Serves: A Lot!

1. Cut a thin slice from the bottom to provide a stable base.

2. Draw the outlines for the Heart Basket as shown in the pattern image.

3. Use a knife or decorating tool to cut out the edges. Be careful not to cut through the handle.

4. When cutting is complete, carefully remove the top quarter sections.

5. Trim the flesh from the inside of the handle.

6. You can cut out hearts or other designs from the rind you removed to decorate the outside of the basket; attach with toothpicks.

7. Fill with approx. 8-12 cups of fruit salad.

Tip from our Readers:
Carole, a Fabulous Foodie from Milford, Connecticut sent in the following tip:

"I just read your instructions for making a watermelon basket filled with fruit. I've made watermelon baskets and one of the problems I've encountered is liquid from the fruits collecting in the bottom of the "basket" which makes the fruit soggy. I corrected this problem with the last basket I made by putting "drainage" holes in the bottom of the watermelon after hollowing it out and before filling with the fruit. I then put the basket in a large oval roasting pan filled with ice cubes (to keep the fruit cold), and the water from the fruit drained into the pan along with the melting ice. This kept the fruit in the basket from getting soggy. Thought you might be able to use this idea.

Melon Baller and V-Shaped Cutting Tool

These optional tools can help easily give your watermelon carvings a professional, polished look. Also great for other garnishing jobs too.

Need Garnishing Tools?
Click for Amazon.com's selection.