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If you want a festive, cheerful treat that instantly brightens any St. Patrick’s Day celebration, you have to try this Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies Recipe. Bursting with soft, buttery sweetness, a pop of white chocolate chips, and colorful sprinkles, these cookies are not only delightful to the eye but incredibly simple to make. Whether you’re baking with kids or just craving a charming holiday dessert, this recipe delivers warm, soft cookies with just the right hint of festive green, guaranteed to bring smiles around the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward, but each plays an important role to create the perfect texture, flavor, and color in your Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies Recipe. The butter ensures richness and tenderness, while the combination of granulated and brown sugars brings subtle caramel notes. Flour and cornstarch lend softness, and the festive green food coloring makes these treats pop with holiday spirit.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides creamy richness and a tender crumb to your cookies.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s texture by creating lightness when creamed with butter.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed: Brings deep, molasses-like flavor and extra moisture for softness.
- 2 large eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the sweet flavors with its warm, aromatic profile.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for your dough, giving shape and stability.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just the right amount, keeping them soft yet fluffy.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the cookie’s flavors.
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch: An expert trick for extra softness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid): The star ingredient to give these cookies their festive St. Patrick’s Day look.
- 1 cup white chocolate chips: Adds gooey pockets of creamy sweetness in every bite.
- ½ cup St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles: For that fun, colorful crunch and festive appeal.
How to Make Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to keep those cookies from sticking and to help them bake evenly. This small prep step really makes all the difference.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process is key to incorporating air, giving your cookies that wonderful soft texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs & Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract for an irresistible aroma and flavor foundation. This step packs the dough with richness and moisture.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, blending until everything comes together in a smooth dough without overmixing. This ensures your cookies stay soft and tender.
Step 5: Add Food Coloring & Mix-ins
Now for some festive fun! Add your green food coloring a little at a time until you achieve that perfect vibrant St. Patrick’s Day shade. Then gently fold in the white chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles to sprinkle joy into every cookie.
Step 6: Scoop & Bake
Using a rounded tablespoon, drop dough balls evenly spaced onto your prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the cookie centers remain soft. Your kitchen will instantly fill with the most comforting aroma.
Step 7: Cool & Serve
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack. This waiting time helps avoid breakage and keeps them wonderfully chewy. Now, it’s time to enjoy these festive treats with a smile!
How to Serve Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To make these cookies extra special, try dusting them lightly with edible gold glitter or adding a tiny dollop of frosting piped in the shape of shamrocks. Fresh mint leaves on the side can also add a surprisingly refreshing touch to the presentation and flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of Irish tea or a frothy mug of hot chocolate. You can also set them alongside a platter of fresh fruit or soft Irish cheddar for a delightful mix of sweet and savory snacks.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not arrange the cookies in the shape of a four-leaf clover on a festive platter? Wrapping a few in colorful cellophane tied with green ribbon makes for adorable party favors. You can also stack them on a tiered dessert stand for an eye-catching holiday centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days, making it easy to enjoy them beyond the holiday itself.
Freezing
If you want to bake in advance, you can freeze the dough balls individually on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or container. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time for perfect cookies anytime.
Reheating
For that just-baked warmth, pop cookies in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for 3-4 minutes. The white chocolate chips will soften beautifully, reviving that fresh-baked feeling with no fuss.
FAQs
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Regular semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips will work fine and add a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile. Just keep in mind the visual contrast will change.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum should work well. The texture might vary slightly, but the festive spirit will remain just as strong.
How do I adjust the recipe for a bigger batch?
Simply multiply all the ingredients by the desired number of batches. Just be sure your mixing bowl is large enough and give yourself some extra baking sheets for multiple batches in the oven.
Can I substitute the cornstarch with something else?
If you don’t have cornstarch, tapioca starch or arrowroot powder can be good alternatives to help keep the cookies soft and tender.
What’s the best way to prevent the green food coloring from staining my hands?
Use gel-based coloring if possible, as it’s less runny and less likely to stain. Wearing disposable gloves while mixing or handling the dough can also keep your hands clean and free from green dye.
Final Thoughts
Making these Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies Recipe is such a joyful way to celebrate the holiday with loved ones, blending simplicity and festivity in every bite. Once you try this recipe, you’ll find yourself reaching for it year after year, making memories that are just as sweet as the cookies themselves. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and infuse your kitchen with a bit of Irish cheer today!
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Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these festive and easy-to-make green cookies featuring white chocolate chips and fun sprinkles. Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these cookies are a delightful treat for the holiday.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for extra softness)
Add-ins & Decorations
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid), to desired shade
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a smooth base for your cookie dough.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Gradually blend this mixture into the wet ingredients until a uniform dough forms.
- Add Food Coloring & Mix-ins: Stir green food coloring into the dough until you reach your desired shade of green. Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop & Bake: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them adequately. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool & Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy your festive St. Patrick’s Day cookies!
Notes
- For a more intense green color, use gel food coloring rather than liquid.
- Do not overbake; cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a softer cookie, slightly underbake and let cool fully on the pan.
- White chocolate chips can be substituted with green candy melts for a different texture and flavor.
