12 Irish Desserts to Make for the Sweetest St. Patrick's Day
These treats are pure gold.
You've set the table for a traditional Irish dinner on St. Patrick's Day. Celtic music is playing, the Guinness is poured, and everyone's settling in for a cozy night. But before you call it complete, there's one more thing that truly makes it feel like a celebration: dessert! St. Patrick's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate with the most wonderful Irish desserts, whether you keep things classic or have a little fun with it.
You could go sweet and modern with Guinness brownies, or bake something a bit more rooted in tradition like a yummy Irish apple cake. Maybe you're in the mood to splash in a little Irish whiskey or Irish cream liqueur; if so, we have to recommend Ree Drummond's whiskey maple ice cream sundaes or a chocolate Bundt cake with a Baileys glaze. Of course, not every Irish dessert needs alcohol. There are plenty of cookies, rich chocolate desserts, and old fashioned favorites, including a warm bread pudding that tastes like pure comfort. Alongside staples like Irish soda bread, you'll also find fun green desserts like Lucky Charms bars that bring out everyone's inner leprechaun!
The beauty of these desserts is that they're not limited to one day on the calendar. They're perfect for a St. Patrick's Day party on March 17, but they feel just right for a cozy winter weekend. A little sweetness never hurt anyone—and who knows, you might even feel the luck of the Irish with every bite. 😉
Irish Apple Cake
Irish apple cake lands somewhere between coffee cake and a fruit-filled crumble—and that's why it's so good! Tender apples bake into a cinnamon-kissed batter, and there's a buttery oat topping that turns golden in the oven. But the real magic happens when you spoon that warm vanilla custard over each slice and let it seep into all the nooks and crannies!
Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe.
Homemade Irish Cream
Rich, creamy, and just the right amount of indulgent! Homemade Irish cream is one of those things that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. Sip it over ice, stir it into coffee, or add a splash to whipped cream or frosting when you want to dress up a St. Patrick's Day dessert.
Get the Homemade Irish Cream recipe.
Lucky Charms Bars
These are the treats you make when you want something cheerful and a little nostalgic. It's the same idea as a classic cereal bar, but with Lucky Charms, so you get those pastel marshmallows tucked into every square. Not exactly old-school Irish, but they’ll disappear from the platter just the same!
Get the Lucky Charms Bars recipe.
Guinness Chocolate Cake
Did you know that Guinness can be used for more than just drinking? The popular beer also adds a rich and malty flavor to this easy chocolate cake.
Get the Guinness Chocolate Cake recipe.
Whiskey-Maple Ice Cream Sundaes with Bacon
The homemade whiskey sauce on this sundae is bold, sweet, and ultra-creative—just like the Irish! Don't forget to top with a piece of smoky, crispy bacon for the ultimate effect.
Get Ree's Whiskey-Maple Sundaes with Bacon recipe.
Applesauce Cake
A simple apple cake is something you might find on the Emerald Isle, but this version made with chunky applesauce is perfect for when you don't have any apples laying around. It's a pantry recipe we turn to time and time again.
Get the Applesauce Cake recipe.
Guinness Brownies
"Brownies" may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Ireland, but that might just be because you haven't heard of Guinness brownies! Here, the dark, coffee-scented flavors of Guinness pair perfectly with a rich, fudgy brownie texture.
Get the Guinness Brownies recipe.
Irish Soda Bread
This is a must-have on St. Paddy's Day, but really, we could eat it throughout the year too. The best part is that you don't need to let it proof or rise!
Get the Irish Soda Bread recipe.
Irish Coffee
Not only is this coffee infused with Irish whiskey, but it's also topped with a heavenly Baileys-infused whipped cream—which makes it double as dessert.
Get Ree's Irish Coffee recipe.
White Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is a traditional dessert that you'll often find in many Irish households. Typically, it uses leftover bread slices with butter but this variation swaps in buttery croissants instead. The white chocolate and berries make it extra sweet.
Apple Cake
This simple cake is just like the kind an Irish grandma would've made in her kitchen. It's full of warm, comforting spices and baked with love.
Get the Apple Cake recipe.
Guinness Float
You can choose from vanilla, chocolate, or even caramel ice cream for this St. Paddy's Day treat. But if you're anything like Ree Drummond, you might opt for a scoop of coffee!
Get Ree's Guinness Float recipe.
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