelon schnapps. If you can only find watermelon schnapps, just mix it half and half with lime juice.

    Now for that cool cake pan, it is a retired Nordic Ware Chrysanthemum pan...sorry! Any 10 - 12 cup bundt pan will work.

    Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake glazed and sprinkled with pink sugar! cookingwithcurls.com

    Notes:

    • Glaze- Bundt Shots will take twice as much glaze as a regular bundt cake. Double or triple the recipe for full coverage.
    • For the Frosting- I use my regular buttercream recipe, but substitute 2 teaspoons watermelon pucker, 1 teaspoon tequila, and 1/2 teaspoon orange liqueur for the flavorings. Color with the same gel coloring that is used for the cake.
    • A bundt cake will serve 12 - 16 depending on the size of your slices.
    • This recipe will make:
      1 full sized bundt cake OR
      4 pans of mini/teacake bundts OR
      24 cupcakes

    Tools used to create this recipe: contains affiliate links

    Noric Ware Blosson Bundt Pan - mine are Nordic Ware but Amazon does not seem to have them.

    Noric Ware Blosson Bundt Pan

    Wire Cooling Racks

    Round Wire Cooling Rack for large Bundt

    The taste of these cakes kind of reminds me of a watermelon Jolly Rancher. 🙂

    Enjoy!!

    Your guests are going to love this Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake!! cookingwithcurls.com

    Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake

    Your guests are going to love this Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Cake!! It is basically a Watermelon Margarita baked into a Cake!!
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: cake, cocktail, tequila, watermelon, margarita, cinco de mayo, party, recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 24 Servings
    Calories: 226kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    Ingredients

    For the Cake

    • ½ cup sunflower oil
    • 4 large eggs at room temperature
    • 1 ¼ cups super fine sugar
    • ⅔ cups watermelon pucker
    • ½ cup high-quality silver tequila
    • 2 Tablespoons orange liqueuer cointreau, tripple sec
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ¼ cup non-fat dry milk powder
    • 3.4 ounce instant vanilla pudding mix one package
    • 2 ¾ cups cake flour I used Queen Guinevere Cake Flour

    For the Glaze

    • 1 cup powdered sugar see note about Bundt Shots
    • 1 ½ Tablespoons watermelon pucker
    • 1 ½ Tablespoons high-quality clear tequila
    • ½ Tablespoon orange liqueuer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cake pan with baking spray, set aside.
    • Beat eggs, oil, and sugar together with a mixer.
    • Add the watermelon pucker, orange liqueur, and tequila, mix to combine.
    • Add the dry ingredients and beat until smooth, scraping the sides occasionally.
    • Add raspberry/pink gel food coloring, about 1/8th teaspoon, and mix until evenly colored.
    • Pour batter into prepared pan(s), cupcake liners. Do not fill more than 3/4s full.
    • Bake mini/teacake bundts for 12 minutes. Original Bundt for 47 - 55 minutes. Cupcakes for 17 - 19 minutes.
    • Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes.
    • While cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. Place powdered sugar in a bowl.
    • Add the alcohol.
    • Whisk to combine until smooth.
    • For "Bundt Shots", dip each bundt into glaze and place on a wire rack sitting on a baking sheet.
    • For Bundt, place cake on a wire rack over a large plate and pour glaze over cake with a large spoon.
    • Move cake to a clean plate, and reuse glaze from first plate.
    • Allow cakes to cool completely before serving.
    • For cupcakes, allow to cool completely before frosting.
    • Pipe a ring of frosting around edge of cupcake.
    • Sprinkle ring with clear sugar crystals.
    • Fill center with additional frosting.
    • Trim a straw to fit in the cupcake.

    Notes

    • Glaze- Bundt Shots will take twice as much glaze as a regular bundt cake. Double or triple the recipe for full coverage.
    • For the Frosting- I use my regular Buttercream Frosting recipe, but substitute 2 teaspoons watermelon pucker, 1 teaspoon tequila, and 1/2 teaspoon orange liqueur for the flavorings. Color with the same gel coloring that is used for the cake.
    • A bundt cake will serve 12 - 16 depending on the size of your slices.
    • This recipe will make:
    • 1 full sized bundt cake OR
    • 4 pans of mini/teacake bundts OR
    • 24 cupcakes

    Nutrition

    Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 86mg | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.3mg

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

      May 15, 2013 at 9:59 am

      I absolutely love the way you gave so many ideas for this Lisa! I have that same mini cake pan and have yet to use it. This is the best recipe to try it out! They all unmolded so well. And ANYTHING with booze in my kitchen is very, very welcome.

      Reply
    2. Ashley @ Your Girl for all Seasonings says

      May 15, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Lisa, I'm stopping by from the Spiked! linkup. These look amazing and addictive. They are definitely something I'll have to save for later and I am going to be on the lookout for a teacake pan. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Cindy Eikenberg says

      May 15, 2013 at 4:55 pm

      Lisa!!! Wow - you outdid yourself! These all look divine and delicious...pinning!!

      Reply
    4. Julie @ This Gal Cooks says

      May 15, 2013 at 6:12 pm

      Lisa! These are so freaking cute! I love the little bundts. And I love all of the other recipes! Thanks for joining the Spiked! Challenge this month!

      Reply
    5. Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says

      May 15, 2013 at 6:19 pm

      Wow - so cute looking and I'm sure very addictive! Great job!

      Reply
    6. Angela Rando says

      May 15, 2013 at 6:46 pm

      All three variations are so pretty, and the recipe sounds delicious!! I definitely want to give this one a try! On a side note, I have that same rainbow placemat. : )

      Reply
    7. Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says

      May 16, 2013 at 6:29 pm

      OMG!!! Lisa these all look amazing... but I must say that the watermellon margarita looks super refreshing. You are so stinking creative with your recipes and take GREAT photos... I could eat the screen right now. YUM!

      Reply
    8. Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says

      May 16, 2013 at 8:21 pm

      This is so creative!! You really went for it with the 3 different versions. You know I love the cupcakes!! So pretty!

      Reply
    9. Andi (The Weary Chef) says

      May 16, 2013 at 11:11 pm

      Wow, Lisa! You put so much work into this post!! Those cake shooters are adorable! Pinning to try one version of these this summer!

      Reply
    10. Danni@SiloHillFarm says

      May 17, 2013 at 4:41 am

      Oh so awesome! Now I want a watermelon margarita...and it's not even 6a.m.!! I love the rimmer of sugar on the cupcakes! Too cute! Did you know that UV just came out with a "salted watermelon" flavor?

      Reply
    11. Sandra says

      May 17, 2013 at 11:17 am

      I love your three variations and those bundt shots are adorable!!

      Reply
    12. Judy @ Season of Sweets says

      May 20, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Stopping by from Pint Sized Baker party. How fun! I want to make them all 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
    13. Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life says

      May 22, 2013 at 9:24 am

      Great ideas, YUM!
      We would love it if you would link up at our linky party:
      Live every Wednesday to Sunday. Hosted by:
      We hope to see you there!

      Reply
    14. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

      May 22, 2013 at 9:49 am

      I *love* that you gave options 🙂 Love this! Pinning 🙂

      Reply
      • Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

        September 08, 2014 at 11:16 pm

        Thanks for reminding me that I need to get my butt in gear and try this!! 😀

        Reply
        • Lisa Johnson says

          September 09, 2014 at 7:40 pm

          You're welcome. 😉 Watch out, they're addictive!!

          Reply
    15. Rebecca says

      May 22, 2013 at 1:24 pm

      Lisa! These look divine! Definitely making these for my next girls night!

      Reply
    16. Meg says

      May 22, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      You had me at watermelon. I LOVE watermelon I ate an entire personal-sized watermelon once and learned the hard way that is a bad idea... This looks like a much safer and fancier alternative!

      Reply
    17. Kendra says

      May 22, 2013 at 8:39 pm

      Lisa, all of them look so amazing! I especially love the cake. I found you at the I Gotta Create party and I'm definitely pinning it!

      Reply
    18. Millie says

      May 23, 2013 at 8:59 am

      These look so delicious! So summery! I must try.

      Reply
    19. Marlene @Nosh My Way says

      May 23, 2013 at 8:02 pm

      Lisa: I want one of every kind you have on here. OH EM GEE! I am speechless and I could marry you right now.

      Reply
    20. Marlene @Nosh My Way says

      May 24, 2013 at 5:01 pm

      OMG. I completely forgot to mention that i have chosen your recipe as my host favorite from FFF and it will appear on the Monday edition of the Daily Dish Magazine. Congrats!.

      Reply
    21. Karyn - Pint Sized Baker says

      May 24, 2013 at 7:44 pm

      I love these! I pinned ALL of the recipes! Thanks so much for sharing at Two Cup Tuesday on Pint Sized Baker.

      Reply
    22. Mums Take Five says

      May 25, 2013 at 3:45 am

      Wow they look amazing! Brilliant idea. found you via Natasha in Oz

      Reply
    23. Joanne/Winelady Cooks says

      May 25, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      I don't know which version of this recipe I should make. The mini bundt cakes are adorable but I do love the cupcakes. The kids would love those. Thanks so much for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday Anything Goes.

      One of the FFF co-hosts,
      Joanne

      Reply
    24. Linda@With A Blast says

      May 27, 2013 at 2:30 am

      The little bundt shots are definitely my favorite {in looks!} but I love the overall recipe! Think I have seen the Watermelon Pucker at one of our larger liqueur store :/ Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party and I am now sharing this at Google+ !

      Reply
    25. Amanda says

      May 27, 2013 at 7:13 am

      Umm, yum! I'm not the biggest watermelon person, so I think I'd switch it out for strawberries - my fave type of margarita!

      Thanks so much for linking up at Martha Mondays last week! I hope you come back by this week as well : )

      Amanda

      Reply
    26. Carole says

      May 30, 2013 at 8:31 pm

      Lisa, this one will take some beating. Fantastic. Thanks for joining in the cake extravaganza. Cheers

      Reply
    27. Anne says

      June 02, 2013 at 12:35 pm

      What an awesome collection! I can't wait to try some of these out. I always love me some booze in my cake!
      Anne

      Reply
    28. Anyonita says

      June 04, 2013 at 3:46 am

      I've just posted my Tasty Tuesdays link party on my blog & wanted to tell you that this recipe has been featured & that I’m now following you socially! Don’t forget to grab our features button and link up again!

      Reply
    29. Sarah @ The Chef Next Door says

      July 19, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      The watermelon margarita cupcakes look amazing!! Thanks for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday. I've selected your cupcakes as my hostess pick and they will be featured next week!

      Reply
    30. Joanne/WineLady Cooks says

      July 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm

      Your recipes look so delicious and the photos are outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday. I know everyone will enjoy your recipes, they are all winners.

      Looking forward to seeing you soon,
      Joanne

      Reply
    31. Diane Roark says

      February 21, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      So many great ideas! I love the cute cupcakes. I pinned them. Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up with Saturday Dishes Cakes & Party ideas.
      Blessings,
      Diane Roark
      recipesforourdailybread.com

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        February 21, 2014 at 10:55 pm

        Thank you Diane, sometimes I just can't decide what I want to make! Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂

        Reply
    32. Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says

      February 26, 2014 at 7:36 pm

      All three options turned out so beautiful looking! I shared the bundt cake on our facebook page a few days ago, and I'm pinning all 3 posts you shared at Saturday Dishes!
      Thanks for sharing with us- hope to see you back this weekend!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        February 27, 2014 at 12:35 am

        Thank you so much Jamie! 🙂

        Reply
    33. Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says

      September 08, 2014 at 10:48 am

      Lisa!!! Are you kidding me with this deliciousness??? I can't even decide which I'd try first.....but I can see myself making those cupcakes for EVERY celebration! SO fun and yummy!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lisa - Welcome to my kitchen! I have a passion for good food and love sharing my creations with friends, family and everyone that loves a homecooked meal. This is where I share my favorite recipes with step-by-step instructions as well as tips and tricks to help you make these delicious recipes in your home.

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