If you still don’t know what to make for your Cinco de Mayo bash, we’ve got you covered. Sure, the margaritas are a given, but since you’ll need something to soak up the libations, these surprise piñata cookies are guaranteed to please.
The piñata sugar cookies are frosted together in sets of threes. The middle sugar cookie has a hollow center that you can fill with a secret candy “prize” — we suggest mini M&Ms. Just like a real piñata, candy will come pouring out when guests take their first bite of the piñata cookies. These creative treats will get the party started without having to use a blindfold or a stick. Olé!
A great idea for a Cinco de Mayo dessert
These piñata sugar cookies are perfect for Cinco de Mayo and Mexican fiestas.
Piñata cookies, just in time for Cinco de Mayo
Learn how to make these adorable piñata sugar cookies.
There’s a sweet treat inside!
Break open or bite into the cookie to get the candy prize inside.
Finding the right sugar cookie container
Find a plastic container similar in size to your donkey/burro piñata cookie cutter.
Line with plastic wrap
Line container with plastic wrap for easy removal of the dough later.
Festive food coloring
You will need a few colors of food coloring, including black. Gel food coloring works best for intense colors.
Separate the dough and add color
Split dough into five, even-sized balls and one smaller ball (the black). Add food coloring to each.
Colorful sugar cookie dough
Now your dough is ready to be layered into the container.
Layering the cookie dough
Split colored dough balls in half (except the black) and begin layering in the container. Start with black and alternate.
Cover and freeze the dough
Cover the layered sugar cookie dough and freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
Remove and unwrap the dough
Remove the dough from the container and unwrap from the plastic.
Slice the dough
Cut into slices, approximately 1/4-inch wide.
Place slices on a lined baking sheet
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the sugar cookies
Bake the colorful cookies at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
Burro cookie cutter
Locate your burro cookie cutter.
Cut the dough with the cookie cutter
Immediately after removing from the oven, use your burro cookie cutter to cut the cookie shapes.
Don’t forget the hooves!
Make sure you line up the bottom of the cookie cutter with the black dough layer to get "hooves."
Hollow out the middle cookie
Cut off the ears and legs and cut out the center where the M&Ms will go. (We used a small, square cutter.)
Let the piñata cookies cool
Let the cookies cool slightly (not completely!) before you move them and remove the excess, outer cookie.
Time to assemble the piñata cookies
To assemble, take the first piñata cookie and lay it upside down so that the baked bottom is facing up.
Make a simple frosting for the ‘glue’
Make simple frosting to use as glue (try 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons of milk).
Choose your piñata cookie candy
Locate the candy you want to include in the middle of your piñata cookies, like mini M&Ms.
Frost one piñata cookie
Outline the center of the piñata body with frosting — try using a Ziploc bag with one corner cut off to make it easy.
Set the middle piñata cookie next
Put the middle cookie on top of the frosting glue.
Fill the hallowed portion with candies
Add the candy.
Frost the next layer of the piñata cookie
Add another layer of frosting.
Place the final piñata cookie
Place the opposite-cut piñata cookie on top (pretty side facing out). Let sit and harden for at least 30 minutes.
Completed, festive piñata sugar cookie
Bueno trabajo! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
The M&Ms inside a piñata cookie
Everyone can't wait to get to the candy prize inside.
Updated by Bethany Ramos on 4/18/2016
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