These Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day are the perfect way to bring a little Italian flair to your holiday celebration. With their soft, buttery texture and delicate flavor, these cookies melt in your mouth. And don’t even get me started on the vibrant green glaze—it’s a little nod to the Irish spirit without losing that traditional Italian charm. Whether you’re hosting a party or treating yourself, these cookies are sure to become a festive favorite. Trust me, you’ll be reaching for seconds!
Why You’ll Love Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day
A Sweet Italian Tradition
These cookies are based on a classic Italian recipe, but with a fun St. Patrick’s Day twist. The combination of buttery dough and sugary glaze makes them a crowd-pleaser every time.
Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day
The green glaze not only looks gorgeous but adds a festive touch to your St. Paddy’s Day spread. They’re colorful, delicious, and perfect for celebrating in style!
Simple Yet Delicious
Don’t be fooled by how easy these cookies are to make—they pack a punch of flavor. With just a few basic ingredients, you’ll have a batch of gorgeous cookies ready to go in no time.
Versatile and Fun
While they’re ideal for St. Patrick’s Day, you can easily customize the color of the glaze to match any occasion. Change up the glaze color and sprinkles to suit birthdays, holidays, or any fun gathering.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- Butter: The key to these soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. It gives them that rich, buttery flavor.
- Sugar: Sweetness in every bite! It helps create the perfect balance with the buttery dough.
- Eggs: Adds richness and moisture to the dough, ensuring these cookies are soft and chewy.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla for that familiar, comforting flavor.
- Baking Powder: To give the cookies just the right amount of lift and lightness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cookies. It creates the perfect texture when combined with the other ingredients.
For the Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar: For a smooth, sweet glaze that’s easy to spread.
- Milk: To thin the glaze to the perfect consistency for drizzling.
- Green Food Coloring: To get that vibrant St. Patrick’s Day green!
- Sprinkles (Optional): For an extra festive touch, add some rainbow or green sprinkles to complete the St. Patrick’s Day look.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your fingers.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for about 10–12 minutes, or until they are just lightly golden around the edges. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the Green Glaze:
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add a few drops of green food coloring and stir until you reach your desired shade of green.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, dip the tops into the green glaze or spoon the glaze over them for a more controlled drizzle.
- Add Sprinkles: If you’re using sprinkles, add them while the glaze is still wet, so they stick nicely to the cookies.
Let the Glaze Set:
- Allow to Dry: Let the glaze set for about 20–30 minutes to harden. The cookies are now ready to serve!
Enjoy:
Serve these festive Italian cookies on a platter for your guests or enjoy them as a sweet treat to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They’re sure to disappear fast!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 18
Calories per serving: 120
Fat per serving: 5g
Carbs per serving: 18g
Protein per serving: 1g
Sugar per serving: 9g
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day
As a Dessert Table Highlight:
Serve these cookies on a dessert table filled with other St. Patrick’s Day goodies like Irish soda bread or shamrock cupcakes. They’ll look beautiful alongside the other treats and add a pop of green.
As Party Favors:
These cookies make fantastic party favors! Wrap them up individually in clear cellophane bags with a little ribbon for a sweet and edible gift that your guests will love.
As a Sweet Snack:
Pair them with a hot cup of tea or coffee and enjoy them as a delicious snack during your St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Additional Tips
Customize the Glaze:
If green isn’t your thing, feel free to color the glaze any color you want to fit your party theme. You could even split the glaze into different bowls and color it with various shades for a more colorful look.
Make Them Ahead:
These cookies store well! You can bake them a day ahead and just add the glaze when you’re ready to serve. The cookies will stay soft for days.
Vegan Option:
For a vegan version, substitute the butter with dairy-free butter and use a flaxseed egg or chia egg in place of the regular eggs.
Add Extra Flavor:
Want to make these cookies even more special? Try adding a little lemon or almond extract to the dough for an extra burst of flavor.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can bake the cookies the day before, just add the glaze on the day you plan to serve them for the best presentation.
Q2: Can I use a different color for the glaze?
A2: Of course! You can choose any color that fits your theme. Red, yellow, or rainbow colors would also be fun for different occasions.
Q3: How do I store leftover cookies?
A3: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay fresh and soft!
Q4: Can I freeze these cookies?
A4: Yes, these cookies freeze well. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll last up to a month in the freezer.
Q5: Can I make these cookies without food coloring?
A5: Absolutely! The cookies will still taste delicious without the food coloring; they’ll just have a more traditional look.
Q6: Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
A6: Yes, feel free to fold in some mini chocolate chips into the dough for an added chocolatey twist.
Q7: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A7: Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.
Q8: Can I decorate these with something other than glaze?
A8: You can decorate these cookies with melted chocolate, icing, or even a dusting of powdered sugar for a simpler finish.
Q9: Can I use different extracts for flavor?
A9: Yes, you can try almond, lemon, or even orange extract to give these cookies a different flavor profile. Get creative!
Q10: How do I keep the glaze from dripping off?
A10: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before glazing them, and let the glaze set for a few minutes before adding sprinkles or decorations.
Conclusion
These Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day are the perfect combination of tradition and fun. With their soft, buttery texture and festive green glaze, they’re sure to be the highlight of your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Easy to make, customizable, and so delicious, these cookies are sure to become a new holiday favorite!
Print
Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day are a perfect fusion of classic Italian cookie flavors with a festive St. Patrick’s Day twist! Soft, buttery, and slightly almond-flavored, these cookies are topped with a sweet glaze and green sprinkles to give them a holiday-ready look. They’re perfect for adding a little sweetness to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Almond Extract
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1–2 tbsp Milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
- Green Food Coloring (for St. Patrick’s Day theme)
- Green Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Eggs and Extracts:
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until combined, but don’t overwork the dough.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Slightly flatten each ball of dough with the back of a spoon or your fingers.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Glaze:
- While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract in a small bowl. Adjust the amount of milk to reach your desired consistency for glazing. Add a few drops of green food coloring to create a festive St. Patrick’s Day color.
- Glaze the Cookies:
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, drizzle or spread the green glaze over the top of each cookie. You can use a spoon or a piping bag to apply the glaze.
- Sprinkle the cookies with green sprinkles for extra decoration and festivity.
- Serve:
- Allow the glaze to set for about 15-20 minutes before serving or storing. Enjoy these delicious, festive cookies!
Notes
- You can also roll the dough into small balls and press them slightly flat before baking for a different shape.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, add a little more powdered sugar to achieve the desired consistency.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg