Submitted by: Isabel De Los Rios
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 0 Seconds
Servings: 16
I make variations of this cake for all different special occasions, and it's always a hit!
29 fl oz. canned coconut milk
1 lrg. watermelon
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. honey, raw
1/2 c. shredded coconut
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1 c. strawberries
Make the Coconut Whipped Cream: Place the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (or overnight). This will cause the cream to separate from the milk. The cream will be at the top of the can. Open the can of coconut milk and scrape out the cream into a medium sized bowl. Tip: I always open the can from the bottom and pour the milk out into a separate container before scraping out the cream (you can use the saved milk for smoothies and other recipes). Add the vanilla and raw honey to the mixture. Whip the cream with a hand mixer on medium speed and work your way up to high speed until the cream is fluffy, about 5 minutes (it will not be as fluffy as dairy whipped cream). Place the bowl of whipped cream in the fridge until ready to use.
Toasted Almonds or Coconut: Place a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat and allow the pan to get hot. Add the sliced almonds or shredded coconut and toss in the pan until they are toasted and turn a light brown color. Remove from pan and set aside to cool.
Assemble the Cake: Remove the top and bottom from the watermelon and remove the rind from the middle section. You should be left with a cake-shaped piece of watermelon. Cut the watermelon “cake” into the number of wedges/slices you want. I recommend 6-8 slices depending on the size of the watermelon. Pat the outside of the watermelon dry with paper towels (this is important because it will help the coconut whipped cream adhere better).
Dip the outside edge of each slice into the coconut whipped cream and then into the toasted almonds or coconut, and reassemble the wedges into the cake shape on a serving platter. Top with more whipped coconut cream and your favorite fresh fruit (I used blackberries, strawberries and kiwi).