Who wants a surprise? Piñata Cupcakes are stuffed with sweet and tasty treats that bring smiles and laughter to all. Fun recipe to make with the kids and let them be excited for what's to come. This recipe is timeless and always a favorite.
With a classic cake mix recipe, simple frosting and your favorite candies, you too can make Pinata Cupcakes to enjoy.
And I loved adding raspberry to the frosting for that extra touch of delicious flavor. Not just a regular cupcake, but a really fun dessert that tastes great too!
This recipe can actually be made a couple of ways. You can skip the recipe all together and just use a cake mix adding the ingredients from the box OR you can follow the recipe and make them from scratch.
Either way, you will love the outcome of Piñata Cupcakes because they are just so fun.
Looking or other quick easy treats? I've got you covered. How about Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes, or a simple Cake in a Jar treat? Both are presentation plus and so tasty. You may also enjoy a Churro Cupcake, or an easy Poke Cake.
Ingredient Roll Call for Pinata Cupcakes
- Cake Mix - Any flavor
- Frosting Tub - Any Flavor
- Candy or sprinkles
- Eggs & Oil for cake mix
The Must Have's for making Cupcakes
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Cupcake Instructions Made Simple
- Follow direction on boxed cake mix by adding oil, eggs, and water.
- Mix ingredients together using a hand mixer until smooth
- Spray muffin tin with non stick spray or use muffin liners and fill half way full
- Bake Cupcakes as directed on package and allow to completely cool.
- Cut a 1 in hole in top of each cupcake and carefully lift off top and set aside.
- Place 1 tablespoon of Skittles, M&M's, Chocolate Chips, or your favorite spread into each cupcake
- Place cake back on top to seal shut.
- Frost each cupcake and add candies to top. Enjoy!
How to Make Piñata Cupcakes
In a large mixing bowl combine cake mix with the required eggs, oil and water. Using a hand mixer mix ingredients until smooth.
Carefully scoop cake batter into muffin tins lined with liners or sprayed with non-stick baking spray and bake according to boxed directions.
Allow cupcakes to fully cool before proceeding with next steps
Carefully cut out a small hole in the center of the cupcakes and fill with your favorite candies and place cake back on top of hole cut.
Frost with your favorite tub frosting or try my Lemon Cream Cheese frosting which is a favorite!
And add a few extra candies or sprinkles on top for a beautiful garnish.
Quick Tips
I have found using your favorite boxed cake mix is ideal. Mix and match cake mix flavors with frosting flavors for best results!
- Try a vanilla cake mix with a strawberry frosting
- Try a chocolate cake mix with a vanilla frosting or chocolate frosting
- Try a lemon cake mix with a chocolate frosting
The possibilities are endless!
More Bars and Cookies
- Lemon Oatmeal Bars
- Best Lemon Bars
- Golden Oreo
- Snickerdoodle Bars
- Peanut Butter Brownies
- Blonde Brownie
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- Homemade Oreo
Pinata Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 15.25 ounce Cake Mix - Any Flavor
- Eggs - as directed on box mix
- Oil - as directed on box mix
- Water - as directed on box mix
Frosting
- 1 Tub Frosting - Any Flavor
- 10 oz Skittles, M&M's, Chocolate Chips etc
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350'F. Spray muffin tin with non stick spray or use muffin liners and set aside
- In a mixing bowl combine box cake mix with oil, eggs, and water as directed on package.
- Using a hand mixer, mix ingredients together until smooth
- Carefully scoop cake batter into muffin tins to half way full.
- Bake at 350F Degrees as directed on package
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely
- Cut out a 1 inch hole from the center and carefully drop candies into cooled cupcake. Replace cake top
Frosting
- Carefully frost cupcakes and garnish with remaining candies
Notes
Best Candies to Use in Pinata Cupcakes?
- M&M's
- Skittles
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Chopped Candy Bars
- Heath Bars
- Andes Mints Chopped
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Ashley Reese
These are just the cutest thing ever! I saved the recipe so I can make them one day!
Devour Dinner
These are fun! I had my son help make them too. So cute and so fun!
Ruth Iaela-Pukahi
Such a cute idea! Looking at the picture I was wondering how the m&ms didn't melt on the inside while baking so I HAD to read on! I'm sure my kids would love to try this too!
Have you tried any other candies in the center?
Devour Dinner
That is the great part. All candies are placed after they are baked and cooled! You could add any small candy really. I thought sprinkles would be fun for those kids who love sprinkles! Super cute ideas.
Tina
What a fun dessert! I never even knew there were red, white, and blue skittles!
Verla
Like finding dimes hidden in a birthday cake! What fun.
Heidi
These look so cute and yummy!
Stacey
What a cute idea! I just made cupcakes, and I could've done this. I'll have to try it next time!
Janine
These are so much fun! Great for the 4th of July holiday and such a fun surprise in the middle!
Jocelyn
These are super cute and festive! Great way to pump up a cupcake.
Tina
Such a cute recipe for the kids!
Ina @ Crafty For Home
That is fun cupcake for kids birthday too, and using skittle is even better because it is dairy-free option.
Kristi Ann
These are sooo adorable!! I can't wait to make them with the girls!
Christa
These look delicious! I'm going to have to try them. Thank you for sharing!
Ili
My kids would absolutely love these...
Ili
These are so cute. What a great way to surprise your guests. My kids would absolutely love these. Great tips... Thank you...
Arianny Rodriguez
What a fun surprise inside the cupcake! My kids will love this.
Tamar @ Twinstant Gratification
These are so fun! I'm going to make them with my twinsies!
Gail
OMG so so so cute! What a great idea!
Maggie | TotallyTeenTravel.com
What child under 17 wouldn't go gaga for these adorable cupcakes? Probably a lot of us older folks, too. 😉 Love them!
Katy
My daughter (and her friends!) will go crazy for these!
T.M. Brown
Yum!!! Perfect for someone with a sweet tooth and who loves M&Ms (oh, wait - is that MY hand raised up high??). Thanks for sharing.
Megan
Adorable! Such a festive treat.
Cynthia Mackintosh
These look so cute! I will have to make these at home for my kids!