Pot of Gold Sugar Cookie Treats

More Festive Recipes to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

If you’re eager to expand your St. Patrick’s Day menu beyond these enchanting cookies, explore some of our other favorite Irish-inspired delights:

• No Bake Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake
• Hearty Irish Beef Stew with Cheddar Dumplings
• Indulgent Baileys French Toast with Baileys Whipped Cream
• Savory Reuben Hand Pies

Alternatively, unleash your creativity with these shortbread cutout cookies, perfect for crafting personalized festive shapes and decorations for any holiday!

Why These St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookies Will Become Your Go-To Treat

This particular recipe isn’t just about delicious cookies; it’s about the joy and simplicity of creating something special. Here’s why these St. Patrick’s Day sugar cookies are bound to become a staple in your holiday baking repertoire:

• Effortlessly Easy: Baking shouldn’t be stressful, especially during holidays. These St. Patrick’s Day cookies are designed for simplicity. With straightforward steps and common ingredients, they come together beautifully using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can go from dough to a tray of warm, fragrant cookies, ready to bake in just about ten minutes. It’s the perfect recipe for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, promising delightful results every time.
• No Chill, No Wait: One of the most beloved features of this recipe is the complete absence of chilling time. Forget about waiting for hours (or even overnight) for your dough to firm up. These cookies are mixed, scooped, and baked almost immediately, making them incredibly appealing for last-minute party preparations or when a sudden cookie craving strikes. Enjoy fresh-baked goodness without the typical baking delay!
• A Timeless Classic with a Festive Twist: At its heart, this is a truly classic sugar cookie recipe. We’ve enhanced it with just a touch of vibrant green food coloring to make it perfectly festive for St. Patrick’s Day. Unlike many elaborate cookie recipes, these are made without traditional icing or frosting, allowing the pure, comforting flavor of the cookie to shine through. The soft, chewy texture is simply irresistible, a testament to the beloved sugar cookie standard.
• Incredibly Versatile for Any Celebration: While designed for St. Patrick’s Day, these cookies offer endless possibilities for customization. You can roll them in coarse sugar for a sparkly finish, adorn them with festive sprinkles for any holiday, or keep them plain for a simple, comforting treat. For an extra touch of fun and whimsy, topping them with colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows is a fantastic idea that truly makes them stand out. Be sure to check our “Variations & Substitutions” section for even more creative ways to adapt this delightful recipe!

Essential Ingredients for Your Green Sugar Cookies

Crafting the perfect soft and chewy sugar cookie begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that delightful texture and flavor:

• Flour: We use all-purpose flour as the foundational ingredient, providing the structure for our cookies. For best results and accurate measurements, especially with recipes like this, consider using a digital scale to measure your flour by weight rather than volume. If you don’t have a scale, remember the “fluff, spoon, and level” method to avoid compacting the flour.
• Sugars: A blend of sugars is key to the unique texture of these St. Patrick’s Day sugar cookies.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides crispness around the edges and sweetness.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Contributes moisture and a subtle caramel note, essential for that desirable chewiness.
  • Turbinado Sugar: Used for rolling the dough, it adds a wonderful coarse texture and a beautiful sparkle to the finished cookies.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Both leavening agents are crucial for these cookies. Baking powder helps the cookies rise and spread, contributing to their soft interior, while baking soda reacts with the brown sugar to enhance spread and create a tender crumb. Using both ensures a balanced rise and texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Ensure your butter is at room temperature. This is critical for properly creaming it with the sugars, creating an airy base that leads to soft, well-spread cookies. Unsalted butter allows you to control the total amount of salt in the recipe.
• Large Egg: A single large egg at room temperature binds the ingredients together, adds moisture, and contributes to the cookie’s rich texture.
• Vanilla Paste or Extract: This is the soul of a classic sugar cookie’s flavor. Using a high-quality vanilla paste or extract will impart a deep, aromatic flavor that truly makes these cookies shine. Do not omit this essential flavoring agent.
• Kosher Salt: A small amount of kosher salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the cookie dough.
• Green Food Coloring: To achieve that festive St. Patrick’s Day hue, green food coloring is added. I highly recommend using Americolor gel food coloring. Gel food colorings are preferred over liquid ones as they provide a more vibrant color without adding excess liquid to the dough, which could alter the cookie’s texture.
• Lucky Charms Marshmallows: While optional, these iconic marshmallows are the perfect topping to make these cookies “ultra festive” for a St. Paddy’s theme. They also add a delightful, whimsical touch and a satisfying textural contrast with a bit of extra crunch!

For precise measurements of all ingredients, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.

Get Creative: Substitutions and Variations for Your Sugar Cookies

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to customize it for any occasion or to suit your personal preferences. Don’t hesitate to get creative with these delicious ideas:

• Add Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a delightful burst of chocolate in every bite.
• Explore New Flavors: Elevate the aroma and taste by adding an additional ½ teaspoon of flavored extract. Some fantastic ideas include almond extract for a nutty depth, peppermint extract for a refreshing kick, or orange or lemon extract for a bright, citrusy note. These can transform the cookies for different seasons or holidays!
• Sparkle and Shine: Instead of, or in addition to, the coarse sugar, you can roll the cookie dough in colorful festive sprinkles before baking for an extra celebratory look. For a truly magical touch, consider adding edible metallic stars immediately after baking, while the cookies are still warm and slightly sticky.
• Nutty Additions: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, fold in ½ cup of finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the dough.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: While these cookies are delicious on their own, a swirl of cream cheese frosting or a simple vanilla glaze can add another dimension of sweetness and moisture. Color the frosting green for extra festive flair!
• Other Holiday Themes: Change the food coloring and sprinkles to match any holiday! Red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween. The base recipe is your canvas!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make These Amazing St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookies

Follow these simple instructions to create perfect, soft, and chewy green sugar cookies:

One: Cream Butter and Sugars. In the bowl of your stand mixer (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), combine the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This crucial step incorporates air, making your cookies tender. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is well combined.

Two: Add Wet Ingredients and Color. To the creamed butter mixture, add the room temperature large egg, vanilla extract (or paste), and a few drops of green food coloring. Start with a small amount of food coloring and add more until you reach your desired vibrant green shade. Beat until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the color is evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once more.

Three: Combine Dry and Wet. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. This ensures they are evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Finish folding in any remaining flour with a rubber spatula if necessary, ensuring no dry pockets remain.

Four: Scoop the Dough. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out even balls of cookie dough. Scrape the scoop against the edge of the bowl to get flush, consistent balls. Uniform cookie size ensures even baking. Place the scooped dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each cookie for spreading.

Five: Prepare for Baking. Continue scooping all the cookie dough onto your parchment-lined baking sheets. Once all the dough is scooped, you can proceed to the topping step. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Having two large baking sheets on hand, both lined with parchment paper, will facilitate baking in batches.

Six: Top and Bake. Now for the festive touch! You can either roll each cookie dough ball in coarse turbinado sugar for a glittering finish, or gently press a few Lucky Charms marshmallows onto the top of each dough ball (if using marshmallows, skip the sugar roll for these). For best results, add no more than 8 cookies to a large baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about two inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still look soft. Once baked, allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them. This helps them set and prevents breakage.

Quick Tip! If you plan to roll the cookies in coarse sugar, do this immediately after scooping each dough ball. The fresh, slightly moist dough will allow the sugar to adhere much better. If the dough sits for too long, it can dry out, making it difficult for the sugar to stick properly.

Baking St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookie Dough from Frozen

Planning ahead? This recipe is perfect for freezing, allowing you to enjoy freshly baked cookies whenever the mood strikes. Here’s how to store and bake your cookie dough from frozen:

Freezing the Dough Balls:

1. Scoop & Flash Freeze: Prepare the cookie dough as instructed up to the scooping stage (Step Four). Scoop all the dough balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
2. Initial Freeze: Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and flash freeze the cookie dough balls for about 30 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch. This prevents them from sticking together.
3. Long-term Storage: Once firm, transfer the frozen cookie dough balls to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or an airtight container. Label with the date. The cookie dough can be frozen for up to three months.

Baking from Frozen:

1. Preheat Oven: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) as per the recipe instructions. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange Dough: Remove the desired number of frozen cookie dough balls from the freezer and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, allowing about two inches between each cookie. You don’t need to thaw them first.
3. Bake & Adjust: Bake the cookies according to the recipe instructions, but be prepared to add an additional 1-3 minutes to the baking time, as frozen dough will take slightly longer. Look for the edges to be lightly golden and the centers to appear set, though still soft.
4. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the taste of fresh-baked cookies with minimal effort!

Freezing cookie dough is a fantastic way to ensure you always have a batch of homemade treats ready for unexpected guests or a quick dessert.

Expert Tips for Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality cookies is easier than you think with a few simple tricks. Keep these expert tips in mind for consistently perfect results:

• Accurate Flour Measurement is Key: For the most consistent cookie texture, always measure your flour by weight using a digital scale. If you don’t have a scale, use the “fluff, spoon, and level method”: gently fluff the flour in its container, then lightly spoon it into your measuring cup, and finally, level off the top with a straight edge. Adding too much flour is a common mistake that can result in dense, dry cookies that don’t spread properly.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together effectively, creating an emulsified base that holds air, leading to a lighter, softer, and more evenly textured cookie.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, chewy (in a bad way) cookies. A few streaks of flour are fine; you can finish incorporating them with a spatula.
• Uniform Scooping for Even Baking: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookie dough balls are roughly the same size. This consistency is crucial for even baking, preventing some cookies from being underbaked while others are overbaked. Scrape the scoop on the edge of the bowl to remove excess dough for perfectly round portions.
• Secure Your Toppings: If you’re adding Lucky Charms marshmallows or sprinkles, gently press them into the dough balls prior to baking. This helps them adhere to the dough and prevents them from falling off during baking or cooling.
• Bake One Pan at a Time: For the absolute best results, bake one sheet of cookies at a time in the center rack of your oven. This ensures even heat distribution and consistent baking. If you must bake two pans simultaneously, rotate them halfway through the baking time (top to bottom, front to back) to promote even browning.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking, promotes even browning, and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them. This firming-up process helps them maintain their shape and prevents them from breaking apart. Warm cookies are delicious, but fully cooled cookies have the best texture and structure for storage.

Common Questions About Sugar Cookies

Proper Storage for Long-Lasting Freshness

To ensure your delicious St. Patrick’s Day sugar cookies remain soft and flavorful, proper storage is essential:

At Room Temperature:

Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their delightful softness and chewiness for up to one week. To prevent them from drying out, you can place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread.

Freezing Baked Cookies:

If you’ve baked a large batch or want to save some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Once the cookies are entirely cool, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes. This prevents them from sticking together. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They can be frozen for up to two months. To enjoy, simply remove the cookies from the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before indulging. For a “fresh from the oven” feel, you can gently warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Discover More Irresistible Cookie Recipes!

If you’re a cookie enthusiast, you’re in for a treat! Explore some of our other cherished cookie creations that are sure to become new favorites:

📖 St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookies Recipe

Author: Callan Wenner

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (7 votes)

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Rest Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 16 cookies

Calories: 234 kcal per cookie

Equipment

• Stand mixer with paddle attachment, or handheld mixer
• 2 tablespoon cookie scoop
• 2 large sheet pans
• Parchment paper
• Digital scale (for best results measuring flour)

Ingredients

• 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup coarse turbinado sugar
• Green food coloring (gel based is best)
• ½ cup Lucky Charms marshmallows (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy, typically about 5 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly combined.
3. Add the room temperature egg, vanilla extract, and green food coloring to the creamed mixture. Continue to beat until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the color is uniform throughout the dough.
4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again. Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; finish incorporating any remaining flour with a rubber spatula if necessary.
5. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the cookie dough into even balls. Place them on one baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If rolling in sugar, immediately roll each scooped cookie dough ball in the ⅓ cup coarse turbinado sugar. If using Lucky Charms marshmallows, gently press a few marshmallows into the top of each dough ball instead of rolling in sugar.
6. Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with fresh parchment paper.
7. Arrange about 8 cookie dough balls on each prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced approximately two inches apart. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set but still soft. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before handling and enjoying.

Video: How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookies

Notes

• For optimal results, bake only one pan of cookies at a time. If baking two pans simultaneously, make sure to rotate them halfway through the baking time (switching racks and turning them front to back) to ensure even cooking.
• Store the cooled cookies in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.

Tried this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and rating below!