How to Make a Piñata Cake

4.5

Published Oct 09, 2017•Updated Jul 29, 2024

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A layer cake with a core of candy that comes tumbling out when sliced. Piñata cakes are fun to make and even more fun to bring to the table with kids (or, let’s be real, adults) around.

Halloween Pinata Cake on a white cake stand

Ever wanted to make one of these? We’ve got you covered! See below for step-by-step photos.

I was going to make Molly and Clara a piñata cake for their birthday. That was in April. It is now October. Such is life with three year old twins.

Better late than never. And that much better when it’s full of candy corn!

I first learned about piñata cakes from my friend Claire who made this inspired rainbow beauty that has caught my eye more than a time or two over the years. I still come across that gorgeous cake when I’m flipping through Pinterest. Piñata cakes are hollowed out after baking and filled with candy. They look like ordinary cakes, but when sliced open, the candy comes tumbling out. Like hitting a piñata (with less mess)!

This is NOT a complicated thing to make. I do a lot of cooking, but I like my baking to be simple – sheet cakes, cookies and no-bake desserts are my thing. So I promise that I wouldn’t share this with you unless I felt confident that anyone can tackle it. Follow along below to see exactly how it’s done!

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Step 1: Bake Cake Layers / Prepare Frosting

Before you start, you’ll need:

Four baked 8-inch rounds of cake
~5 cups of frosting (three to four 16-oz containers of store-bought frosting)
2 cups of candy / sprinkles for the center

Any flavor of cake / frosting will do. It’s a great idea to bake the cake a day ahead so the layers are nice and cool when it’s time to frost and assemble. (Note: If you have a go-to layer cake / frosting feel free to make those from scratch. Boxed cake mix and store-bought frosting totally fit the bill here too. All the focus on this cake will be on the fun filling, so don’t spend too much time on the cake recipe.)

After the layers have cooled, if the tops are rounded, use a serrated knife to slice off the round part. The layers will stack more evenly this way.

leveling a chocolate cake on a white cake plate

Step 2: Slice a Core Out of Two Layers

Cut a circle into two of the four cake layers. Just two. Leave the other two intact. I used a bowl that was 4 inches across as a guide. You can also cut a 4-inch circle into a piece of construction paper. Or just eyeball it if you’re feeling feisty.

cutting the center out of a chocolate cake

Tip: See that mini cake that comes out of the middle? Wrap it in plastic and freeze it. Some cold, rainy afternoon in the months ahead, defrost it and let the kids decorate it!

removing the center from a chocolate cake

Step 3: Frost Three Layers and Fill

Put the first full layer (not one with a circle cut out) on a serving plate or cake stand. Frost the top.

Add a layer with the center cut out and frost the top of that. (See these messy frosting skills? If I can do this, anyone can.)

Add the second layer with the center cut out and frost that too!

Now comes the fun! Load that center up with candy…

adding candy corn to the center of the pinata cake

And sprinkles…

adding sprinkles to the center of the pinata cake

And more of all of it. Right up to the very top…

candy corn and sprinkles in the center of a chocolate cake

Step 4: Add Fourth Layer and Frost

Add the final full layer.

And frost the entire thing!

Step 5: Decorate and Serve

Put some more fun stuff on the top if you so choose.

Slice it up and serve!

Halloween Piñata Cake with candy corns spilling out

More Fun Cake Recipes

The BEST Smash Cake for Baby’s First Birthday

Easy Vanilla Cake (with oil, no butter)

Semolina Cake

The Best Chocolate Bundt Cake

9″ Round Cake Pan

Serrated Knife

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