St Patricks Green Sugar Cookies (Printable)

Soft green sugar cookies filled with creamy vanilla frosting and coating of sparkling sugar.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the 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, optional
09 - Green gel food coloring
10 - 1/2 cup green sparkling sugar or sanding sugar

→ For the 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

# Steps:

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 butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
05 - Add green gel food coloring and blend until desired shade of green is achieved.
06 - Gradually mix in 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 edges are set but centers remain soft. Cool completely on a wire rack.
10 - In a medium bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, 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 green gel coloring stays vibrant without making your dough gummy or weird, unlike food coloring that tries to water everything down.
  • Soft centers paired with that creamy frosting middle means each bite has real texture and indulgence, not that dry cookie regret.
  • They're showy enough to impress at a gathering but honestly simple enough that you won't stress the entire time you're making them.
02 -
  • Gel coloring is your friend—liquid food coloring will make your dough sticky and your cookies will spread into thin, crispy wafers instead of staying soft and pillowy.
  • Those cookies that still feel slightly soft in the center will firm up as they cool and give you that perfect tender texture; overbaking turns them into sugar cookies instead of the dreamy sandwich variety.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are not a suggestion—cold butter takes forever to cream and cold eggs can cause the dough to seize up and become lumpy.
  • Sift your powdered sugar for the frosting even if it seems tedious; one small lump will drag across your frosting and ruin the smooth finish you're after.
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