A No-Bake Watermelon-Cake and a Birthday Celebration
The 3-Day Celebration
It has already been a little while, but it still makes me really happy to think of my sisters birthday weekend. We ended up celebrating for the entire 3 days!
The weather could not have been more fitting. These were the hottest days of the Swiss summer so far, with temperatures reaching up to 38°C (100°F) in the shade! Who would have known it can get this hot in Switzerland. So each day, we found a new way to escape the heat.
Aussicht von der Limmat
Friday - River Floating
We started the celebrations on Friday evening with a family outing on the Limmat River. Böötle is a popular Swiss summer activity where you float down a river on an inflatable boat.
We got into the water at Wipkingerwiese in Zurich and drifted along the river for about 45 minutes until we reached Werdinsel. There, we enjoyed hot dogs and fries – the classic Swiss Badiznacht (a typical meal after a day at the swimming pool).
Whenever we go Böötle, I like to check this map beforehand. There is also an app called LimmatBuddy, which provides detailed information about the water level, water temperature, and safety conditions.
Saturday – Brunch and a Quarry Lake
Even early in the morning Saturday was already incredibly hot, so we quickly decided to spend the afternoon at the quarry lake in Kriessern, St. Gallen.
Before heading out, we enjoyed an amazing brunch on the patio with croissants, fresh bread, bacon, pancakes, eggs, cheese, and fruit, the perfect start to a summer day.
For dinner, we had homemade cheese focaccia, Zigeunerplätzli (a Swiss term for thinly sliced horse meat, and yes, we do eat horse meat here), oven-roasted potatoes, and a variety of light summer salads.
We ended the evening with presents. I was finally able to give my sister the handmade gift cards and the drawn card I had created for her. Afterwards, we played a slightly twisted version of charades and laughed until we cried.
Sonntag - the Party
Sunday was the day of the actual birthday party with family and friends, so we started the preparations early in the morning.
For the appetizer, we served bruschetta and breadsticks. To drink, we made two wonderfully refreshing summer favorites: a non-alcoholic Sherbet Punch (you can find the recipe here: Sherbet Punch) and Sgroppino for the adults. Both drinks have become staples at our summer gatherings and are always a huge hit.
For the main course, everyone made their own mini pizzas on raclette grills. We set everything up under the large plane tree in the garden, where everyone could sit comfortably in the shade and top their pizzas however they liked.
The real star of the day, however, was dessert. We served a Daim cake, and a giant watermelon cake!
It couldn't be easier to make, which makes it the perfect dessert for hot summer days. It's light, refreshing, naturally low in calories, and guaranteed to be a showstopper at any summer party.
Watermelon-Cake:
Ingredients:
1 large watermelon (about 10 kg / 22 lbs)
Fresh berries for decorating
Fresh mint or lemon balm
A cake topper (I made mine myself)
2 long wooden skewers
About 10 toothpicks
Instructions:
Using a large knife, cut the watermelon into five sections as shown in the photo. The two end pieces won't be needed. Stand the largest center piece on its cut side and trim the surface if necessary so it sits flat. Place a large plate or bowl on top, about the same diameter as the watermelon, and carefully cut away the rind to create a smooth, round cake layer. Transfer it to a cake stand or serving platter.
Repeat the process with the second largest piece, this time using a slightly smaller plate or bowl so the second tier is a little smaller. Place it on top of the first layer. Cut the third tier the same way using an even smaller plate or bowl, then stack it on top.
Insert the two long wooden skewers from the top through all three tiers to hold the cake together. Decorate with fresh berries, mint or lemon balm, and a cake topper. Use toothpicks to secure any berries that don't stay in place on their own.
Don't worry about the leftover watermelon! Cut it into bite-sized cubes and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a refreshing snack.
To Prepare ahead:
If you'd like to prepare the cake in advance, you can complete everything through step 2. Wrap the stacked watermelon tiers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator or a cool room. Decorate the cake just before serving so it keeps looking fresh.
