Hey Besties! These have been on my list for a long time, and I finally found the perfect reason to make pinata cookies! New Year Eve! And I’m not talking about cookies that look like pinatas! I’m referring to cookies that are filled with sprinkles that spill out when you bite into the cookie! And because they are sprinkle-filled, they also make a cute rattle sound when you shake them! Most people have never seen cookies like this, and they are always a fun surprise. I thought these would be a super cute addition to a New Year’s party. But you could decorate these or make shapes for any celebration! Let’s bust into this pinata!
Recipes & Cutters
Before we get into this fun technique, I want to share the recipes used and the cutters I recommend. I made these pinata cookies with THIS caramel sugar cookie recipe which is insanely delicious. It’s easy with no-chill dough and the flavor is seriously yummy. For the icing, I used our go-to vanilla royal icing recipe, found HERE, which pairs perfectly with this cookie. This icing recipe has never failed me and is so easy to work with.
For cutters, I used a larger circle cutter and then a smaller one which creates the pocket in the cookie for the sprinkles. If you don’t already have a nesting set of circle cutters, this is your sign, I use them as a part of almost every cookie set. THIS set is one I recommend and will last you for many years to come. Here are photos of the cutters used as well as the three cookies you’ll make for one of these pinata cookies.
Designing Pinata Cookies
Like I said, you can make these using any shape cookie, just keep in mind you’ll need to have a hole in your middle layer cookie. You’ll also only be decorating your top layer cookie since the other two will be stacked underneath. I opted to decorate my top cookies and then assemble the pinata cookies.
For these New Year’s cookies, I decided on a fun disco ball design. First, I flooded the cookies in three colors. Then, I used THIS stencil to airbrush the disco ball design. Lastly, I used THIS stencil and royal icing to add the year on top. They turned out even cuter than I had planned in my mind! I LOVE using metallic colors when airbrushing to add that fun shimmer.
Now that the top cookies are designed, let’s talk about assembly – it’s easy!
Assembly of Pinata Cookies
To assemble these cool cookies, you’ll start with your naked bottom cookie. Pipe a ring of royal icing, which serves as our glue, on the bottom of the ring cookie and place on top of the bottom cookie. Then you’ll add your sprinkles to the center.
Finally, pipe some royal icing on top of the ring cookie and place your decorated cookie on top! Obviously, the royal icing will need to set, but that’s it! Obviously, these are big cookies once assembled, but that’s part of the fun!
I adore how these turned out with the shimmery disco balls and the sweet sound of sprinkles rattling inside. They are sure to bring a smile to any kid or cookie lover!
I hope you found this post all about pinata cookies helpful and inspire you to make some of your own!
If you haven’t already, make sure you are subscribed to receive our weekly newsletter, so you never miss out on a new recipe, technique, product recommendation or Featured Baker! Happy Baking Besties!