St. Patrick’s Day Treats: 6 Recipes to Make your Celebrations Unforgettable

Jenny in Food & Drink Feb 18 • 28 min read

Hello, my fellow foodies and festive friends! ðŸ€ As we gear up for one of the most delightful celebrations of the year, St. Patrick’s Day, I can’t help but feel the excitement bubbling inside me! It’s that magical time when everything turns green, and we get to indulge in delicious treats that celebrate Irish culture and the luck of the Irish. So, grab your aprons, gather your ingredients, and let’s dive into some scrumptious St. Patrick’s Day treats ideas that will make your celebrations unforgettable!

The Sweet History of St. Patrick’s Day

Before we plunge into the recipes, let’s take a moment to appreciate the history behind this vibrant day. Celebrated on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day honors the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the island. Over time, this day has transformed into a celebration of Irish culture, complete with parades, music, and, of course, delicious St Patrick's Day food.

The traditional colors of St. Patrick’s Day—green, white, and orange—represent the Irish flag, but today, green takes center stage! From shamrocks to leprechauns, green-themed treats are a must. Let’s get started with some mouthwatering ideas that will leave your guests craving for more!

1. Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

What better way to kick off the festivities than with some delightful mint chocolate chip cupcakes? These fluffy green treats are not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp peppermint extract
Green food coloring
Chocolate chips (for added yumminess)

Instructions:

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with green liners.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Add a few drops of green food coloring until you reach your desired shade of green.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Bake: Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full with the batter and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let them cool.
Frosting Time: Top with mint-flavored buttercream frosting and garnish with additional chocolate chips or green sprinkles for that festive touch!

2. Shamrock Sugar Cookies

Next up, let’s make some adorable shamrock sugar cookies! These St Patrick's Day cookies are perfect for decorating and sharing with friends and family.

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
Green food coloring
Royal icing (for decoration)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and a few drops of green food coloring.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a dough forms.
Roll and Cut: Roll the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a shamrock cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely before decorating.
Decorate: Use royal icing to pipe fun designs on the cookies. You can even add edible glitter for extra sparkle!

3. Rainbow Fruit Skewers

Let’s brighten up our table with some healthy and colorful rainbow fruit skewers! These vibrant treats are not only refreshing but also a feast for the eyes.

Ingredients:

Strawberries
Orange slices
Pineapple chunks
Green grapes
Blueberries
Purple grapes
Skewers

Instructions:

Prepare the Fruit: Wash and cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces.
Assemble Skewers: On each skewer, alternate the fruit colors to create a beautiful rainbow effect.
Serve with a Dip: For an extra treat, serve with a yogurt or chocolate dip. Your guests will love these healthy bites!

4. Leprechaun Popcorn

Now, let’s whip up some leprechaun popcorn! This sweet and salty snack is perfect for munching while you enjoy the festivities.

Ingredients:

10 cups popped popcorn
½ cup unsalted butter
1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
½ cup green candy melts
½ cup sprinkles

Instructions:

Pop the Corn: Pop your popcorn and place it in a large bowl.
Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows together over low heat, stirring until smooth.
Combine: Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and mix until evenly coated.
Add Color: Melt green candy melts according to package instructions and drizzle over the popcorn. Sprinkle with festive sprinkles.
Cool and Serve: Allow the mixture to cool before breaking it into clusters. Enjoy this treat with family and friends!

5. Irish Cream Brownies

For the chocolate lovers out there, Irish cream brownies are a must-try! These fudgy delights are infused with the rich flavor of Irish cream liqueur.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
½ cup Irish cream liqueur

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Melt Butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
Add Irish Cream: Stir in the Irish cream liqueur until well combined.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let them cool before cutting into squares.

6. Green Velvet Cake

Last but certainly not least, let’s create a stunning green velvet cake! This showstopper is perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 ½ cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 tbsp green food coloring
1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream cheese frosting (for layering)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two round cake pans.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, and vanilla.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until smooth.
Bake: Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let them cool completely.
Frost: Layer with cream cheese frosting between the cakes and frost the top and sides. Decorate with green sprinkles or shamrock decorations!

Conclusion: Celebrate with Joy!

And there you have it, my festive friends! A delightful array of St. Patrick’s Day treats that are sure to bring smiles and cheer to your celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a party or just enjoying a cozy day at home, these recipes are perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Remember, cooking and baking should always be a joyful experience, so don’t hesitate to get creative and add your personal touch to these treats. I hope you enjoy making these delicious goodies as much as I do! May your St. Patrick’s Day be filled with laughter, love, and, of course, plenty of green treats! Cheers to you and the luck of the Irish! ðŸ€â¤ï¸

Happy baking, and until next time, keep spreading joy and deliciousness wherever you go!