St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Cookies

St. Patrick’s Day is a week away and there are certainly throngs of people preparing for all-green celebrations starting this weekend. Once the green beer starts flowing, you’ll be in need of snacks. Always a crowd favorite, I love any excuse to decorate sugar cookies, so I couldn’t let St. Patrick’s Day float on by without dressing up some shamrocks. I made a few different varieties, but I think I’m partial to the sprinkles and the smiley. Check out the close-ups below and let me know which is your favorite!

A simple cookie that was sprinkled with green sanding sugar immediately after the royal icing went on, so it would stick:

One of many characteristic Irish sayings, along with “Erin Go Bragh”:

This cookie was inspired by Bridget at Bake at 350, although her hearts are definitely prettier than mine :)

And finally, I saved the my favorite for last – the smiley shamrock cookie. In Pittsburgh there is a local restaurant chain, Eat n’ Park, that sells “Smiley” sugar cookies. They always have different varieties for the holidays, so I decided to make some of my shamrocks “smiley” shamrocks:

Resources:

♦  Sugar cookie recipe

♦  How to decorate cookies with royal icing