The fan-favorite collaborators are back together, transforming Milk Bar’s iconic Birthday Cake flavor into an all-new, crispy Taco Bell dessert, available nationwide beginning October 15 for a limited time.

• Taco Bell and Milk Bar are reuniting for another sweet collaboration with the all-new Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada, which packs the thrill of birthdays into an empanada, so fans can make everyday moments worth celebrating.
• The Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada transforms Milk Bar’s iconic Birthday Cake flavor into a crispy, golden Taco Bell empanada topped with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles.
• First teased at Live Más LIVE, the Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada makes its nationwide debut October 15 for a limited time, made to be enjoyed anytime you feel like celebrating.
• For a limited time, Taco Bell is giving Rewards Members the chance to choose between a limited-time Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada or Mountain Dew Baja Blast® Freeze as their birthday reward from October 15 through October 28.
• Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada assets can be found here.

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Taco Bell and Milk Bar are back for another sweet collaboration, folding Milk Bar’s iconic Birthday Cake flavor into the all-new Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada. The two treat-obsessed brands are serving up all the thrill of birthdays in a crispy, craveable Taco Bell favorite format, giving fans a reason to celebrate, whether it’s a birthday, a little win, or simply “just because.”

First announced at Live Más LIVE 2026, the Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada will be available nationwide beginning October 15 for a limited time at participating Taco Bell restaurants, while supplies last.

Birthday Cake, Meet Empanada
Milk Bar’s iconic Birthday Cake flavor is taking on a whole new form as a crispy, golden Taco Bell dessert empanada, complete with cake batter-flavored filling, pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles, all served in custom packaging made for the occasion and available for $3.49*.

“Our fans have shown us they love seeing familiar flavors show up on the Taco Bell menu in exciting ways, and that’s what makes partnering with Milk Bar so great,” said Liz Matthews, Global Chief Food Innovation Officer at Taco Bell. “The Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada lets us take an iconic Birthday Cake flavor and reimagine it as a crispy Taco Bell treat that’s nostalgic, unexpected and made for celebrating everyday moments.”

Two Sweet Legacies, One Reason to Celebrate
Taco Bell and Milk Bar have continued to push the possibilities of dessert innovation together, starting with the Strawberry Bell Truffles in 2022, which paired Milk Bar’s signature Cake Truffles with pieces of Taco Bell’s iconic Crunchy Taco Shell. In 2025, the brands reunited for Birthday Cake Churros, bringing Milk Bar’s nostalgic Birthday Cake flavor to warm, crispy churros filled with birthday cake frosting and topped with pink confetti sprinkles. Now, the Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada builds on that shared creative history, finding another unexpected way to bring a familiar flavor to the Taco Bell menu.  

“Our Birthday Cake has always been about making people feel celebrated, so getting to dream up a totally new way for fans to experience it with Taco Bell was such a fun creative challenge,” said Christina Tosi, Chef and Founder of Milk Bar. “What I love most is seeing a flavor people know so well show up in a way they never expected. The best part is you don’t need a birthday to enjoy it. It’s the perfect treat whether you’re celebrating something big or small, and we can’t wait for fans to try it.”

Taco Bell Rewards Members celebrating their birthday while the empanada is on menus – who have also added their birthday to their profile – can choose between a free limited-time Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada or a regular Mountain Dew Baja Blast® Freeze as their birthday reward at participating locations while supplies last**.

The Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada is the latest chapter in Taco Bell’s growing dessert innovation story. Through playful creations and collaborations, Taco Bell is bringing unexpected ideas to the menu and making every day a little more celebration-worthy.

*At participating locations for a limited time only, while supplies last. Contact restaurant for prices, hours and participation, which vary. Taxes extra. Prices higher with delivery. Packaging may vary. 

**Reward valid for 31 days from issuance and redeemable only via the Taco Bell mobile app at participating U.S. Taco Bell® locations, while supplies last. Not available with a web pay-ahead, pickup order or delivery orders unless placed on Taco Bell app. Valid for one (1) Regular Mountain Dew® Baja Blast® Freeze or for a Milk Bar® Birthday Cake Empanada only from 10/15-10/28 while supplies last. Purchase not required for redemption. No product or ingredient substitutions, upgrades or add-ons. Reward is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one (1) reward per transaction. All beverage-related trademarks are owned by PepsiCo, Inc. and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries. Terms and conditions apply https://www.tacobell.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use.

About Taco Bell Corp.
Since 1962, Taco Bell has brought innovative, craveable Mexican-inspired food to generations of fans. As one of the world’s leading restaurant brands, Taco Bell serves millions of customers each week across nearly 10,000 restaurants in more than 40 countries. Known for its cultural impact, fan-first mindset, and history of defying expectations, Taco Bell has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies and one of TIME’s Most Influential Companies. For more information about Taco Bell, visit www.TacoBell.com and www.TacoBell.com/news. Stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and YouTube.

About Milk Bar
Milk Bar is a sweet shop that’s been turning familiar treats upside down since 2008. Founded by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Christina Tosi, Milk Bar first opened its doors in NYC’s East Village and has developed a loyal fanbase in the eighteen years since. Named one of the most innovative companies in the world by Fast Company in 2022, Milk Bar is currently available across 12 bakery locations in NYC, LA, Washington DC, Las Vegas, Seattle and Chicago, and ships treats nationwide through an eCommerce care package platform, and most recently launched a line of grocery products, available nationwide in major retailers. Milk Bar is also available on demand in various cities across the country in partnership with delivery providers such as DoorDash. For more information, visit milkbarstore.com.

Jacqueline Cisneros – Taco Bell Corp.
Jacqueline.Cisneros@yum.com

Kaitlyn Hannah – Edelman
kaitlyn.hannah@edelman.com

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SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.