31 St. Patrick's Day Treats We'd Be Lucky to Feast On
From chocolatey Guinness pudding to crumbly currant-caraway shortbread.
ByErin Alexander
Published On
Photo by James Ransom
While everyone celebrates St. Patrick's Day differently (parades, family dinners, you name it), come March 17 you'll be most likely to find me in the kitchen, with a few friends, cooking up something special (corned beef and cabbage is always a go-to). Oh, and something sweet, too.
From classic favorites (hello there, crumbly shortbread and fluffy bread pudding) to some not-so-traditional ideas (like creamy Guinness ice cream and bright-green cheesecake), here are 31 of our best St. Patrick's Day treats and dessert recipes.
Our 31 Best St. Patrick's Day Treats
You'll want to make a big batch of these Irish coffee-inspired cupcakes, which not only get brushed with whiskey after baking, but have a hearty dose of Irish cream in the frosting.
Here, another classic dessert with a twist—this time, it's chocolate pudding with a splash of malty-sweet Guinness stout.
Even though cinnamon rolls are technically more Scandinavian than Irish, we can't help but picture ourselves digging in to this salted caramel and (Irish) whiskey-filled version on St. Patrick's Day.
If the weather's particularly chilly this St. Patrick's Day, consider pouring yourself (and your friends and family) a cozy-warm mug of this Guinness and whiskey-spiked hot chocolate.
If you're looking for a green dessert that doesn't call on artificial coloring, look no further than this Genius-approved cake that gets its natural hue from parsley and mint.
This raisin-studded Irish soda bread is moist, tender, and ever-so-slightly sweet. Just don't be tempted to sneak a slice while it's still warm from the oven—it'll crumble in your fingers.
In case you hadn't heard, beer and chocolate make a winning combination. Case in point: these creamy-rich truffles made with dark chocolate and a stout beer (like Guinness).
Community member calendargirl calls this recipe "a shortbread lover's version of Irish soda bread." The result: a sweet-meets-savory crumbly cookie we'd happily eat any time of day or year.
If you're looking for a brighter pop of green, make these minty Oreo meringues which unapologetically use food coloring to achieve a vibrant color.
10. Irish Coffee
Is it even St. Patrick's Day if you don't have a sip of Irish coffee? If for you, the answer is no, then you must make this sublime version (psst: it's the best).
A top-notch rendition of a decades-old drink, this green grasshopper shake hits all the right notes.
Start the St. Patrick's Day celebrations off first thing in the morning with a stack of these spiced stout waffles—or better yet, top them with the Guinness ice cream below for dessert.
That Guinness ice cream we just mentioned a second ago? Yes, it's very, very good. The Guinness adds a unparalleled rich maltiness to the custard base.
This delectable Irish bread pudding gets its heartiness from whole wheat bread, pitch-perfect sweetness from apples and turbinado sugar, and a punchy kick from spices and Irish whiskey.
These personal-size, Guinness-y riffs on traditional English sticky toffee pudding would feel right at home at a St. Patrick's Day party.
16. Avocado Gelado
Avocado + ice cream? Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. The creamy green fruit (yep, it's a fruit) lends this "gelado" an irresistibly rich texture.
A flavorful vanilla porter lends this rye bread a crisp crust, tender crumb, and wonderfully yeasty fragrance—we like it slathered with salted butter or jam.
18. The Snake Bite
The name might seem scary, but there are no snakes (nor bites!) in sight. Named after the cocktail combining lager and cider, this cake forgoes the lager for a deep, dark stout, and the frosting features pear—not apple—cider.
Ok, so doughnuts aren't Irish, but you could drizzle these in a festive green (or gold!) glaze to make them holiday-worthy.
This minty green ice cream gets an extra hit of color (and earthy freshness) thanks to matcha powder.
21. Irish Cream
You can prep a pitcher or two of this whiskey and espresso-spiked Irish cream up to a week ahead of the festivities and store it in the fridge.
Whiskey + butter? Brilliant. (If you want to skip the alcohol, vanilla extract makes an equally delicious substitute.)
In this recipe, regular old chocolate chip cookies get a zingy boost of freshly chopped mint.
This contest-winning recipe combines two of our favorites—scones and bread. This version is perfumed with warm, cozy spices thanks to the streusel filling, but you could also try it with espresso powder or orange zest.
This marvelous whiskey caramel sauce would make a lovely take-home treat for guests at a St. Patrick's Day party (don't forget to send us our invite, okay?).
If you're not worried about sticking to Irish classics, then you may want to add this vividly green matcha and black sesame cheesecake to your dessert table.
Say hello to the minty chocolate treat all the kids at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations will want to dive right into.
28. Coffee Pudding
This coffee pudding is a dessert-ified, non-alcoholic version of an Irish coffee.
29. Apple Pie Tart
Apple pie is actually one of the top comfort foods in Ireland. What's not to love about an apple pie tart? (Nothing.)
...As is a lemon pudding tart! Apparently this citrusy sponge cake can be made with or without the whipped cream topping, but we can't think of any good reason one would want to omit it.
If you've got some extra mashed potatoes left over from making savory Irish dishes, use them in this divine chocolate cake (seriously).
What will you be making for St. Patrick's Day this year? Tell us in the comments below!