Festive St. Patricks Day Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Magical Green St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Sweet and festive st.

patricks day sugar cookie bars bring a touch of emerald magic to your dessert table.

These vibrant green-tinted treats sparkle with cheerful charm and buttery goodness.

Celebrating irish heritage never tasted so delightful.

Soft, chewy cookie bars deliver a delectable twist on traditional sugar cookies.

Each bite carries the spirit of st.

patrick’s day with its playful green hue and creamy texture.

Loaded with festive sprinkles and a hint of vanilla, these cookie bars will be the star of any celebration.

You’ll love how simple and delicious these treats are for your holiday gathering.

  • Festive St. Patty's Day Party Platter: Create a stunning dessert table featuring these green sugar cookie bars alongside shamrock-shaped sugar cookies and Irish cream truffles for a themed celebration.
  • Lucky Leprechaun Dessert Pairing: Serve these bars with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream or a creamy Irish coffee for an extra delightful and thematic treat that amplifies the St. Patrick's Day spirit.
  • Classroom Celebration Delight: Pack these colorful bars into individual treat bags with green ribbon ties for school parties, making them perfect for kids' St. Patrick's Day classroom celebrations or potlucks.
  • Gift-Worthy Green Goodness: Wrap bars in clear cellophane with green shamrock stickers, creating a charming homemade gift that spreads holiday cheer to friends, neighbors, or coworkers who love festive treats.
  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie bars and frosting separately up to 2 days before assembling. Keep unfrosted bars at room temperature and refrigerate frosting in a sealed container until ready to decorate.
  • Freezing Friendly Technique: Wrap individual bars or entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving, ensuring texture remains soft and delicious.
  • Smart Serving Tips: Remove bars from refrigerator 15-30 minutes before serving to allow frosting to soften slightly. Cut into clean squares using a sharp knife wiped with hot water between each slice for neat, professional-looking edges.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 265 kcal

Servings: 13

For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Softens and enriches cookies with creamy richness, select high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor and consistent texture.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden edges, choose granulated white sugar for smooth blending.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, use fresh room-temperature eggs for better integration.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth, opt for pure vanilla extract over artificial versions.
  • Almond Extract: Enhances subtle nutty flavor, use sparingly for delicate background note.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender cookie base, sift to remove lumps for smooth texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become fluffy, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, use fine table salt for even distribution.
For Frosting Components:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting, sift to prevent lumps.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps achieve creamy consistency, choose full-fat version.
  • Green Food Coloring: Provides festive St. Patrick's Day appearance, add gradually for desired shade.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out frosting flavor, use pure extract for best taste.
  • Mixing Bowl (Large): Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric Mixer: Perfect for beating butter and creating fluffy frosting.
  • 8×8 or 9×9-inch Baking Pan: Key for baking cookie bars evenly.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and easy removal of bars.
  • Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients without lumps.
  • Spatula: Useful for spreading dough and frosting evenly.
  • Measuring Cups & Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Cooling Rack: Helps bars cool quickly and maintain texture.
  • Prep the Baking Zone

Grab your baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Heat up the oven to a cozy 350F, getting everything ready for delicious cookie magic.

  • Mix the Magical Base

Cream together butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Crack in the egg and splash of vanilla, stirring until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

  • Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, creating a soft, tender dough that’ll bake into pure happiness.

  • Bake to Golden Perfection

Spread the dough evenly across your prepared pan. Slide into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and the center feels just right.

  • Whip Up Festive Frosting

Beat butter until silky smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream, creating a luscious green frosting that screams St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

  • Decorate and Celebrate

Once the bars cool completely, spread that vibrant green frosting across the top. Sprinkle with festive decorations that make your treat pop with holiday spirit. Slice into squares and enjoy your Irish-inspired dessert!

  • Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap unbaked cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking, letting the flavors develop and intensify.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookie bars safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Flavor Boost: Experiment with different extracts like Irish cream or peppermint to give these St. Patrick's Day bars a unique twist that'll surprise your guests.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with dairy-free margarine and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream to create a delicious alternative for those avoiding dairy products.
  • Decorating Creativity: Use green sugar crystals, shamrock-shaped sprinkles, or create intricate designs with royal icing to make these cookie bars truly festive and eye-catching.
Print
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Festive St. Patricks Day Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Festive St. Patricks Day Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe


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4.7 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Festive st. patricks day sugar cookie bars deliver Irish-inspired sweetness with green sprinkle excitement. Buttery cookie base and creamy frosting create a celebratory treat perfect for holiday gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) heavy cream or milk (adjust for consistency)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring
  • St. Patricks Day sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring smooth edges for easy removal.
  2. Mixing Wet Ingredients: Cream butter and sugar until light and airy, then blend in egg, vanilla, and almond extracts to create a smooth liquid base.
  3. Combining Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together to eliminate lumps and ensure even distribution.
  4. Creating Cookie Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, maintaining a tender texture and avoiding overmixing.
  5. Baking Process: Spread dough evenly in prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a set center.
  6. Cooling: Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack to preserve optimal texture.
  7. Frosting Preparation: Whip butter until smooth, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream, beating until light and fluffy.
  8. Decorating: Add green food coloring to frosting, spread evenly over cooled cookie bars using an offset spatula, and sprinkle with festive St. Patrick’s Day decorations.
  9. Serving: Slice into neat squares, creating uniform servings ready for celebration or personal enjoyment.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to maintain a tender, soft cookie bar texture without developing tough gluten strands.
  • Temperature Control: Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, even incorporation and consistent baking results.
  • Precise Baking Time: Watch closely during the 18-22 minute baking window, checking for golden-brown edges and a set center to avoid dry or undercooked bars.
  • Cooling Technique: Let cookie bars cool completely on a wire rack to prevent moisture buildup and maintain the ideal crisp-yet-soft texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 265
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 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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