Pinata Cupcakes have a fun surprise in the middle. These cupcakes are filled with sprinkles and topped with delicious frosting. It is a fun dessert for any occasion.
Pinata Cupcakes are one of my favorite easy cupcake recipes. They are so delicious and packed with sprinkles. It’s one of our favorite birthday desserts.
It is a fun recipe for birthdays and celebrations. I have been making tasty cupcakes for years and also love Tres Leche Cupcakes.
Table of contents
What Are Pinata Cupcakes?
These are just cupcakes with sprinkles in the middle. When you bite into them, you get a fun surprise in the middle.
These colored sprinkles make this recipe perfect for a birthday, Cinco de Mayo Desserts ,New Year’s Eve Desserts and more. It is one of our favorite cupcakes to make and the kids love them.
We used funfetti cake mix to make this recipe but you can use vanilla cupcakes or anything else you want.
One bite and you will see the rainbow of sprinkles inside. This dessert is a blast to make and serve.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- Funfetti Cake Mix. If you prefer homemade, try making Confetti Cupcakes.
- Bright Color Rainbow Sprinkles. You can use any color you prefer.
Frosting
- Butter. Softened at room temperature
- Clear Vanilla Extract. If you don’t use clear, the frosting will not be as white.
- Confectioners’ Sugar. Sift to remove any lumps.
Get the complete ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Frosting. Try Strawberry Buttercream Frosting or Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.
How to Make Pinata Cupcakes
Step 1. Make the cupcakes based on the cupcake instructions. Pour the batter into the cupcake pan and bake in the oven. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely at room temperature.
Step 2. Make a hole with a sharp knife in each cupcake that is approximately 1 inch in diameter and 1 inch deep in the center of each cupcake. Gently cut the bottom off of each cupcake insert to make the plugs for the cupcakes. Fill each of the holes in the cupcakes with the rainbow sprinkles. Finally, top with the cupcake plug and gently press it down to make it level.
Step 3. Next, make the frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth on medium speed.
Step 4. Gradually add the powdered sugar on low speed until well combined.
Step 5. Then stir in the vanilla extract and milk until combined.
Step 6. Place the frosting in a piping bag with a star piping tip and pipe a portion of the frosting on top of each cupcake. Top with the reserved sprinkles and the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Frosting. We used vanilla frosting but you can use chocolate, lemon, strawberry or your favorite. You can even use store bought icing if you need to save even more time.
- Cake. Funfetti cake mix is always a popular option but this cupcake recipe can be made with any type. Try using chocolate or strawberry cake for more great options.
- Cupcake Liners. Change this up for special occasions, birthdays and more. We definitely suggest using cupcake liners because it makes them easier to handle with adding the sprinkles.
- Mixer. You can use a stand mixer or hand held electric mixer to make the frosting.
- Allow to cool. The cupcakes should be completely cool before cutting the hole out and adding the filling. If you do this too soon, the color from the sprinkles may run into the cupcake.
- Food coloring. You can add food coloring to the frosting if you want it to be different colors. This would be fun to match to a birthday party or theme.
- Fill evenly. Add the same amount of cake batter to each cupcake liner. It will help them to bake evenly.
- Knife with serrated edges. This type of knife will make it easier to remove the core from each cupcake.
- Filler. Make sure to add enough sprinkles to each cupcake so you have the cool pinata effect. This is super fun when taking that first bite.
Storage
Store the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate the leftover cupcakes for up to 1 week.
I do not suggest freezing these cupcakes. The color can run from the sprinkles.
If you need to make them in advance, make and freeze the cupcakes. Then thaw when ready to enjoy and cut, fill and frost.
More Fillings
- Mini chocolate chips. This is a great idea for chocolate lovers.
- Peanut Butter chips. This would be delicious if you used chocolate cupcakes. The combination sounds amazing.
- Small candies. Nerds, red hots, skittles, mini m&m or any small candy is perfect to use in the middle of these cupcakes.
- Nuts. Chopped pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts are perfect for the filling.
- Cereal. Choose your favorites to add to the cupcake. Some ideas include Cookie Crisp, Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles and more.
Sprinkles are fun but you can substitute for lots of other items. Choose your favorite and make some of these variations.
More Fun Cupcake Recipes
- Ice cream cone cupcakes
- Fruity Pebbles Cupcakes
- Cupcakes in a Jar
- Orange Soda Cupcakes
- Cherry Limeade Cupcakes
- Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe
Go ahead and try these easy sprinkle filled cupcake treats. Don’t forget to leave a comment!
Piñata Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 Box Funfetti Cake Mix
- *Ingredients to prepare the cupcakes on the package
- Bright Color Rainbow Sprinkles divided
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup Solid Vegetable Shortening
- 1/2 cup Butter softened at room temperature
- 1 tsp Clear Vanilla Extract
- 4 cups Confectioners’ Sugar sifted
- 2 Tbsp Milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Funfetti cake mix based on the cupcake instructions and allow the cupcakes to cool completely at room temperature.
- Using a small knife, cut holes into the centers of each cupcake that is approximately 1 inch in diameter and 1 inch deep in the center of each cupcake. Gently cut the bottom off of each cupcake insert to make the plugs for the cupcakes.
- Fill each of the holes in the cupcakes with the rainbow sprinkles (reserve some of the sprinkles with the topping) and then top with the cupcake plug and gently press it down to make it level.
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth.
- Then slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar (1 cup at a time) on low speed until well combined.
- Then stir in the vanilla extract and milk until combined.
- Place the frosting in a decorator’s bag with a star tip and pipe the frosting on top of each cupcake. Top with the reserved sprinkles and the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
