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    Home > Recipes > Cakes

    How to Make a Piñata Cake

    Published: Oct 9, 2017 · Modified: Apr 4, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 4 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Halloween Piñata Cake
    Halloween Pinata Cake
    Halloween Piñata Cake
    Halloween Pinata Cake on a white cake stand
    how to make a pinata cake

    Halloween Pinata Cake on a white cake stand

    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.

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

    Halloween Pinata Cake on a white cake stand

    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)!

    Halloween Piñata Cake with candy corn

    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!

    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

    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.

    spreading frosting on a chocolate cake

    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.)

    adding layers to a chocolate cake

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

    adding layers to a chocolate cake

    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.

    adding top layer to pinata cake

    And frost the entire thing!

    frosting a chocolate cake

    frosting a chocolate cake

    Step 5: Decorate and Serve

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

    Halloween Pinata Cake on a white cake stand

    Slice it up and serve!

    Halloween Piñata Cake with candy corns spilling out

    More Fun Cake Recipes

    • One-Bowl Chocolate Guinness Cake
    • Easy Vanilla Snack Cake
    • Healthy Smash Cake for Baby's First Birthday
    • Carrot Top Chocolate Cupcakes
    • One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Snack Cake

    Favorite Tools

    • 2 Round Cake Pans
    • Cake Stand or Serving Plate
    • Small Bowl or Paper Circle Guide
    Halloween Pinata Cake
    Print Recipe
    4.50 from 4 votes

    How to Make a Piñata Cake

    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.
    Prep Time1 hr
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Keyword: birthday cake, cakes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 500kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

    Equipment

    • Round Cake Pans
    • Cake Stand or Serving Plate
    • Small Bowl or Paper Circle Guide

    Ingredients

    • 4 8-inch Rounds of Cake (use your favorite recipe or use 2 boxed cake mixes)
    • 5 cups Frosting (three to four 16-oz containers of store-bought frosting)
    • 2 cups Candy / Sprinkles for the center of the cake
    • Optional - Any decorations you'd like for the top

    Instructions

    • Up to 1 day ahead
      Bake the cake rounds. Allow to cool completely. If the tops are rounded, slice the round part off to make the layers even.
    • Prepare frosting (if making from scratch).
    • Take two of the four layers and cut a 4-inch circle out of the middle. (Leave two layers intact.) You can do this with a small bowl as a guide or cut a 4-inch circle out of a piece of construction paper to use as a guide.
    • Set one full layer (not a layer with a circle cut out) on a serving plate or cake stand. Frost the top.
    • Add one layer with a circle cut out and frost the top of that.
    • Add the second layer with a circle cut out and frost the top of that.
    • Fill the hole in the center with candy and sprinkles.
    • Add the fourth and final full layer.
    • Frost the top and sides of the cake.
    • Decorate the top of the cake.
    • Slice and serve!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 32mg | Sugar: 84g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

    When they're not diving into a Halloween-themed piñata cake, Molly and Clara enjoy Sunday trips to Costco in last year's boots and sipping strawberry smoothies.

    Molly and Clara_Costco

    *This post contains affiliate links*

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ravi

      December 13, 2017 at 6:45 am

      4 stars
      Thanks for sharing such a nice pinata cake. Nice

      Reply
    2. dafmatok

      April 29, 2018 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      What an excellent idea! Thanks for the share.

      Reply
    3. Sandeep Dhiman

      January 22, 2019 at 6:53 am

      hhhaha that's Funny and looking amazing too at the same time.
      and you are really creative to make that type of cake

      Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    4. Alina Green

      July 05, 2019 at 10:16 pm

      Piñata Cake are love. OMG what a article ! Pictures says it all. I love the process and will definately loveeee it ! Thanks for sharing! Much love !!!

      Reply

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