Description
These Vanilla Bean Shamrock Cookies are soft, buttery, and infused with real vanilla bean flavor. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any festive occasion, they can be enjoyed plain or decorated with a luscious vanilla bean buttercream for an extra touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Seeds from 1 whole vanilla bean
- Egg
- Pure vanilla extract
For the Vanilla Bean Buttercream:
- Unsalted butter
- Seeds from ½ of a vanilla bean
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk
- Pure vanilla extract
- Optional: Gel food coloring and sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add in the vanilla bean seeds, egg, and vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
- If the dough feels too soft, add a little extra flour.
Step 2: Roll and Chill
- Divide the dough into two portions and roll each to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Lay the rolled dough between parchment paper layers and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Step 3: Cut and Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Using a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter (or any shape you like), cut out the cookies and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely before decorating.
Step 4: Make the Buttercream
- Beat the butter and vanilla bean seeds until creamy.
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
- Adjust with a pinch of salt if needed.
- For a festive touch, mix in gel food coloring.
Step 5: Decorate and Enjoy
- Spread or pipe the buttercream onto the cooled cookies.
- Use sprinkles or decorative piping techniques for extra charm.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least an hour to make it easier to handle and cut.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Experiment with different food coloring shades for a unique festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American