Watermelon Truffles – No Bake

For a fast summer treat that you don’t even have to bake, try my cake batter watermelon truffles. They are so easy to make with just seven ingredients, and the house will stay nice and cool since you don’t have to turn on the oven. Festive and delicious, these no-bake truffles are the perfect cute dessert for summer parties!

green coated Watermelon Truffles with chocolate chips

I love no-bake desserts because I can let the kids help and don’t have to heat up the house with the oven. So, they are perfect for summer when the kids are home on summer break. The colors make them so unique. They actually look like little watermelons with pink inside, green outside, and chocolate chips for the seeds.

These are also a hit at pink parties like Valentine’s Day. Or you can make some blue ones, too, for a baby shower treat! Since they are no-bake treats, they can sit out for a few hours without worry, but remember that they will probably melt if they sit out in the heat outside. Place the container on ice if you are at a picnic or barbecue to keep them cool.

My kids love making these. Since there is no baking or cooking, the little ones will love rolling them into balls. They may eat some while they roll them, but that is okay. Since they are no-bake, they don’t have any raw eggs or anything to worry about—just the flour and cake mix, which you must pre-heat before using.

Perfect for summer parties, birthday parties or just those days when you need a cute and fun treat. If you love cookie dough, you will be a huge fan of these watermelon truffles, as the texture is very similar.

Why you will love this recipe

  • You don’t have to bake anything: There is no need to heat up the house with the oven for this recipe. You just have to use the microwave to preheat the flour and cake mix and to melt the chocolate wafers.
  • The kids can make them: Another plus is that the kids can help make them. Actually, they can do it all while you supervise! I love getting my kids in the kitchen, so they grow up loving to cook like I do.
  • It is a simple recipe: You only need a few ingredients. In fact, you don’t even have to have the watermelon extract if you don’t care what color they are.
  • They taste amazing: Whether you add the extract or not, these things are delicious. Made with butter and cake mix, the inside is a dreamy creamy delight, and the outside is my favorite: chocolate!
Watermelon Truffles with pink interior and chocolate chips

What you’ll need to make no bake watermelon truffles:

Special items:

  • Baking sheet – I use a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
  • Mixing bowls – For mixing the ingredients and melting the chocolate.
  • Silicone spatula – For stirring and folding.
  • Pastry cutter – To cut in the butter. Or you can use a fork.
  • Cookie scoop – Depending on what size truffles you want. I used a small scoop for little truffles.

Ingredients:

  • Flour – I use all-purpose flour, but you can use whatever kind of flour you like. It has an average amount of protein and makes a soft but firm dough. Just be sure to precook it first.
  • Box of cake mix – Any kind will do. I usually use Betty Crocker white cake mix because it has a nice flavor, and it turns a bright pink when adding food coloring. Other flavors, like butter or yellow, will not be as pink. Like the flour, you should precook it first to kill bacteria.
  • Butter – Because you are using so much butter in this recipe, it is important to use unsalted. Otherwise, your truffles may taste salty. Also, let it soften to room temperature before using it so it is easier to incorporate.
  • Mini chocolate chips – These little chocolate pieces look just like watermelon seeds, and they add a chocolatey flavor to your truffles too.
  • Pink gel food coloring – I like to use gel food coloring because you don’t need much, and it has such a vibrant color. But you can use regular food coloring.
  • Green candy melts – I prefer Wilton, but you can use your favorite.
  • Watermelon extract – You don’t have to use it unless you want your truffles to taste like watermelon. This is the one that I like Watermelon Extract.

How to make the watermelon truffles?

  1. Prepare the baking sheet: First, cover a baking sheet with wax paper and set it aside.
  2. Mix in the butter: Next, cut the butter into pieces and put it in a large bowl with the flour and cake mix. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut the butter in until it looks like cookie dough. To make it easier, use your hands to really work it in well.
  3. Add-ins: After, fold in the watermelon extract and pink food coloring gel. Then, add the chocolate chips and mix well.
  4. Make the balls: Now, make balls with the cookie scoop or a tablespoon and roll them into a smooth ball, placing them onto the baking sheet. Then, freeze them for 10 minutes before dipping them in chocolate.
  5. Melt the chocolate: While you wait, melt the green chocolate wafers in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then, stir and microwave for another 30 seconds. Continue until smooth.
  6. Coat and chill: Use a fork or toothpicks to dip each ball into the melted chocolate and then set it back on the parchment paper. Let them chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Expert tip

How to heat-treat flour and cake mix

Yes, you have to pre-cook your flour and cake mix before using it to make sure it is safe. Raw flour can have bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. You certainly don’t want to eat that. It can make you very sick. Typically, you use flour for baking, so it is not a major concern most of the time. But with no-bake recipes, you have to heat the flour to kill the bacteria.

In the microwave

Since I promised that you don’t have to turn on the oven, you can heat-treat your flour and cake mix in the microwave. Simply pour it into a large microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir and heat for another 30 seconds. Continue to do that until an instant-read thermometer reads 160 to 165 degrees F in several different places.

In the oven

However, I think it is easier to line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the flour and cake mix in a thin layer if you don’t mind turning on the oven for a short time. Bake at 350 degrees F for five to seven minutes. You still should check the temperature but try not to touch the pan with the thermometer or you will get a false temperature. Be sure to let it cool and sift it before using it.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

  • Other cake mix: Instead of using white cake and dyeing it, try using strawberry cake mix. It will be pink and will give your truffles a nice strawberry flavor.
  • Other colors: Alternatively, use different colors of chocolate melts for other occasions. I have used red and white for Valentine’s Day, green and red for Christmas, and pastel colors for Easter.
  • Seedless watermelon: Like your watermelon seedless? Skip the chocolate chips. 
  • Different flavors: Experiment with different flavors of extract to see what tastes good together. I have tried lemon extract with yellow cake mix for summer lemonade truffles and dark chocolate extract with Devil’s Food cake mix dipped in orange chocolate for Halloween.
  • Cheesecake truffles: Turn these into cheesecake truffles using cream cheese instead of butter.
  • Add vodka: Make these boozy truffles with a bit of vodka in the mix. Just remember, they are not baked so they will contain alcohol. Don’t give them to the kids!
green and pink Watermelon Truffles

Serving suggestions:

Frequently asked questions

What are truffles?

Not to be confused with the mushrooms with the same name, these French dessert balls are traditionally made with chocolate ganache in the middle and a coating of cocoa powder on the outside. They could also be topped with chopped nuts, coconut, or candy sugar. Topping them with melted chocolate as in this recipe is also a great choice. Then, they are rolled into balls and chilled until hardened.

What is the difference between a bonbon and a truffle?

Interestingly, a bonbon is a molded chocolate dessert made with fruit or another filling that is not chocolate. Truffles are usually chocolate on the inside. Bonbons are usually made in a mold with a flat bottom, sort of like the chocolates you get in the boxes for Valentine’s Day. The outside shell of a bonbon is harder than a truffle and is often decorated with chocolate drizzles or sprinkles.

Why are my truffles falling apart?

It could be that they are not cold enough. The truffles have to be completely chilled and solid before being dipped into the melted chocolate or they will just fall apart when you dip them no matter how careful you are. As in my recipe, you should put them in the freezer for about 10 minutes before dipping them. Also, you might have used too much flour, and not enough butter or frosting.

Can I eat raw flour or cake-mix?

It is NOT recommended, as it involves the risk of E.Coli contamination. To kill the bacteria, you can heat-treat the flour prior to adding it to no-bake desserts.

Do watermelon truffles taste like watermelon?

Actually, they taste like butter cake with chocolate icing to me. But if you want them to taste like watermelon, add a teaspoon of watermelon extract to your batter. For fun, you could use other flavors and colors like blueberry extract with purple or blue dye, lemon cake and lemon extract for lemony truffles, or chocolate cake with chocolate coating for a double chocolate truffle delight.

How to store:

  • Refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in plastic wrap at room temperature for five days or in the fridge for about a week. 
  • Freezing: After making sure your leftovers are cooled completely, wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for three months.
  • Defrost: Thaw frozen truffles overnight in your refrigerator for the best texture and taste.

More cake truffles to try:

Recipe tips:

  • For the vibrant pink color, use pink food coloring gel. Otherwise, they will just look like white cake with chocolate chips.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to measure the dough to make each truffle the same size.
  • The butter needs to be at room temperature before using it or it will not mix well.
  • To make it easier to work in the butter, use your hands after working it in with a fork or pastry cutter.
  • If you use a yellow cake mix, you may need to add more gel color.
  • Candy melts work best for melting. Using white chocolate chips for this step will not make the coating solid enough.
No Bake Watermelon Truffles are a fun, tasty and colorful summer treat. Easy to make, with just a few ingredients, these are perfect to brighten your day.

Watermelon Truffles

Catalina Castravet
Watermelon Truffles are a fun and tasty no-bake treat made with just 7 ingredients—the perfect cute treat for summer parties.
4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 truffles
Calories 107 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 package White Cake Mix 15.25 ounces
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 8 drops pink gel food color
  • 1 teaspoon watermelon extract optional
  • 2 packages Wilton Green Candy Melts 12 ounces each

Instructions
 

  • Cover a baking sheet or cutting board with waxed paper and set aside.
  • Slice butter into 8-10 pieces and add it to a large bowl; add cake mix and flour.
  • Work the butter into the flour and cake mix using a fork until thoroughly combined and resembles smooth cookie dough. To make the process easier, mix with a fork first, then use your hands or a spatula to combine all the ingredients.
  • Add watermelon extract and pink gel food color, and fold in with a spatula.
  • Add mini chocolate chips and fold in with a spatula.
  • Measure 1.5-2 tablespoons of truffle batter. Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough and roll it into a ball using your palms. Place the truffle balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Place them in the freezer for 10 minutes (or refrigerate for 30 minutes) before coating them with green chocolate.
  • The number of truffles you will get depends on how large or small you make them.

Green White Chocolate Coating:

  • Add the candy melts to a large microwave-safe bowl and melt for 30-40 seconds. Stir well and microwave for another 20 or 30 seconds; stir well with a spatula, and if there is still chocolate that did not melt, microwave for another 15 seconds and stir well.
  • Using a fork, dip each dough ball into the melted white chocolate and place it on a prepared plate covered with wax or parchment paper.
  • Place truffles in the fridge for at least 20 – 30 minutes or until the chocolate coating hardens.
  • Store truffles in the fridge for up to 7-10 days. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 152mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 0gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 55mgIron: 0.6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.86 from 7 votes

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51 Comments

  1. this is such a creative way to make truffles. i never thought of freezing cake mix into a cookie dough.

  2. These cute truffles are what summer is all about! I’m not sure mine will be as cute as yours but I’m definitely going to try.

        1. So how would you add in the jello? And also you’re baking the flour but what about the flour in the cake mix? Could you get ecoli from that?🤔

          1. You can bake the cake mix the same way as the flour. The Jello just mix it with the cake mix.

  3. These are so fun, great addition to any summer outdoor gathering.

  4. What a super fun addition for summer parties! My kids would go crazy over these, I’d have to hide them until party time!

  5. These are adorable! I would love to make these with the girls over the summer. This would be so fun to make as a a party favor too.

  6. I love these desserts. They’re fun to eat, they’re little and they taste delicious. I have never tried the watermelon version but I’m going to.

  7. The watermelon truffles are so cute and summery. I teach kindergarten and my students would have loved those. I also saw the white sprinkled truffles on the way to the comments and those look delish too.

    1. Thanks Kim! I actually have a kindergarten age boy and he LOVES these truffles and also the sprinkle ones 🙂

  8. These Watermelon Truffles look so cute and delicious. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some one the weekend. I want to try the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffles recipe as well.5 stars

  9. Those are just adorable! I love how creative they look and they look pretty easy to make too! Thanks for the recipes!

  10. Watermelon truffles seem to be a great snack idea for this summer. It’s great that I don’t need to bake it.

  11. I have never seen a watermelon truffle before! My kids would absolutely flip out to bit into these and find the watermelon center!

  12. This is such an interesting idea. I would try to use beets to color them naturally. What do you think?

    1. It should work, you may have to add a bit more flour, but the color should be pretty, maybe not as pink, but definitely pretty!

  13. I love watermelon anything. These truffles look absolutely amazing. They would be perfect for summer. Im totally trying this recipe.

  14. What an absolutely adorable idea! Dang, I always feel like my creativity lacks when I see neat things like this. These would be perfect for a get together this summer!5 stars

    1. lol when I open Pinterest I always feel like I am not creative haha! Yes, these are perfect for summer parties!

  15. Oh these are adorable and look delicious too! My Mother in law loves to bake and is always getting creative with her desserts. I am sending this to her, I know she would love to make it!5 stars

  16. They have watermelon jello, anyone have any idea how it could be used for color and flavor? just a thought. love the recipe, will try it

  17. These look soo good! And they’re so stinkin’ cute! They’d be so perfect for a summer party or BBQ. I have to try making them!!!

  18. I’m sorry but making truffles has nothing to do with cake mixes. Why not make a pink ganache and as it cools add watermelon flavor/oil and chips. Let it completely chill, roll into balls, chill a

    gain and dip in green melted chocolate.

  19. These cute truffles are what summer is all about! I’m not sure mine will be as cute as yours but I’m definitely going to try. So satisfying 🙂5 stars

  20. This recipe looks delicious, such a pretty summer treat. In the beginning, you mention about baking the cake mix, but it’s not mentioned in the recipe. Shouldn’t that be in the recipe also? Sometimes people read quickly, then print the recipe but since that is not mentioned in the recipe, they might forget about it. I’ve used cake mixes in recipes many times over the years, but the desserts were always being baked. I’m giving the recipe a 4 star rating since I haven’t made it yet.4 stars

  21. Omg these look so good! I honestly wish that I had some right now because they look so amazing and so delicious! I wll make it on the next time. thanks for your sharing so much

  22. My favorite fruit is watermelon, so this surely caught my attention. These are so pretty! The kids will definitely love this. Thank you for sharing this 🙂5 stars