Watermelon Roll
March 22, 2011 in frozen goodies
As soon as the weather started warming up, my Twitter friends Nicole and Rachel began talking nonstop about Friendly’s Wattamelon Rolls. They aren’t something we have in the south (at least my part of the south) so I was intrigued and knew I would need to make one.
The idea of the watermelon roll is watermelon sherbet that’s studded with mini chocolate chips to look like seeds and then lemon sherbet as the rind. Cute, right? I experimented with painting the outside green but I could never get food coloring to freeze so the knife left green marks on the pretty sherbet. If you come up with a better way to do it, please let me know!
My kid is obsessed with this. He doesn’t even like watermelon but he cannot get enough! The lemon sherbet is so delicious. It’s on the tart side so you might want to add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter. The watermelon sorbet still has that watermelon texture if you know what I mean, which makes it seem even more like a real watermelon. I’m not the biggest watermelon fan so I’m kind of “ehh” on that part but I will say that it’s much tastier than the actual fruit. ;)
I think this would be so cute at a summer barbecue or a kids sporting event. Nothing says summer like watermelon!
| Watermelon Roll |
- For the lemon sherbet:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- For the watermelon sherbet:
- 3 cups watermelon puree (I pureed half a medium-sized watermelon and let it sit overnight. It separated and I only used the thicker puree so that I would have a brighter color and taste. I recommend doing that but it will also work with fresh puree.)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- Combine the cream, milk, and sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in lemon juice. Freeze in ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Put in freezer once done. Once the sherbet has become firm, press it into the bottom of a large bowl. Place in freezer.
- Combine the watermelon puree, cream, milk, and sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in lemon juice. Freeze in ice cream machine according to manufacturers instructions. Once frozen, stir in chocolate chips. Pour into the center of the lemon sherbet that’s already been pressed into a bowl. Place to freezer to harden. Once firm, flip onto a serving platter. Slice and serve.
- (I found that taking a hair dryer to the underside of the bowl allowed it to loosen up and come out of the bowl without melting too much.)
adapted from The Gourmand Mom






This is just the coolest recipe! I’ve never had the Friendley’s version but I don’t think I want to now. Yours is awesome! ♥- Katrina
I think you just blew my mind. I never knew of such a thing but I really wanna try it now.
This is so awesomely cool! My boyfriend Richard would be all over this (and so would I) because he loves watermelon and is a chocolate fiend. Unfortunately I don’t have an ice cream maker so…I’m going to need another plan of attack if I want to try this in the summer!
LOVE IT!!!!
Since we have Wattamelon Rolls I never considered making this, but if I ever move out of the Friendly’s area I will be making this. I love sorbet and sherbert so this would be perfect to make.
Sooo cute!!!!
Awesome!! I love that you finally caved and decided to make one. Like Nicole… I never would have even thought to make one since we have them up here. I might have to try next winter if I get a craving :)
They have them in this part of the south, but only in wholesale stores like Sam’s and BJs. It turned out really cute!
This idea is awesome! I’m pretty sure I’d be obsessed with this too. ;)
So pretty! I’m ready for summer already…
Pretty sure I am obsessed with this recipe and I can’t wait to make it! Once I read “chocolate chips” you had me!
That’s cute! Personally, I would make a third flavor of sherbet, like lime or kiwi, or even mint! And make a thin thin layer to make the skin.
I remember having a slice of this growing up and it was so good! I love the delicate color of your watermelon sherbet.
This looks so cute! I bet it’s going to be a hit with my cousin!
That’s an awesome recipe! ;) A perfect dessert for this upcoming summer. Yay, i’m so excited about it, already! :D
Perfect for summer!!!
I grew up in Western Massachusetts, home of basketball and Friendly’s. Without a doubt, this is one of the coolest frozen confections I have ever seen.
I recently saw this on another blog and I’ve never heard of it before…surprising bc I LOVE anything watermelon! Definitely want to make this summer :)
Amanda this looks awesome! I love how cute and festive and summery it is, too! :)
I have never heard of such a thing! I do love all the ingredients and would have never thought to combine them all. It would be a perfect summer dessert!
[...] Amanda’s Watermelon Roll [...]
Wow – homemade sherbet – I am impressed! This is a way cute idea, I can see how the kids love it .
You. Are. Awesome! I looove this idea, especially that it’s all homemade!