Description

St. Patrick’s Day Green Velvet Cookies Recipe and steps

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp green food coloring (adjust as needed)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking. Using parchment paper also makes cleaning up easier.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This process helps incorporate air into the dough, resulting in softer cookies. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Food Coloring

Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor. Then, add the green food coloring, a little at a time, until you achieve the desired vibrant green color. The food coloring is what gives these cookies their festive St. Patrick’s Day look!

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these ingredients separately ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring slowly to avoid over-mixing. The dough should be thick but smooth. Over-mixing can make the cookies dense rather than soft and chewy.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape the Cookies

Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out even portions of the dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread slightly as they bake, so ensure they have enough room.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers should still be soft. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing continuously until the frosting becomes fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.

Step 9: Frost the Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting over the tops. You can use a piping bag with a decorative tip for a more professional look or simply use a spatula to spread an even layer.

Step 10: Decorate for St. Patrick’s Day

For a festive touch, sprinkle gold sugar pearls or green sprinkles over the frosting. You can also add edible shamrock decorations to enhance the St. Patrick’s Day theme.

Notes

Be sure to let the cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
If you prefer a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert

Nutrition

Calories: 280
Sodium: 140mg
Protein: 3g

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