Get ready to bring a burst of charm and color to your holiday table with these St. Patrick’s Day Cookies! These soft, buttery treats are absolutely irresistible thanks to vanilla, a hint of almond, and those whimsical pops of white chocolate and green sprinkles. Whether you’re hosting a St celebration or just want a fun baking project, these cookies capture the spirit of the occasion in every bite and are perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed by how a handful of simple pantry staples turn into something so festive and joyful! Each ingredient in this St recipe brings something important, whether it’s flavor, structure, or a brilliant green hue that makes the cookies pop.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives our cookies their chewy, classic texture.
- Baking soda: Guarantees a slight lift and lovely tenderness in each cookie.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and liven up all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture—make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming!
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens things up and helps create that irresistible, lightly crisped edge.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for a dough that’s easy to scoop.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and classic bakery aroma—don’t skip it!
- Almond extract (optional): For a sweet, nutty twist; a little goes a long way.
- Green food coloring: The magical secret to achieving that signature St. Patrick’s Day glow.
- White chocolate chips: Creamy, melty pockets of sweetness that contrast beautifully with the cookie’s green color.
- Green sprinkles or sanding sugar: Add vibrant sparkle and crunch for a celebration-worth treat.
- Mini shamrock sprinkles (optional): For extra St flair and a playful finishing touch.
How to Make St
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Gather Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This small bit of prep work ensures your St cookies bake evenly and release with no trouble at all. It’s also the perfect moment to grab every ingredient and measure out what you need—you’ll enjoy the process so much more when everything’s at your fingertips!
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This quick mix evenly distributes the leavening and salt, setting the scene for a perfectly fluffy but tender cookie base. It may seem like a tiny step, but it makes a world of difference in the texture of your final St masterpiece.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy—this should take about 2 to 3 minutes. The creaming step is key for those soft, melt-in-your-mouth St cookies, so don’t rush it. The mixture should visibly lighten in color and gain a soft, whipped texture.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients and Color
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it) to the creamed butter mixture. Next, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the color is bright, cheerful, and exactly as you want it. This is where your St cookies come to life, so feel free to adjust the shade to match the festivities—light mint or bold emerald, it’s up to you!
Step 5: Combine and Add Mix-Ins
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix; you want a tender crumb! Fold in the white chocolate chips and green sprinkles with a spatula, distributing all that goodness through the dough for evenly flavorful and eye-catching St treats.
Step 6: Portion and Bake
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Pop them in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges look set and the centers are still a bit soft. This balance keeps your St cookies chewy and bakery-perfect. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
How to Serve St
Garnishes
Once your cookies have cooled, it’s time to get creative! For that extra St sparkle, press a few white chocolate chips or shamrock-shaped sprinkles onto the tops of the cookies just after baking. You can even dust them with a little extra sanding sugar for a shimmering finish—it’s guaranteed to catch every guest’s eye.
Side Dishes
Pair these playful cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cozy cup of tea, or even a frosty Irish coffee for the adults! St is all about celebration, so these cookies also look great alongside fresh fruit platters or a big bowl of green grapes for a cheerful, themed dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your St cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with green ribbon for adorable party favors, or arrange them on a festive tray surrounded by gold foil-wrapped chocolates. Take it up a notch by using them as edible place cards at your holiday table—write guest names on small tags and attach with a shamrock sticker for an extra-special touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These cookies are just as delightful the next day! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. You’ll find the flavors mellow and marry beautifully over time, making your St celebration last even longer.
Freezing
If you’d like to prepare ahead, the unbaked cookie dough can be portioned onto baking sheets and frozen until solid, then transferred to a zip-top bag for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, just place the frozen dough balls on a tray and add an extra minute or two to the baking time for fresh, hot St cookies on demand.
Reheating
If your cookies have lost a bit of their just-baked warmth, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for three to five minutes. They’ll come out soft and fragrant, as if you’ve just pulled them from the oven for your St gathering.
FAQs
Can I make these St cookies without almond extract?
Absolutely! The almond extract is optional—it adds a subtle nutty note, but if you prefer a classic sugar cookie flavor or have allergies, just leave it out. Your St cookies will still be delicious and festive.
What’s the best way to get a deep green color?
Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant results without making the dough too wet. Start with a small amount and mix in more as needed until you have the perfect St hue you want. Liquid drops work too; just keep an eye on the dough’s texture.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?
Absolutely! A hand mixer works perfectly for creaming the butter and sugar, and for blending the wet ingredients. Just be sure to finish folding in the mix-ins gently by hand for the best St dough texture.
How do I keep the cookies soft?
Don’t overbake! Pull your cookies from the oven when the edges are set and the centers still look a little soft. They’ll finish baking as they cool, giving you that ideal chewy, soft St cookie.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. The texture may be slightly different, but the cookies will still taste fabulous for your St feast.
Final Thoughts
Baking these St. Patrick’s Day Cookies is such a heartwarming and easy way to add fun to any celebration—plus, they taste as cheerful as they look! Gather your friends or family, roll up your sleeves, and watch as these delightful St cookies disappear in no time. Give them a try this season and share the good luck (and sweetness) with everyone!
Print
St Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these delightful green sugar cookies loaded with white chocolate chips and festive sprinkles. Perfect for bringing a touch of luck to your holiday celebrations!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Green food coloring
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup green sprinkles or sanding sugar
- Optional: mini shamrock sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix in green food coloring.
- Combine and Bake: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Fold in white chocolate chips and green sprinkles. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes. Cool before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra festivity, press a few extra white chocolate chips or shamrock sprinkles on top of the cookies right after baking.
- The almond extract adds a nice flavor twist but can be omitted for a classic sugar cookie taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
