The Cutest St. Patrick's Day Desserts for All Your Little Leprechauns
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St. Patrick's Day is one of our favorite food holidays. There's the salty corned beef and cabbage, the spiked Irish coffee, and, of course, all the other traditional Irish dishes that'll make you feel like taking a trip to the rolling green hills of Ireland. But, here at home, you can also get in the spirit of the holiday with any one of these fun St. Patrick's Day desserts! Of course, we've also included a few traditional Irish desserts like an Irish apple cake drizzled with custard or a classic soda bread. But you'll also find tons of cute ideas like gold-colored cupcakes, green food ideas like homemade shamrock shakes, or rainbow-inspired recipes that are sure to put a smile on anyone's face.
Grownup leprechauns can check out the whiskey-maple ice cream sundaes or opt for something like the Guinness brownies or homemade fudge made with Irish cream liqueur. However, if you'd rather leave the booze for your St. Patrick's Day drinks, don't fret! We've also included plenty of alcohol-free desserts that are just as celebratory. Your kids will go crazy for the Irish potato candy, the clover-shaped cookies, and the Lucky Charms bars. No matter which you choose, these easy St. Paddy's Day desserts will make anyone feel lucky.
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Traditional Irish shortbread gets a springtime twist with this recipe that features bright lemon juice and zest. You can decorate the top with a cookie stamp in various prints, including flowers or even shamrocks!
Get the Lemon Shortbread Cookies recipe.
Lucky Charms Bars
Your kids' favorite cereal becomes the base for these adorable treats! Dip them in melted green candy coating and decorate with gold sprinkles for even more adorable sweetness.
Get the Lucky Charms Bars recipe.
Irish Apple Cake
Coffee cake meets apple crumble with this traditional Irish dessert. There are tons of warm spices, tender apples, and a buttery crumble on top! Not to mention the vanilla custard makes it extra-decadent.
Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
You only need four ingredients to make this minty green-colored ice cream cake. Along with the mint chip ice cream, there's also mint chocolate sandwich cookies layered with whole ice cream sandwich bars and frozen whipped topping.
Get the Ice Cream Sandwich Cake recipe.
Millionaire's Shortbread
This treat might have originated in Scotland, but it's a classic dessert in Ireland as well. That's because the base starts with Irish shortbread, then layers on caramel, chocolate, and flaky sea salt.
Get the Millionaire's Shortbread recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Skewers
There's a treat at the end of this rainbow of fruits. It's a special sprinkle-covered donut hole! Get your kids to help build the skewers as a fun St. Paddy's Day activity.
Get the Rainbow Fruit Skewers recipe.
Mint Fortune Cookies
The bright green color of these homemade fortune cookies makes them perfect for any St. Patrick's Day party. You can even include some Irish sayings on the messages inside.
Get the Mint Fortune Cookies recipe.
Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet
The sweet, sticky apple topping actually starts out on the bottom of the cake pan. After baking, you flip the cake over to reveal the caramelized topping that's perfect for serving with vanilla ice cream.
Get Ree's Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet recipe.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
You can't go wrong with an old-fashioned oatmeal cookie—especially when its covered in sweet icing. We suggest serving this one up with a mug of Irish coffee.
Get the Iced Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Guinness Cake
Surprisingly, Guinness beer isn't just for drinking! It's also a nice pairing for rich chocolate in this homemade bundt cake. And if that weren't enough booze for you, there's also a Bailey's icing poured right over the top.
Get the Chocolate Guinness Cake recipe.
Mini Bundt Cakes
These mini vanilla and buttermilk cakes are perfect for parties since they're just the right size. But what makes them even better for St. Paddy's Day is the maple-whiskey glaze.
Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipe.
Pinwheel Cookies
Opt for green and gold sprinkles to decorate these slice-and-bake cookies. You can make them ahead to keep your St. Patrick's Day celebrations easier than ever!
Get the Pinwheel Cookies recipe.
Guinness Brownies
Calling all Guinness fans! The stout beer made from malted and roasted barley is a surprising ingredient in a chocolate dessert. But the slightly bitter flavor and notes of coffee actually make it pair perfectly with the richness from the brownies.
Get the Guinness Brownies recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
We're not monkeying around—this cinnamon roll monkey bread is so good! It's a gooey, flaky, indulgent treat and the perfect sweet bread to pair with a pint.
Get the Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe.
Ricotta Cheesecake
This light and fluffy cheesecake gets its unique texture from ricotta cheese. We've added green pistachios for a natural green color, but you can also add green sprinkles for more St. Patrick's Day punch.
Get the Ricotta Cheesecake recipe.
Gold Champagne Cupcakes
These cupcakes are boozy enough for the holiday thanks to the champagne. Plus, they look like cute little pots of gold!
Get the Gold Champagne Cupcakes recipe.
Apple Cake
Apple cake will transport you to the rolling hills of the Emerald Isle. It's a traditional Irish dessert that's cozy, comforting, and family-friendly.
Get the Apple Cake recipe.
Irish Soda Bread
You don't need to be a pro baker to make Irish soda bread—heck, you don't even need to be Irish! The simple recipe gets a touch of sweetness from the golden raisins and dried cranberries. Serve it up warm with butter or jam.
Get the Irish Soda Bread recipe.
Irish Hills Cupcakes
Not only will the kids love decorating these cuties with sprinkles, but the green cream cheese frosting also mimics the hills of Ireland.
Get the Irish Hills Cupcakes recipe.
Whiskey-Maple Ice Cream Sundaes with Bacon
Ree Drummond knows a thing or two about great bacon combos. Her creative bacon sundae goes the extra St. Paddy's mile with a homemade whiskey sauce! The sweet, sticky drizzle is bold and perfect for pairing with smoked bacon.
Get Ree's Whiskey-Maple Ice Cream Sundaes recipe.
Shortbread Cookies
Crisp and flavorful, these shortbread-style cookies, while totally delicious in and of themselves, shouldn't just be eaten alone. To give it an Irish spin, add Irish butter and enjoy with a cup of Irish coffee.
Get Ree's Shortbread Cookies recipe.
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
You're probably always looking for excuses to enjoy Key lime pie. This cupcake version is perfect for St. Patrick's Day with aesthetic lime slices on top.
Get the Key Lime Pie Cupcakes recipe.
Guinness Float
For a spiked treat, try this super easy Guinness float, perfect for the day. Make it with chocolate or coffee ice cream for extra flavor!
Get the Guinness Float recipe.
Grasshopper Pie
Try this boozy marshmallow pie for St. Patrick's Day. Use a few drops of food coloring to turn it a festive shade of green.
Get the Grasshopper Pie recipe.
Homemade Shamrock Shake
It's easy to put your own twist on this recipe! It's made with vanilla ice cream, mint extract, and as much whipped cream as your heart desires. Add a sprig of mint or maraschino cherries to the top for a festive flourish.
Get the Homemade Shamrock Shake recipe.
Matcha Panna Cotta
This custard-like dessert is surprisingly easy to make. Add matcha into the mix to make it ready for St. Patrick's Day.
Get the Matcha Panna Cotta recipe.
Irish Coffee Cookies
Each one of these coffee-infused double chocolate chip cookies is topped with a creamy Baileys Irish Cream frosting and a fudgy chocolate ganache. It's the best treat to serve alongside your favorite cup of coffee.
Get the Irish Coffee Cookies recipe at Sugar and Soul.
St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Cake
This might look like one giant shamrock, but it's actually a pull-apart cupcake cake! It looks impressive and it's great for feeding a crowd.
Get the St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Cake recipe at Yellow Bliss Road.
Lucky Charms Cereal Ice Cream
With a simple vanilla custard base and a colorful assortment of Lucky Charms marshmallows, this ice cream really does taste like cereal! You'll want to keep it stashed in your freezer for St. Paddy's Day and beyond!
Get the Lucky Charms Cereal Ice Cream recipe at Sugar and Charm.
Green Velvet Cupcakes
You've likely heard of red velvet, but have you ever seen a green velvet cupcake before?! It has the same great flavor (including the cream cheese frosting), but it's made with green food coloring instead.
Get the Green Velvet Cupcakes recipe at Garnish and Glaze.
Irish Soda Bread Muffins
Irish soda bread typically has a subtle sweetness, so to make this muffin version a little more dessert-ready, add a sprinkle of coarse sparkling sugar on top.
Get the Irish Soda Bread Muffins recipe at Well Plated by Erin.
No-Bake Irish Cream Cheesecake
This extra-creamy cheesecake is sitting on a mint chocolate Oreo crust. But the best part is—you don't even need to turn on the oven to make it!
Get the No-Bake Irish Cream Cheesecake recipe at A Classic Twist.
Bailey's Chocolate Mousse Brownies
This recipe is equal parts rich chocolate brownie and fluffy Bailey's mousse. All in all, it's a chocolate dessert you won't want to miss.
Get the Bailey's Chocolate Mousse Brownies recipe at The Domestic Rebel.
Bailey's Tres Leches Cake
This classic Latin American cake gets an Irish spin by adding Bailey's Irish Cream to the sweetened condensed milk mixture. It's milky, boozy, and so delicious.
Get the Bailey's Tres Leches Cake recipe at Hummingbird High.
Leprechaun Bait
Enlist your kiddos to help make this fun treat. The mix of cereals, candy, white chocolate, and Lucky Charm Marshmallows will have everyone reaching for more.
Get the Leprechaun Bait recipe at Simple Joy.
Irish Potato Candy
No, those aren't mini potatoes you see! This old-fashioned candy is filled with a sweet cream cheese and coconut, then rolled in cinnamon to look like cute little Irish potatoes.
Get the Irish Potato Candy recipe at Dinner Then Dessert.
St. Patrick's Day Dessert Pizza
Pizza for dessert? Yes, please! This pizza pie is all things sweet thanks to the sugar cookie dough and layers of chocolate and whipped cream.
Get the St. Patrick's Day Dessert Pizza recipe at Grandbaby Cakes.
Pot of Gold St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes
It doesn't get much cuter than these festive, green cupcakes. Each one is decorated with a sour rainbow candy and a chocolate-peanut butter cup topped with gold sprinkles.
Get the Pot of Gold St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes recipe at Sugar and Soul.
Chocolate Stout Layer Cake
You'll want the lick the Baileys buttercream frosting right from the bowl. Chocolate and beer lovers alike will be obsessed with this cake.
Get the Chocolate Stout Layer Cake recipe at Butter Be Ready.
Baileys Cookies and Cream Parfaits
Another awesome no-bake dessert! These rich, creamy parfaits are an adult version of the dirt cups your kids love.
Get the Baileys Cookies and Cream Parfaits recipe at Homemade Hooplah.
Baileys Irish Cream Fudge
For an easy treat you can gift to family and friends, make this delicious Baileys Irish cream fudge.
Get the Baileys Irish Cream Fudge recipe at Love Bakes Good Cakes.
Shamrock Cookies
Keep it simple with these cute shamrock sugar cookies. Dip the corners in chocolate and decorate with green sprinkles.
Get the Shamrock Sugar Cookies recipe at If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen.
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