Vanilla Shamrock Cookies

I love St. Patrick’s Day! The older I get, the more I like it. This year, I’m showing my love by creating several recipes and recipe videos centered around this great holiday. I’m getting an early start to make sure all of you Blue Birds in our community have a chance to see the options and choose your favorite. I started with these Vanilla Shamrock Cookies because they are simple to make and sweet enough that everyone will enjoy them. I do recommend using clover cookie cutouts to make the process of creating the clover shapes much easier. You can find them at any of the main large online retailers.

If you’re looking for another St. Patrick’s Day themed dessert, check out our Irish Delight Cupcakes Recipe made with Guinness.

Vanilla Shamrock Cookies

These Shamrock Cookies are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but as someone with a majority of Irish blood, I thought I would share other times to celebrate Irish heritage:

• January 21 – The day in 1919 when the Irish Republic declared independence
• April 24 – The day in 1916 when Easter Rising began
• December 6 – The day in 1921 when the treaty was signed ending the Irish War for Independence

… but I know most of you are here for St. Patrick’s Day!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean extract (Suggest our Blue Bird Vanilla Extract)
• 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• Green food coloring (optional)
• White chocolate chips
• Green sprinkles

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, use an electric or stand mixer to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and a few drops of green food coloring (optional) and mix well.
2. In a medium bowl, stir/whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients from Step #1 and mix until a soft dough forms. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare two baking sheets. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the plain dough to about ¼ inch thick. Cut out shamrock shapes using a cookie cutter or knife. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool for at least 5 minutes.
4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in 15-second intervals, stirring after each one, until smooth and creamy. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cookies and sprinkle with green sprinkles. Let the chocolate set before serving or storing.

Guess what??? We did it! These homemade vanilla shamrock cookies are ready to bring a bit of Irish charm to you and your loved ones. I love that this is another recipe that is simple enough to bake with the help of little leprechauns, and you can share them with neighbors, friends, and any Irish-themed festive gathering. Just make sure to set one aside for yourself, because they tend to go fast!

Enjoy, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Looking for another festive recipe? Check out our Strawberry and Blueberry Shortcake Recipe. It’s perfect for the spring and summer time and is a blast to make!