Perfect Irish Flag Cookies
These Perfect Irish Flag Cookies are a quick and easy homemade treat featuring the iconic green, white, and orange colors of the Irish flag. They offer a buttery texture with crisp edges and a sweet glaze, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (dairy-free milk optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (gel-based recommended)
- Orange food coloring (or natural carrot juice)
Instructions
- Soften butter to room temperature (about 20 minutes). Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add egg and vanilla extract; beat until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding until dough just comes together.
- Roll dough into a 12-inch long log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice chilled dough into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Transfer cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.
- Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Divide into three bowls and color one green, one orange, and leave one plain white.
- Spread glaze on cooled cookies in three vertical stripes: green on left, white in middle, orange on right. Let glaze set for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use softened but not melted butter for best dough texture. Chill dough at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading. Watch cookies closely near end of baking to avoid overbaking. Adjust glaze thickness with powdered sugar or milk as needed. Cookies should be completely cool before glazing to prevent melting. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend and chill longer. For vegan, use vegan butter and replace egg with ¼ cup applesauce or flax egg.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Protein: 1
Keywords: Irish flag cookies, St. Patrick's Day cookies, festive cookies, homemade cookies, colorful cookies, easy cookie recipe