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why make this recipe
St. Patrick’s Day Cookies are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday. They bring joy to any gathering with their bright green color and whimsical clover shape. Plus, they are great for sharing with friends and family. Baking these cookies can also be a delightful activity to do with kids, making it a perfect way to spend time together and create something sweet.
how to make St Patrick’s Day Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon green gel food coloring
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 cup rainbow nonpareil sprinkles
Directions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until everything is combined.
- Add the flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two balls. Wrap one ball in plastic wrap and set it aside.
- Fold the green food coloring into the remaining ball until it is a uniform color. Flatten it into a 1-inch thick disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator along with the other ball of dough. Chill for 3 hours.
- Once chilled, remove the green dough. Use a clover-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many clovers as you can, re-rolling the dough as needed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water. Brush this mixture over the tops of each clover, stacking them into a tall tower.
- Lay the tower down so it forms one long log of clovers. Wrap with plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Break the ball of dough into several pieces and roll them into ropes. When the clover log is ready, remove it from the freezer and line the clovers with the long ropes. Press tightly, then roll on a lightly floured surface into a smooth log.
- Brush the outside with the egg wash, then roll in the rainbow sprinkles. Return to the freezer for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Slice the log into 1/4 inch thick slices. Place 12 on a baking sheet at a time. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool on the sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- You can freeze the logs of dough for up to 3 months. Wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a Ziploc bag.
how to serve St Patrick’s Day Cookies
Serve your St. Patrick’s Day Cookies on a festive plate, perhaps with some green decorations around them. They make a great treat for parties, gatherings, or simply to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also package them in clear bags with a cute ribbon for gifting.
how to store St Patrick’s Day Cookies
Keep your St. Patrick’s Day Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies. Just place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper in between layers.
tips to make St Patrick’s Day Cookies
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature for better mixing.
- Don’t skip the chilling step; it helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- If you don’t have a clover-shaped cookie cutter, you can use a heart shape or any shape you like.
- Experiment with different colors of sprinkles to match any holiday theme!
variation (if any)
For a different flavor, you can swap out the almond extract for peppermint for a minty twist. You can also add chocolate chips to the dough for extra sweetness.
FAQs
1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Just add a pinch of salt to the dough.
2. How do I prevent the dough from sticking?
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Keep the dough chilled to make it easier to handle.
3. Can I make these cookies without food coloring?
Absolutely! The cookies will still taste great even without the green color. You can leave them plain or decorate with icing.
St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until combined.
- Add the flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two balls. Wrap one ball in plastic wrap and set aside.
- Fold the green food coloring into the remaining ball until it is a uniform color. Flatten it into a 1-inch thick disk, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Once chilled, remove the green dough. Use a clover-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many clovers as possible, re-rolling the dough as needed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water. Brush this mixture over the tops of each clover and stack them into a tall tower.
- Lay the tower down to form one long log of clovers. Wrap with plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Break the dough ball into several pieces and roll them into ropes. When the clover log is ready, remove it from the freezer and line the clovers with the long ropes. Press tightly, then roll on a lightly floured surface into a smooth log.
- Brush the outside of the log with the egg wash, then roll in rainbow sprinkles. Return to the freezer for another 30 minutes.
- Slice the log into 1/4 inch thick slices. Place 12 on a baking sheet at a time.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool on the sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
