Festive St. Patricks Day Cookies Recipe

Magical Green Shamrock Treats: Fun St. Patricks Day Cookies Recipe

Green and golden crumbs of pure delight dance across this festive st.

patricks day cookies that sparkle with Irish spirit.

Buttery, soft, and loaded with festive cheer, these treats promise to brighten any celebration.

Shamrock-inspired details make each bite a whimsical journey through traditional flavors.

Bakers of all skill levels can craft these delectable sweets with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

The recipe combines classic sugar cookie elements with playful green-tinted frosting and charming decorations.

Sweet memories and joyful moments await when you pull these cookies from the oven.

Gather your mixing bowls and let the baking magic begin.

Serve Easy St. Patricks Day Cookies With Color

  • Festive Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a green-themed tray with shamrock-shaped decorations to create a stunning St. Patrick's Day display that instantly catches everyone's eye.
  • Lucky Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside Irish coffee or green-tinted milk for kids, creating a thematic treat that brings holiday spirit to your sweet moment.
  • Gifting Green Delight: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with emerald green ribbons, perfect for sharing with friends, coworkers, or classroom celebrations.
  • Brunch Accent Treat: Add these cookies as a charming side to morning pancakes or as a festive addition to a St. Patrick's Day brunch spread, bringing extra cheer to the table.

Storing Easy St. Patricks Day Cookies The Easy Way

  • Cookie Storage Solutions: Keep Freshness Locked In
  • Cool Down Strategy: Allow cookies to reach room temperature completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup and soggy texture.
  • Airtight Container Magic: Transfer cooled cookies into sealed containers with tight-fitting lids, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain crispness.
  • Refrigeration Wisdom: Store decorated cookies with white chocolate drizzle in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring they're covered to prevent absorbing other food odors.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, place in freezer bags, and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 25

What Goes Into Easy St. Patricks Day Cookies

For Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your cookie structure, ensuring a tender and soft texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, airy consistency with a subtle golden color.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the cookie.
For Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a perfect golden-brown exterior.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's structure and richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Delivers a warm, classic flavor that complements the sweet base.
For Festive Decoration:
  • Green Sprinkles: Adds a vibrant St. Patrick's Day touch and creates a festive, playful appearance.
  • Green M&Ms: Provides a colorful, chocolatey accent that screams holiday spirit.
  • White Chocolate: Optional drizzle that creates an elegant, decorative finish with a smooth, sweet coating.

Tools You’ll Need For Easy St. Patricks Day Cookies

  • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
  • Large Mixing Bowls: One for wet ingredients, another for dry ingredients to keep everything organized.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for precise ingredient measurements.
  • Baking Sheet: Lined with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and clean-up.
  • Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Spatula: Helpful for scraping bowl sides and mixing dough.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Optional Piping Bag or Spoon: For drizzling melted white chocolate if decorating.

How To Bake Easy St. Patricks Day Cookies Fast

  • Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350F and grab a parchment paper to line your baking sheet, creating a perfect stage for your festive treats.

  • Create A Creamy Base

Grab your mixer and whip butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud, blending until they transform into a dreamy, light mixture that promises deliciousness.

  • Build Your Cookie Foundation

Gently fold in an egg and splash of vanilla, stirring until everything melds together into a smooth, promising batter.

  • Craft Your Cookie Dough

Combine flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt, then slowly marry these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, watching a perfect dough emerge.

  • Shape And Sprinkle Magic

Roll your dough into adorable little balls, then give them a festive St. Patrick’s Day twist by either rolling in green sprinkles or pressing a green candy into each cookie’s center.

  • Bake To Perfection

Arrange your cookie balls with some breathing room on the baking sheet, then slide into the oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a gentle golden brown.

  • Final Flourish

Let your cookies cool briefly, then if you’re feeling extra fancy, drizzle some melted white chocolate for a stunning finishing touch.

Fun Tips For Easy St. Patricks Day Cookies

  • Perfect Texture Tricks: Use room temperature butter for smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that creates a softer texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for 2 months to have festive treats ready anytime.
  • Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend to make these cookies safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Variation: Substitute butter with dairy-free margarine, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and choose vegan-friendly white chocolate for a plant-based version of these St. Patrick's Day treats.
  • Decoration Creativity: Try different green decorations like green candy melts, green sugar crystals, or even green food coloring in the white chocolate drizzle to amp up the festive spirit.
Print
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Festive St. Patricks Day Cookies Recipe

Festive St. Patricks Day Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Lucky leprechaun shortbread cookies from Ireland blend buttery richness with festive green sprinkles. Emerald-tinted treats promise delightful St. Patrick’s Day celebrations you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
  • Green sprinkles
  • M&Ms
  • White chocolate

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal baking conditions.
  2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
  3. Wet Ingredients: Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to ensure flavor uniformity.
  4. Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl to eliminate lumps and create a consistent dry ingredient blend.
  5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
  6. Cookie Shaping: Craft one-inch dough balls, rolling in green sprinkles or pressing green M&Ms into the surface for festive St. Patrick’s Day decoration.
  7. Baking Process: Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing, then bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
  8. Finishing Touch: Allow cookies to cool briefly, then optionally drizzle with melted white chocolate for an additional decorative element.

Notes

  • Butter Temperature Matters: Use softened butter at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and optimal cookie texture.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold dry ingredients gently to prevent tough cookies; overmixing develops excess gluten that creates dense, chewy results.
  • Sprinkle Placement Strategy: Add green sprinkles or M&Ms just before baking to ensure they stick and maintain vibrant color during the baking process.
  • Cooling Crucial Step: Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to prevent breaking and help them set properly.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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