Recipe

This Summer Watermelon Dessert Pizza is a BBQ Game Changer

By Jody Brimacombe at University of St. Andrews

There's nothing worse than showing up at a summer barbecue and realizing that ten people have brought the same packet of chips as you. Or dip. Or beer. Potluck barbecues are tricky to navigate because you're expected to bring a dish that's both unique and easy to throw together (because, naturally, you're fab without trying). If that sounds like an oxymoron to you, then don't worry. This watermelon dessert pizza is about to prove you wrong.

Not only is this sweet treat original, but it's easy to throw together the morning of the BBQ. Plus, it's a creamy, refreshing slice of summer that any vegan or gluten-friends at the barbecue can enjoy as well. Jazz up the usual watermelon salad with this alternative watermelon pizza topped with maple-cashew cream, nuts, and flavorful fruit topping. Now the only thing you have to worry about is outshining the host. 

Summer Watermelon Dessert Pizza with Maple Cashew Cream

  • Prep Time: 8 hrs
  • Total Time: 8 hrs
  • Servings: 6
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup cashews soaked overnight
  • Large watermelon
  • 1/2 large lemon juiced
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 can heavy coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup pecans chopped and toasted
  • blueberries
  • strawberries
  • mango

Jody Brimacombe

Step 1

In a small measuring cup, combine cashews and approximately 1 cup cold water. Allow the cashews to soak 6 hours, or overnight, then drain.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 2

Use a large, sharp knife to cut a round crosswise out of the watermelon. It should be about 2 inches thick.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 3

In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, lemon juice, and syrup. Using a spoon, scrape the coconut cream (this is the thick, solid white substance that gathers at the top of the can of coconut milk) into the blender. It should be about a cup of cream. Whizz the ingredients together on high speed until smooth.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 4

Using a spatula, spread the maple-cashew cream over the top of the watermelon like pizza sauce, leaving a margin of about 2cm near the edges.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 5

Decorate your watermelon pizza with nuts and fruit.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 6

Chill the watermelon pizza in the freezer for 2-3 hours, or until the maple-cashew cream hardens. Cut into 6-8 triangular wedges and serve immediately.

Jody Brimacombe

Unless you made like, twenty pizzas (all the power to you, my friend), chances are that you'll have some leftover watermelon lying around. Check out these six ways to use up leftover watermelon for some more killer recipes to impress your friends. After all, you can never have too much watermelon.