Get ready to embrace the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with these adorable and tasty Green Cherry Shamrock Cookies. These treats combine the sweetness of white chocolate chips with the festive touch of green candied cherries, making them perfect for any spring celebration or holiday gathering.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons green nonpareil sprinkles
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Green candied cherries for decoration
Directions:
- Preheat and Prep: Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cherries: Prepare your green candied cherries by cutting some into halves for leaves and others into strips for stems. This will be used to create the shamrock shapes on each cookie.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process introduces air into the batter, helping to produce a lighter cookie.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking powder.
- Make Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stir until just combined. Fold in the green sprinkles and white chocolate chips last to distribute evenly.
- Scoop and Decorate: Using a large cookie scoop, place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press the green cherry pieces into each dough ball to form a shamrock shape.
- Bake: Place the cookies in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes. They should be set but not overly browned to keep them soft and chewy.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This helps them set without falling apart.
Preparation Tips:
- Add a drop of green food coloring to the dough if you desire a more vibrant green color.
- Avoid flattening the cookies too much; the dough should remain thick to ensure the cookies are soft.
- Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness and freshness.
These Green Cherry Shamrock Cookies are not only a festive treat but also a delicious way to add some fun to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Enjoy baking and sharing these sweet, eye-catching cookies!