If you’re searching for a festive treat that practically shouts “holiday spirit,” look no further than these St. Patrick’s Day Cookies! Packed with vibrant color, a touch of almond fragrance, and the irresistible charm of green sprinkles, this recipe is my go-to for celebrating St with family and friends. Whether you’re making them with little kitchen helpers or baking a cheerful tray to share at work, these soft, sugary cookies bring the magic of March right to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t need anything complicated to put these together—just classic pantry staples, a few flavorful extracts, and your favorite green decorations. Each ingredient in this St. Patrick’s Day cookie recipe adds a special touch, from buttery richness to a celebratory color that stands out.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the base for structure and softness in every bite.
- Baking soda: Ensures just the right amount of rise so your cookies are light and tender.
- Baking powder: Adds a little more lift for a perfectly cakey texture.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Gives the cookies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture—make sure it’s soft for best results.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create that delightfully crisp edge.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for a cohesive, moist dough.
- Vanilla extract: Lends a classic, sweet aroma that pairs perfectly with the cookie base.
- Almond extract: Adds a subtle, nutty note; just a bit elevates the flavor to “wow.”
- Milk: Keeps the dough supple and helps blend in the food coloring seamlessly.
- Green food coloring: Bring your St. Patrick’s Day cookies to life—add more or less for a shade that fits your mood!
- Assorted green sprinkles or sanding sugar: For decorating, adding sparkle and crunch that truly captures the spirit of St.
How to Make St
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep cookies from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze. This little bit of prep sets your whole St baking experience up for success!
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that everything is evenly distributed, so your cookies rise perfectly and every bite has just the right balance.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is the foundation of your St. Patrick’s Day cookies: it traps air to give you a soft interior and golden edges.
Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, blending until everything is silky-smooth. The vanilla and almond scents, combined with the creamy dough, make your kitchen smell like a dream!
Step 5: Incorporate Milk and Green Food Coloring
Pour in the milk and add a few drops of green food coloring, mixing until you achieve a beautifully even color. Feel free to adjust the shade depending on how bold you want your St cookies to look—there’s no such thing as too much green here!
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing just until combined. Resist the urge to overmix—stir just enough to bring everything together for those perfectly soft cookies that shout “St” with every bite.
Step 7: Shape and Decorate
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into balls, and space them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheets. Gently flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass, then shower with green sprinkles or sanding sugar to capture that festive St vibe.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges look set but the centers are still soft and tender. Let your cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack—the hardest part is waiting, but it’s worth it!
How to Serve St
Garnishes
Top your St. Patrick’s Day cookies with more green and gold sprinkles or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for that wow factor. A mix of sanding sugar and rainbow confetti can add even more St cheer to every batch—go wild and make them as festive as you like!
Side Dishes
These cookies shine beside a mug of Irish breakfast tea or a tall glass of cold milk. If you’re planning a full St spread, serve them alongside mint brownies or lime bars for a dessert table that’s bursting with color and delicious variety.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your St. Patrick’s Day cookies in a shamrock shape on a platter for extra holiday flair! Or, wrap a few in clear cellophane bags tied with green ribbon as sweet party favors. For a truly unforgettable display, stack them in a “pot of gold” candy bowl surrounded by chocolate coins.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place cooled St. Patrick’s Day cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to five days—perfect for popping into lunchboxes or snacking whenever the St cravings hit!
Freezing
These festive cookies freeze like a dream. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. St cookies will keep their texture and flavor for up to two months, making them a great make-ahead treat!
Reheating
If you love your cookies warm, you can reheat a few on a microwave-safe plate for about 10 seconds. Just enough to bring back that fresh-baked softness without drying out your St. Patrick’s Day cookies. Enjoying them this way is almost like baking them all over again!
FAQs
Can I use different extracts for a twist?
Absolutely! While almond and vanilla give a classic flavor, a tiny bit of peppermint extract can make your St cookies even more seasonally festive. Just keep any added extracts to half a teaspoon so the flavors stay balanced.
What if I don’t have green food coloring?
No worries! You can still enjoy delicious cookies without the color, or try using another shade to match any celebration. Of course, green is essential for true St fun, so pick some up when you can!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Mix up the dough, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before shaping and baking your St. Patrick’s Day cookies.
Do these cookies spread a lot in the oven?
They spread just enough for a soft, chewy bite with a gentle crisp edge. Flatten them slightly before baking to get that picture-perfect St bakery look.
Is it okay to use salted butter?
If you only have salted butter, simply reduce the added salt in the recipe by half. The final result will still deliver plenty of St. Patrick’s Day joy—no need to rush out for unsalted!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for the perfect easy cookie to celebrate St, this is the one! Just grab your mixing bowl, your favorite sprinkles, and invite everyone into the kitchen. One bite, and you’ll want to make these St cookies every year!
Print
St Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these delightful green sugar cookies that are perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday dessert spread.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
- Green food coloring
- Assorted green sprinkles or sanding sugar for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix in the milk and green food coloring until evenly blended.
- Combine and Scoop: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and place on baking sheets.
- Flatten and Decorate: Flatten the dough slightly with a glass and decorate with sprinkles.
- Bake: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of green food coloring for a lighter or darker shade.
- For extra flavor, add a touch of peppermint extract.
- These cookies freeze well for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
