My little one turned one this weekend! I know it’s the most overused phrase in the book, but truly — where did that year go? We now have a hilarious little lady running around, full of character and opinions, and frankly, I adore this age. Newborns are sweet, no doubt, but one-year-olds? They’re pure entertainment. Like tiny, happy drunks wobbling through life with no filter and full enthusiasm.
For her first birthday, we kept the vibe relaxed but joyful. I made a Brita cake, sausage rolls, and this watermelon frog — which, if we’re being honest, was the true star of the table. I skipped homemade salads this time (store-bought can be perfectly fine when you’re short on steam), but the froggy made up for it in charm. Every single guest commented on him. A few posed for selfies. He was, without question, the most social guest at the party.
Table decorations? I barely thought about them. I knew the frog would hold his own — and I was right. If you’re planning a kids’ party or a summer gathering, let this charismatic creature do the heavy lifting. Bonus: no bowls to wash. Just pop the rind into the compost bin and call it a win.
This one watermelon frog fed a party of 25–30 guests, alongside a few other dishes. The very last bites were mine to enjoy in peace, once the house had quieted. I recommend using a Cantaloupe melon for its bold orange hue — regular yellow melon just fades into the mix. This charming recipe originally appeared in Pere ja Kodu magazine in April 2020.
Watermelon Frog
Ingredients
Preparation
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Wash all fruits and berries thoroughly. Cut a quarter-sized wedge from the watermelon — this will form the frog’s mouth — and place it flesh-side down on a cutting board. Carefully cut away the flesh and cube or scoop into balls using a melon baller or apple corer. Trim the remaining rind into shapes for the frog’s paws and eyes.
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Hollow out the rest of the watermelon. Cut the flesh into bite-sized pieces or scoop into balls and transfer to a large bowl. Clean and prep the melon in the same way, and add to the mix. Chop the strawberries into sectors and add along with the blueberries, raspberries, and grapes. Gently toss everything together.
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Spoon the fruit salad into the hollowed watermelon shell. Attach the rind “eyes” using toothpicks, and press a blueberry onto each to bring his eyes to life. Arrange the paws around the base. For extra flair, line the serving dish with lettuce leaves and nestle the frog on top.
Note
- Use a melon baller or apple corer for perfectly shaped fruit spheres. With the corer, cut round cylinders from the flesh and slice into smaller bites — it’s oddly satisfying.
