Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, is a time for honoring Irish culture, donning green attire, and enjoying delicious food. While savory dishes like corned beef and cabbage are common, baking festive treats is a delightful way to mark the occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply indulging in some seasonal sweets, these Saint Patrick’s Day baking ideas will bring luck and flavor to your kitchen.
1. Traditional Irish Soda Bread
No Saint Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without Irish Soda Bread. This simple, rustic bread relies on baking soda as a leavening agent instead of yeast, making it easy to whip up in under an hour.
Ingredients:
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
• ½ cup raisins (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
3. Slowly add the buttermilk, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead briefly.
5. Shape into a round loaf and place on a greased baking sheet.
6. Cut a deep “X” on top and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.
Enjoy warm with butter and jam for a traditional treat!
2. Shamrock Sugar Cookies
Shamrocks symbolize luck, making shamrock-shaped sugar cookies a perfect Saint Patrick’s Day treat.
Ingredients:
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• Royal icing for decorating
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
2. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Add the egg, vanilla, and a few drops of green food coloring.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Roll out the dough, cut into shamrock shapes, and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
7. Once cooled, decorate with royal icing or green sprinkles.
3. Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes
For a more indulgent option, these Guinness chocolate cupcakes add a rich depth of flavor with Irish stout.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup Guinness stout
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray.
2. Heat Guinness and butter in a saucepan until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder and sugar.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and sour cream, then add to the Guinness mixture.
4. Sift in the flour and baking soda, mixing until smooth.
5. Fill cupcake liners and bake for 17-20 minutes.
6. Let cool and frost with Baileys Irish Cream frosting (butter, powdered sugar, and Baileys).
4. Lucky Green Velvet Cake
A twist on the classic red velvet cake, this green velvet cake is festive and fun!
Ingredients:
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• Green food coloring
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and food coloring.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing well.
6. Combine baking soda and vinegar, then fold into the batter.
7. Bake in greased cake pans for 30-35 minutes.
8. Frost with cream cheese frosting and top with festive sprinkles.
5. Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies
Mint and chocolate are a perfect pair, and these mint chocolate chip brownies will be a hit at any Saint Patrick’s Day gathering.
Ingredients:
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• ½ teaspoon mint extract
• Green food coloring
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix melted butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
3. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
4. Fold in chocolate chips and mint extract. Add green food coloring if desired.
5. Spread into a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Baking for Saint Patrick’s Day is a fun and festive way to celebrate Irish culture. Whether you opt for a traditional Irish soda bread, playful shamrock cookies, or indulgent Guinness cupcakes, there’s something for everyone. Try these recipes and add a little luck of the Irish to your celebration!
Happy baking and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Go n-ardóidh an bóthar chun bualadh leat, go mbeadh an ghaoth i do chúl i gcónaí, go lasfadh an ghrian te ar d’aghaidh, agus go dtitfidh na báistí go bog ar do pháirceanna agus, go dtí go mbuailfimid arís, go gcoinneoidh na Déithe tú i dtearmann na tá siad lámha. Is breá liom tú.
Not Your Grams Kitchen 