Vanilla Bean St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
These Vanilla Bean St. Patrick’s Day Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional holiday treats, featuring a soft, buttery texture and rich vanilla flavor, perfect for festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 whole vanilla bean, seeds from
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 vanilla bean seeds from for frosting
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk, at room temperature
- 1.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract for frosting
- salt, to taste
- optional: gel food coloring for tinting
- optional: sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
Preparation
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed for about 3 minutes until creamy. Add the vanilla bean seeds and mix for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. If the dough is sticky, add 1 more tablespoon of flour.
- Divide the dough, roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness, and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
Baking
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut dough into shapes and bake for 11-12 minutes until lightly browned. Allow cooling.
Frosting
- For buttercream frosting, beat the butter and vanilla bean seeds together until creamy.
- Add confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Mix on low, then on medium-high for 2 minutes.
- Decorate cooled cookies with frosting and sprinkles as desired.
Notes
Store cookies covered at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for the best texture. Refrigerate the dough long enough for easier rolling and cutting. Consider adding food coloring to your frosting for a fun, festive look.