Fresh watermelon 'cake'

Prep 1 hr | Serves 10

This stunning fresh fruit 'cake' is naturally sweet and delicious. Perfect for parties and celebrations, kids just love it! Choose a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a hollow sound when tapped.

1 whole seedless watermelon (about 4 kg)
1 pineapple, peeled and cut into 1cm thick slices
1 rockmelon, halved and deseeded
250g blueberries
125g strawberries, hulled and halved lengthways

Step 1 Place watermelon onto a damp cloth on a chopping board. Using a large sharp knife, carefully cut a 12cm-wide slice from the watermelon, then cut a 10cm-wide slice and an 8cm-wide slice.

Step 2 Place the 12cm watermelon round onto the board. Using a small sharp knife, remove the rind and and white flesh. Shape the melon flesh with a small sharp knife to form a round shape. Place the watermelon round onto a large heavy-duty serving plate.

Step 3 Remove rind and white flesh from the remaining watermelon slices and trim to form rounds. Place watermelon slices onto the watermelon base to form a layered cake shape.

Step 4 Using a 3cm star-cutter, cut pineapple flesh into stars. Thread a pineapple star and 3 blueberries then another pineapple star onto an 18cm bamboo skewer. Repeat to make 10 skewers. Insert skewers into the top of the watermelon cake.

Step 5 Using a 4cm star cutter, cut stars from the rockmelon. Use a melon scoop, to scoop balls from the watermelon.

Step 6 Decorate the watermelon cake with remaining blueberries, rockmelon stars and watermelon balls (see the photo). Serve with any remaining watermelon balls.

Note, this fresh fruit cake can be made a few hours ahead of serving and stored in the fridge.

Good for you ... Watermelon

A source of vitamin C, which contributes to the normal functioning of the body’s immune system.

Provides beta carotene which the body converts to vitamin A. This vitamin is needed for normal skin structure and function. The deeper the colour of the red flesh, the higher the level of beta carotene.

A source of lycopene, a carotenoid also found in tomatoes and pink grapefruit and being researched for its role in the health of the prostate gland in men.