For anyone looking to cool off this summer, a new viral recipe is transforming one of the season’s most iconic fruits into a creamy frozen dessert, no ice cream maker required.
Watermelon fever has taken over TikTok’s FoodTok community, with creators freezing halved watermelons to produce an ice cream-sorbet hybrid.
The viral method calls for cutting open a seedless watermelon, scooping out some of the fruit to create a hole in the center, then wrapping it in plastic and freezing it overnight. The next day, you pour milk, heavy cream, or a dairy-free alternative into the hole. Finally, scrape the frozen fruit into the liquid until it transforms into a light, fluffy frozen treat.
“I made space in my freezer specifically for this,” creator Kirsten Titus said in a video making the viral ice cream. “This is so freaking good,” she said of the finished product.
The innovative recipe quickly gained traction on social media, thanks in part to how seemingly easy it is to make: two ingredients, no churning or fancy ice cream makers needed. According to TikTok data, the tag #watermelonicecream grew by 1,371% in the past month, quadrupling over the week of July 10.
Watermelon-related content seems to have gained in popularity as a result. One Florida farmer who shared tips on picking the perfect watermelon garnered more than 180,000 likes.
As the trend continues to grow, so do the possibilities: Many creators are taking the initiative to find other fruits that can become vessels for the perfect DIY ice cream.
Creator Bridey Drake added cream to the inside of halved papaya and honeydew melon to make her fruity-flavored ice creams.
Some innovators are experimenting by swapping out the dairy in favor of other liquids, like one who poured matcha into a scooped-out watermelon.
“[I]f you try this,” the caption reads, “make sure to add some sweetener to the whisked matcha (sugar/honey etc), otherwise you’ll end up with a sour face.”