These Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies are festive, fun, and perfect for celebrating! Whether you’re making green sugar cookies, lucky shamrock-shaped treats, or soft cookies with sprinkles, this recipe is simple, delicious, and great for parties, bake sales, or family fun.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – No complicated techniques, just mix, bake, and decorate!
- Festive & Fun – Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- Customizable – Use different flavors, colors, and toppings.
- Kid-Friendly – A fun baking activity for little ones.
- Great for Any Occasion – Ideal for parties, gifts, or a sweet treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cookies:
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Green food coloring
Optional Decorations:
- Green sprinkles
- White or green icing
- Gold sugar or edible glitter
- Chocolate chips or white chocolate drizzle
Directions
Make the Cookie Dough:
- Preheat Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter & Sugar – In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg & Vanilla – Mix in egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet & Dry – Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a dough forms.
- Color the Dough – Add green food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
Shape & Bake:
- Form Cookies – Roll into balls for round cookies or use shamrock-shaped cookie cutters.
- Decorate Before Baking (Optional) – Add sprinkles or press chocolate chips into the dough.
- Bake – Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft.
- Cool – Let cool completely before adding icing or more decorations.
Decorate & Serve:
- Add Icing or Drizzle – Decorate with green icing, white chocolate drizzle, or gold sprinkles.
- Enjoy! – Serve fresh or store for later.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 18-24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
Variations
- Leprechaun Sprinkle Cookies – Mix green and gold sprinkles into the dough.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies – Add mint extract and chocolate chips.
- Shamrock Cut-Out Cookies – Roll out dough and cut into shapes before baking.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Rainbow Cookies – Swirl different food colors into the dough.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze dough or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 5-10 seconds if desired.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
Yes! Just mix in green food coloring and decorations before baking.
How do I make these cookies extra soft?
Slightly underbake them and let them cool on the baking sheet.
Can I use buttercream frosting instead of icing?
Absolutely! A fluffy vanilla or mint buttercream works great.
What’s the best way to get vibrant green cookies?
Use gel food coloring for a richer color without thinning the dough.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be made 2 days in advance and chilled before baking.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
Can I add flavoring like mint or almond extract?
Yes! Mint, almond, or lemon extract adds a fun twist.
Do I need to decorate them?
Not at all! They’re delicious plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Can I make mini cookies?
Yes! Adjust baking time to about 8 minutes for smaller cookies.
What pairs well with these cookies?
Enjoy with milk, coffee, or a festive St. Patrick’s Day milkshake!
Conclusion
These Easy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies are festive, simple, and delicious! Whether you decorate them with sprinkles, drizzle them with icing, or enjoy them as-is, they’re a perfect way to celebrate the holiday. Try them today and bring some extra luck to your kitchen!
PrintEasy St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
These St. Patrick’s Day Cookies are simple, delicious, and perfect for celebrating! Made with a soft sugar cookie dough, they can be rolled in green sprinkles, topped with M&M’s, or drizzled with white chocolate for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Green sprinkles, M&M’s, or white chocolate (for decorating)
Instructions
-
Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Cream Butter & Sugar:
- In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
-
Add Egg & Vanilla:
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
-
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
-
Shape & Decorate:
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
- Option 1: Roll in green sprinkles before baking.
- Option 2: Press a green M&M into each cookie.
-
Bake:
- Place cookies on the baking sheet 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
-
Cool & Decorate (Optional):
- Let cool for 5 minutes, then drizzle with melted white chocolate for extra decoration.
-
Enjoy!
Notes
- Want a minty flavor? Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to the dough.
- For a fun variation, mix in ½ cup of white chocolate chips.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.