Sparkly St Patricks Day Cookies (Printable)

Soft green sugar cookie sandwiches filled with smooth vanilla frosting and coated in sparkling sugar.

# What You'll Need:

→ Green Sugar Cookies

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
09 - Green gel food coloring
10 - 1/2 cup green sparkling sugar or sanding sugar

→ Vanilla Frosting

11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
14 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
05 - Add green gel food coloring, blending until the desired shade of green is achieved.
06 - Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat each in green sparkling sugar.
08 - Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with your palm.
09 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Cool completely on a wire rack.
10 - In a medium bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
11 - Spread or pipe a generous layer of frosting onto the flat side of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies to form sandwiches. Roll the sides in extra sparkling sugar if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cookies stay soft and buttery inside while the edges crisp up just enough to hold the frosting without crumbling apart.
  • You get that satisfying crunch of sparkling sugar with every bite, plus the nostalgia of something that tastes like celebration itself.
02 -
  • Gel food coloring is absolutely worth seeking out because it won't water down your dough like liquid coloring does, and the green stays vibrant instead of fading to a dull sage.
  • Don't let the cookies bake until they look fully done, because they firm up significantly as they cool and you want that tender, buttery interior that makes them special.
03 -
  • If you want a festive twist, add a few drops of peppermint extract to the frosting for a subtle minty flavor that complements the vanilla beautifully without overpowering it.
  • Softening your butter properly is half the battle, so take it out of the fridge about an hour before you start baking, and your creaming will be smoother and lighter.
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