Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these festive, soft, and chewy cookies infused with classic vanilla flavor and a touch of green coloring. Perfectly sweetened and decorated with colorful sprinkles, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for sharing at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk (or more if needed)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional & Garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring (optional, for festive color)
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (or green sprinkles for a more St. Patrick’s Day vibe)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough begins to come together. If desired, add the green food coloring at this point and mix until the dough is evenly colored. Add a tablespoon of milk if the dough feels too thick or dry to handle comfortably.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls using your hands. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Gently flatten each ball with the back of a spoon or your hand to achieve a rounded cookie shape.
- Add Sprinkles: Sprinkle the top of each cookie generously with rainbow or green sprinkles to add a festive and colorful St. Patrick’s Day touch.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft. Monitor closely to avoid overbaking, as the cookies are meant to be tender and chewy.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. This helps them firm up slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture.
- Serve: Enjoy your Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Cookies fresh at your celebration or with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Their delightful taste and festive appearance will surely brighten any occasion.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of green food coloring depending on your desired intensity of color.
- If the dough is too sticky, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before rolling into balls.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan margarine and use a plant-based milk alternative.
- Sprinkles can be customized with your preferred colors to suit other occasions beyond St. Patrick’s Day.
