St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Sugar Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Sugar Cookies are a delightful way to celebrate the holiday. With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet, simple flavor, they make a festive treat for all ages. Decorated with green icing and sprinkles, they bring cheerful charm to any gathering or afternoon snack.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Green royal icing (for decorating)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Step 5: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Step 6: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 7: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with green royal icing and add sprinkles if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a citrus twist, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a bright, fresh flavor.
- If you don’t have almond extract, you can substitute with an equal amount of extra vanilla extract.
- Try using colored sanding sugar instead of royal icing for a quick and easy decoration.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If decorated with royal icing, allow the icing to harden completely before storing to avoid smudging. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies without icing for up to three months and decorate after thawing.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different shape cookie cutter?
Yes, feel free to use any cookie cutter shape you like. The dough works well for various shapes beyond shamrocks.
How do I make royal icing for decorating?
Royal icing is typically made from powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Mix until smooth and tint with green food coloring for these festive cookies. You can find detailed recipes online or use store-bought icing for convenience.
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St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Description
These St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Sugar Cookies are a festive and delightful treat perfect for celebrating the holiday. Featuring a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a sweet, simple flavor, these cookies are cut into charming shamrock shapes and decorated with green royal icing and optional sprinkles. Ideal for parties or a cozy tea time, these cookies bring fun and cheer to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
Decorations
- Green royal icing (for decorating)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help yield tender cookies.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the large egg, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts, blending thoroughly to combine the flavors evenly.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing continuously until a soft dough forms without overworking it to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to approximately ¼ inch thickness to ensure even baking and a delicate texture.
- Cut Cookies: Use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to cut out individual cookies, then place them carefully on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden, indicating they are fully baked but still soft inside.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely, which is essential before decorating to prevent melting the icing.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with green royal icing and add sprinkles if desired to create festive Shamrock designs perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
Notes
- Ensure butter is properly softened to achieve the best creaming texture with sugar.
- Do not over-bake the cookies to keep them soft and buttery.
- Rolling the dough evenly helps cookies bake uniformly.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating to avoid icing melt or run.
- Almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor; if allergic, substitute with additional vanilla extract.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: St. Patrick’s Day cookies, Shamrock sugar cookies, holiday cookies, festive desserts, sugar cookie recipe, royal icing cookies
