Description
These Shamrock Sugar Cookies are delightfully flavored with vanilla and butter, easy to prepare, and decorated for St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Perfect for sharing!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed for rolling
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- Seeds scraped from 1 whole vanilla bean
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: gel food coloring for tinting
- Optional: sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, then set aside.
- Beat softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl until creamy. Add vanilla bean seeds and mix again. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until combined, adjusting the flour if the dough is too soft.
- Split the dough into two portions, roll each between parchment paper to 1/4-inch thickness, dusting with flour as necessary. Chill for 1-2 hours or up to 2 days.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut chilled dough into desired shapes and arrange on sheets.
- Bake cookies for 11-12 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack before decorating.
- Prepare frosting by beating butter and vanilla bean seeds until creamy. Mix in confectioners’ sugar and heavy cream until smooth. Color if desired and use to decorate cookies as preferred.
- Store decorated cookies at room temperature for up to 1 day; refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Notes
Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the best texture.
Chilling the dough is crucial for easy rolling and cutting.
Decorations can be customized with different colors and sprinkles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg