Piñata cookie

A piñata cookie is a sugar cookie that is shaped and colored like a piñata and filled with various small candies which spill out when the cookie is broken.[1][2] Piñata cookies may be multicolored, which involves preparing separate batches of cookie dough and dyeing them different colors.[1] The dough is then layered into a loaf with the various colors being separated[1] A cookie cutter may be used to create various shapes.[3] After the cookies are baked, they are further prepared by creating a hollow pocket, inside which the fillings are placed.[3] They may be filled with candies, such as miniature M&Ms candy, chocolate buttons,[1] or other ingredients. They are then sealed using frosting. Piñata cookies are sometimes prepared for Cinco de Mayo.[1][4] Common ingredients in the dough's preparation include flour, vegetable oil, butter, sugar, powdered sugar, eggs, cream of tartar, vanilla, salt, food coloring and baking soda.[1]

A Piñata cookie being assembled

The piñata cookie was invented by Sandra Denneler in 2011, the recipe going viral online the next year.[5] Similar desserts with a piñata-style filling include cakes, cupcakes and ice cream cones.[6]