Name: St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 54 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 36 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature); 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 2 ½ cups all purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ cup sprinkles; 1 ½ cups icing sugar; ½ cup unsalted butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon milk; ¼ cup sprinkles; 3 to 5 drops green food coloring (optional)

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into soft, festive cookies paired with a sweet, fluffy dip. This St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe is one of my go-to treats when I want something fun, colorful, and downright delicious to celebrate the holiday with friends and family.

A white bowl filled with light green whipped dip topped with small round white, green, and gold sprinkles plus green shamrock-shaped sprinkles sits in the middle of the image. Two shamrock-shaped cookies with small green specks are standing upright in the dip. Surrounding the bowl is a layer of many shamrock-shaped cookies, each beige with small green specks. The entire scene is placed on a white marbled surface with a green textured cloth seen in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love making these cookies because they bring so much cheerful color and fun to the kitchen. Plus, the buttercream dip adds that extra touch of indulgence that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Celebrate in style: Perfectly themed for St. Patrick’s Day with festive sprinkles and optional green coloring for that holiday spirit.
Soft and tender cookies: These sugar cookies stay soft and flavorful, making them ideal for dipping or enjoying on their own.
Easy to customize: You can adjust the dip’s flavor and colors to match your mood or occasion.
Great for sharing: This recipe yields 24 cookies—enough to delight a party or batch bake for gift-giving.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for this recipe is pretty straightforward—most ingredients are pantry staples. Just look for quality butter and fresh eggs for the best results, and pick sprinkles that make you smile. Here’s a quick rundown so you know what each ingredient brings to the table.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter at room temperature, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt crystals, a small white bowl with baking soda powder, a small white bowl filled with colorful sprinkles, a small white bowl of icing sugar, a small white bowl of smooth unsalted butter, a small white bowl of milk, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a few green-dyed sprinkles scattered nearby, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: At room temperature for easy creaming, providing rich flavor and tenderness to both cookies and buttercream.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies just right and helps with that slight crispness on the edges.
Eggs: Bind everything together while adding moisture for soft cookies.
All-purpose flour: The foundation for a sturdy but soft dough that holds shapes beautifully.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
Baking soda: Gives a gentle rise and light texture to the cookies.
Sprinkles: Rainbow colors mixed into the dough and topping the dip add festive visual appeal and a fun crunch.
Icing sugar: Whipped into the buttercream dip for an ultra-smooth and sweet finish.
Vanilla extract: Adds warm, mellow flavor to both cookies and dip.
Milk: Adjusts buttercream consistency, making it perfect for dipping.
Green food coloring (optional): For that classic St. Patrick’s Day look—totally optional but so fun!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about the St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your taste or dietary needs. Whether you're after a classic sprinkle-studded cookie or a unique twist, there's room to get creative and make this festive treat truly your own.

Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative once, and it worked like a charm! Just keep an eye on the texture of the dough—sometimes you need a little extra flour or even a splash of milk to get the perfect consistency.
Color & Flavor Twist: Instead of green food coloring, try using natural matcha powder in your buttercream dip for an earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet cookies. Plus, it adds a lovely green hue without artificial dyes.
Sprinkle Substitutes: On a nutty note, chopped pistachios or almonds make a delightful alternative to sprinkles in the cookie dough. They add texture and a slight crunch that keeps each bite interesting!
Thicker or Thinner Dip: If you prefer a more decadent dip, adding extra icing sugar makes it thicker and richer. Conversely, a splash more milk keeps the dip light and easy to scoop.

Step-by-Step: How I Make St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe

The image shows light-colored, bear-shaped cookies with small green specks all over them, stacked on a round wooden board on top of a green towel. On the top cookie, there is a thick dollop of pale green frosting with small darker green bits, looking soft and fluffy. In the background, a white bowl with ridges contains more of the same green frosting, slightly out of focus. The scene is set on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon baking soda in a medium bowl. This dry mix is the foundation for our cookie dough, so set it aside while you work on the wet ingredients. Having your dry ingredients prepped keeps the process flowing smoothly once you start mixing.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Eggs Until Fluffy

In a large bowl, beat ½ cup of room temperature unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Aim for a light, fluffy texture—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Then, add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing well to combine. This creamy base is what gives your cookies that soft, tender crumb.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry, Then Fold in Sprinkles

Slowly add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients, beating at low speed to create a dough. Once the dough just comes together, gently fold in ¼ cup of colorful sprinkles with a spatula. This step ensures the sprinkles stay intact and evenly distributed without bleeding color into the dough.

Step 4: Chill the Dough for Perfect Roll-Out

Divide the dough into two equal balls. Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Chilling solidifies the butter, making the dough easier to roll and preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking. For best results, let it chill the full 2 hours.

Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with one dough ball at a time, roll it out on a floured surface to about ⅛ inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create festive shapes, then place each cookie on the baking sheets, spaced slightly apart.

Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cool cookies ensure the buttercream dip doesn’t melt on contact.

Step 6: Whip Up the Buttercream Dip

While your cookies cool, it's time for the dip! Beat together 1 ½ cups icing sugar and ½ cup unsalted butter until creamy and smooth. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon milk gradually until you reach the perfect consistency—smooth but scoopable.

If you're feeling festive, stir in 3 to 5 drops of green food coloring and a handful of sprinkles. Remember, if the dip is too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, sprinkle in some extra icing sugar.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy Together

Transfer the buttercream dip to a serving bowl and arrange your colorful St. Patrick's Day cookies around it. This pairing is not just pretty to look at but also a delightful blend of soft, sweet cookies and creamy, fluffy dip. It’s perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or enjoying as a special treat with family.

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the most out of your St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe, making the process smooth and the results even tastier!

Chill the Dough Properly: I’ve found that chilling the dough for the full 1 to 2 hours makes it much easier to roll out thinly without sticking or tearing, resulting in perfectly shaped cookies every time.
Don’t Overbake: I learned the hard way that baking even a minute or two longer can dry the cookies out. Aim for that light golden edge and pull them from the oven right away for a soft, tender bite.
Adjust Dip Consistency Slowly: When mixing the buttercream dip, add milk one teaspoon at a time — it's easier to thin it out gradually than to fix a runny dip. This little patience saves a lot of frustration!
Use a Good Vanilla Extract: A quality vanilla extract takes the buttercream dip from good to homemade-gourmet. It’s a simple upgrade that makes a noticeable difference.

How to Serve St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe

A thin layer of light yellow dough with small green specks is rolled out flat on a sheet of white parchment paper, which rests on a white marbled surface. The dough has several flower-shaped cookie outlines pressed closely together, with one metal flower-shaped cutter placed on the dough near the bottom center, positioned inside an uncut flower shape. Two flower shapes have been fully removed from the dough, revealing the white marbled surface beneath. To the right of the dough lies a wooden rolling pin, and to the left, a metal dough scraper with a wooden handle is partially visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Make these festive treats even more inviting by garnishing with extra green sprinkles or edible gold dust for a touch of St. Patrick’s Day magic. Fresh mint leaves can also add a subtle aroma when placed alongside the serving bowl.

Side Dishes

If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, pair these St. Patrick’s Cookies with a warm cup of Irish breakfast tea, or for an added indulgence, serve alongside rich hot chocolate or a smooth Bailey’s Irish Cream latte. For a savory contrast, some light cheese and cracker plates work beautifully too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. Keep the buttercream dip refrigerated in a covered container and bring to room temperature before serving again for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookies unbaked or baked. For dough, wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 1 month. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator before rolling. Baked cookies freeze well in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw cookies at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Reheat cookies gently for about 5 to 7 minutes at 300°F in the oven to restore softness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them chewy or rubbery. As for the buttercream dip, stir it well after reaching room temperature before serving to bring back its creamy goodness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different colors or flavors for the buttercream dip?

Absolutely! You can change the food coloring to any shade you prefer or add extracts like peppermint or almond to flavor the buttercream dip, making it perfect for any celebration.

How many cookies does this recipe make?

This recipe yields 24 cookies, ideal for sharing with family, friends, or at parties.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just keep in mind you might need to adjust the flour quantity slightly to get the right dough consistency.

What’s the best way to keep the buttercream dip stable during serving?

Keep the buttercream dip chilled until just before serving, and if needed, give it a quick stir to refresh the texture. Avoid leaving it out for too long to prevent it from melting or becoming too soft.

Final Thoughts

Baking these St. Patrick's Cookies with Buttercream Dip Recipe is truly a joyful experience that brings a festive sparkle to your holiday table. Whether you're baking with kids, hosting a party, or simply craving a sweet treat, this recipe’s soft cookies and fluffy dip hit all the right notes. I hope you enjoy making—and more importantly, sharing—these colorful, delicious bites as much as I do. Happy baking and Happy St. Patrick's Day!