These Shamrock Shake Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive and fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They combine the sweet, minty flavors of a classic Shamrock Shake with the satisfying texture of a sugar cookie, topped with a rich, mint-infused frosting and cheerful green sugar. Maraschino cherries add a bright, festive touch, making these bars a perfect treat for any springtime gathering.
Ingredients:
For the Cookie Bars:
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup, softened
- Brown Sugar: ½ cup
- Granulated Sugar: ½ cup
- Large Egg: 1
- Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon
- Mint Extract: ½ teaspoon
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 ½ cups
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Green Gel Color: as needed
For the Frosting:
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup, softened
- Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon
- Mint Extract: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon
- Powdered Sugar: 3 ½ cups
- Heavy Whipping Cream: 6 tablespoons
- Green Sanding Sugar: for topping
- Maraschino Cherries: 1 – 10 ounce jar, stems attached
Directions:
- Prepare the Cookie Base: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9×13 pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Mix in egg and extracts.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until a stiff dough forms. Color the dough with green gel to desired shade.
- Bake: Press the dough into the prepared pan and bake for 14 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat butter, extracts, and salt until creamy. Alternately add powdered sugar and cream, beating until light and fluffy.
- Decorate: Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with green sanding sugar and top each bar with a dried cherry.
Tips:
- Soften butter to room temperature for easier creaming.
- Add food coloring gradually to reach the desired shade without oversaturating the dough.
- Ensure cookie base is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Dry cherries thoroughly to prevent sugar from dissolving.
FAQs:
- Can I use peppermint extract instead of mint extract? Yes, peppermint extract will give a stronger, more seasonal flavor.
- How do I store these bars? Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Can I freeze the cookie bars? Yes, freeze them without the frosting for up to 3 months and add frosting after thawing.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour (includes cooling)
Yield: 24 bars
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Conclusion: Shamrock Shake Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect way to add a little leprechaun magic to your St. Patrick’s Day festivities. With their minty flavor, vibrant green hue, and festive topping of cherries and sugar, these bars are sure to be a hit. Enjoy the process of making them as much as you enjoy eating them, and share the luck of the Irish with everyone who gets a taste!