St. Patrick's Day might be famous for plates of corned beef and cabbage and pints of Irish beer, but there's always room for something sweet at the end of the meal! Once the savory dishes are cleared and everyone's still lingering around the table, that's when a festive St. Patrick's Day dessert really shines. A tray of cupcakes topped with a little gold sparkle or a treat with a bright pop of green feels right at home on March 17, and it's an easy way to bring a little extra fun to the celebration.
You'll certainly find a few traditional Irish desserts like apple cake drizzled with custard. Grownup leprechauns can check out the whiskey-maple ice cream sundaes or opt for something like the Guinness brownies or Irish cream poke cake. However, if you'd rather skip the booze, don't worry! There are plenty of alcohol-free desserts that are just as celebratory.
You'll also find tons of cute ideas like gold-colored cupcakes, green desserts like homemade shamrock shakes, or rainbow-inspired recipes like fruit skewers that are sure to put a smile on any wee one's face. The kids will go crazy for the potato candy pinwheels and the Lucky Charms bars. Any of these treats would be the perfect finishing touch to your St. Patrick's Day party spread! No matter which one you choose, these easy St. Paddy's Day desserts will make anyone feel lucky.
Mint Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
These fun cookies are the prettiest mint green color and have a dreamy texture that's lightly crisp around the edges, tender in the center, and speckled with chocolate. Dip in chocolate or enjoy 'em in their purest form—either way, the green makes them the cutest St. Patrick's Day treat!
Chocolate Guinness Cake
Guinness beer is for more than just drinking on St. Patrick's Day! It also pairs nicely with rich chocolate. And if that weren't enough booze for you, there's a creamy, dreamy Baileys icing poured right over the top of this stunning cake.
Get the Chocolate Guinness Cake recipe.
Lucky Charms Bars
Your favorite childhood cereal makes the perfect base for these adorable treats! Dip them in melted green candy coating and decorate with gold sprinkles and marshmallows for even more adorable sweetness.
Get the Lucky Charms Bars recipe.
Irish Coffee
Why have coffee and dessert when you can have coffee for dessert? Spiked with whiskey and topped with Bailey's whipped cream, it's creamy, boozy, and divine.
Get Ree's Irish Coffee recipe.
Irish Apple Cake
Coffee cake meets apple crumble in this traditional Irish dessert. Enjoy the warm spices, tender fruit, and buttery crumb topping. A decadent vanilla custard sauce is drizzled on top and that's it: a perfect dessert for March 17!
Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe.
Irish Cream Poke Cake
Poke cakes couldn't be easier to make—and they're always a crowd-pleaser! This version starts with a boxed cake mix (one of our favorite recipe shortcuts) and then gets a hearty dose of Irish cream.
Get the Irish Cream Poke Cake recipe.
Guinness Brownies
Calling all Guinness fans! The stout beer made from malted and roasted barley is a surprising ingredient in a chocolate dessert. But the slightly bitter flavor and notes of coffee actually make it pair perfectly with the richness from the brownies.
Get the Guinness Brownies recipe.
Homemade Irish Cream
Did you know you can make Irish cream? It's actually pretty easy and then all you have to do is pour it over ice and sip your dessert. Adults only, of course!
Get Ree's Homemade Irish Cream recipe.
Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Pie
You only need four ingredients to make this minty green-colored ice cream pie. Along with the mint chip ice cream, there's also mint chocolate sandwich cookies layered in!
Get Ree's Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Pie recipe.
Potato Candy
Yes, you can actually make candy with a potato! Though it's quite an American recipe, you can't argue about making it with such an Irish ingredient. (Don't worry, it doesn't taste like a potato.)
Get the Potato Candy recipe.
Mint Fortune Cookies
The bright green color of these homemade fortune cookies makes them perfect for any St. Patrick's Day party. You can even include some Irish sayings on the messages inside.
Get the Mint Fortune Cookies recipe.
Homemade Shamrock Shake
It's easy to put your own twist on this recipe! It's made with vanilla ice cream, mint extract, and as much whipped cream as your heart desires. Add a sprig of mint or maraschino cherries to the top for a festive flourish.
Get the Homemade Shamrock Shake recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Skewers
There's a treat at the end of this rainbow of fruits. It's a special sprinkle-covered donut hole! Get your kids to help build the skewers as a fun St. Paddy's Day activity.
Get the Rainbow Fruit Skewers recipe.
Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet
The sweet-sticky apple topping actually starts out on the bottom of the cake pan. After baking, you flip the cake over to reveal the caramelized topping that's perfect for serving with vanilla ice cream.
Get Ree's Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet recipe.
Gold Champagne Cupcakes
These cupcakes are boozy enough for the holiday thanks to the champagne. Plus, they look like cute little pots of gold!
Get the Gold Champagne Cupcakes recipe.
Whiskey-Maple Ice Cream Sundaes with Bacon
Ree Drummond knows a thing or two about great bacon combos. Her creative bacon sundae goes the extra St. Paddy's mile with a homemade whiskey sauce! The sweet, sticky drizzle is bold and perfect for pairing with smoked bacon.
Get Ree's Whiskey-Maple Ice Cream Sundaes recipe.
Guinness Float
For a spiked treat, try this super easy Guinness float, perfect for the day. Make it with chocolate or coffee ice cream for extra flavor!
Get the Guinness Float recipe.
Grasshopper Pie
Try this boozy marshmallow pie for St. Patrick's Day. Use a few drops of food coloring to turn it a festive shade of green.
Get the Grasshopper Pie recipe.
Raspberry Fool
You'll often find this traditional dessert on Irish tables. It's basically just fruit and whipped cream folded together! You can use pretty much any type of berry, too.
Get Ree's Raspberry Fool recipe.
Grandma's Oatmeal Cake
Oats are just as popular in Ireland as they are in the States. And yes, they bake cookies and cakes with them, too! This version is a little more American, but homey, rustic, and perfect for a little celebration.
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