St Patrick sugar cookies! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re miniature celebrations of all things green and gold. They remind me of childhood parades, searching for four leaf clovers in the backyard, and the pure joy of a holiday filled with whimsy. Get ready for a delightful baking adventure as we create these adorable and delicious treats.
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These St Patrick sugar cookies are the perfect way to share the spirit of the holiday with family and friends. I absolutely love baking these every year.
Why You Will Love This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
You’ll fall head over heels for this St Patrick sugar cookies recipe because it combines classic sugar cookie deliciousness with a touch of Irish charm. These leprechaun themed cookies are surprisingly easy to make, even with the decorating. Plus, the buttery, vanilla flavor is simply divine, and the vibrant green frosting is a guaranteed hit.
I remember one year my daughter accidentally added way too much green food coloring, and we ended up with Hulk St. Patrick sugar cookies. Everyone loved the story!
These cookies are perfect for lunch boxes, party favors, or just a fun afternoon activity. It’s a simple recipe, so even beginner bakers can enjoy the process. If you’re looking for another fun St Patrick’s Day treats, check out this recipe for St Patrick Snack Mix 2.
Ingredients Needed for This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to create these festive leprechaun themed cookies:
For the Sugar Cookie Dough:
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6 8 tablespoons warm water
- Gel food coloring (green, gold, and any other desired colors)
How to Make This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
Let’s get baking! Here’s how to create these delightful St Patrick sugar cookies:
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a larger bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use St. Patrick’s Day themed cookie cutters (shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold) to cut out the cookies. Learn how to make these Festive St Patrick Cookies with similar themes.
- Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. These are similar baking times to these Valentine Sugar Cookies.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing: In a large bowl, beat together the powdered sugar and meringue powder.
- Gradually add the warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until the icing reaches a smooth, pipeable consistency.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint each bowl with your desired gel food coloring colors.
- Transfer the icings to piping bags fitted with small round tips.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with the royal icing. Let the icing dry completely before serving or storing.
How to Serve This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
These cookies are fantastic on their own, but here are some serving ideas:
- Arrange them beautifully on a platter for a St Patrick’s Day party.
- Serve them with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of Irish coffee.
- Package them in cellophane bags as adorable party favors or gifts.
How to Store This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
To keep your St Patrick sugar cookies fresh and delicious:
- Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- They will stay fresh for up to a week.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the un-iced cookies. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- The icing can be made ahead of time and stored at room temperature for one to two days. It will need to be remixed.
Tips to Make This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
Here are some tips for baking success:
- Use room temperature butter for the cookie dough to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
- For perfectly shaped cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- If you don’t have meringue powder, you can use fresh egg whites for the royal icing, but be sure to use pasteurized egg whites.
Helpful Notes for This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
A few extra notes to ensure success:
- Meringue powder can be found in most baking supply stores or online.
- Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors, but liquid food coloring can be used as well.
- If the royal icing is too thick, add a drop or two of water at a time to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add a spoonful of powdered sugar at a time to thicken it.
Variation of This St Patrick sugar cookies Recipe
Want to mix things up? Here are a few variations:
- Add a touch of mint extract to the cookie dough for a refreshing twist.
- Use different flavored extracts, such as almond or lemon, for a unique flavor profile.
- Decorate the cookies with sprinkles, edible glitter, or other festive toppings.
What makes St Patrick sugar cookies special?
St Patrick sugar cookies are special because they are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday, often decorated with green and gold designs. They bring a touch of whimsy and tradition to any gathering or celebration.
How do I decorate St Patrick sugar cookies?
You can decorate them with green and white icing, shamrock sprinkles, edible glitter, or even small candy gold coins. Get creative with your designs to make them visually appealing and festive!
Can I freeze St Patrick sugar cookies?
Yes, you can freeze both baked and unbaked St Patrick sugar cookies! Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in an airtight container. Frozen dough should be thawed completely before baking.
What are some variations I can make to the recipe?
Consider adding a hint of almond extract to the dough for a unique flavor, or using different food colorings to create a rainbow effect. You could also add mini chocolate chips!
Conclusion
These St Patrick sugar cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a celebration of joy and good fortune. Gather your family, preheat the oven, and let the baking adventure begin. I know you’ll love creating these whimsical and delicious St Patrick sugar cookies. Happy baking, and happy St Patrick’s Day!
St Patrick Sugar Cookies: Easiest Leprechaun Treats EVER!
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Festive and delicious St Patrick sugar cookies, perfect for celebrating the holiday with a touch of Irish charm. These leprechaun themed cookies are surprisingly easy to make!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flourn1 teaspoon baking powdern1/2 teaspoon saltn1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softenedn1 1/2 cups granulated sugarn2 large eggsn1 teaspoon vanilla extractnnFor the Royal Icing:n4 cups powdered sugarn3 tablespoons meringue powdern6 8 tablespoons warm waternGel food coloring (green, gold, and any other desired colors)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.nIn a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.nIn a larger bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.nBeat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.nGradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!nRoll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.nUse St. Patrick’s Day themed cookie cutters (shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold) to cut out the cookies.nPlace the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.nBake for 8 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.nLet the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.nWhile the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing: In a large bowl, beat together the powdered sugar and meringue powder.nGradually add the warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until the icing reaches a smooth, pipeable consistency.nDivide the icing into separate bowls and tint each bowl with your desired gel food coloring colors.nTransfer the icings to piping bags fitted with small round tips.nDecorate the cooled cookies with the royal icing. Let the icing dry completely before serving or storing.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: St Patrick's Day, sugar cookies, leprechaun themed cookies, holiday cookies