St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

By Angela Sellari

There are a few things that instantly come to mind when I think about St Patrick’s Day – shamrocks, the color green, and peppermint. These super fun and delicious St Patrick’s Day Cupcakes encompass all of these things, in the spirit of the holiday. The cupcakes have layers of peppermint flavor, and inside each cupcake you’ll find a surprise.

You know I’m all about semi-homemade recipes, so to create these cupcakes you can use your favorite prepared sugar cookie dough and chocolate cake mix. We’ll just be doctoring them up a bit to create something extra special!

I baked a piece of Peppermint Patty inside each cupcake, and took advantage of a 50% off discount on the Valentine’s Day candies. They melt when they bake, so it doesn’t matter if they’re not round.

For the Shamrock Cookies

Prepare your favorite sugar cookie recipe or use prepared refrigerator dough. Add several drops of green food coloring to the dough and knead until it is well incorporated. Cut cookies from dough, using a small shamrock shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle tops of cookies with green sugar sprinkles. Bake according to recipe or package directions.

For the Cupcakes

Prepare your favorite chocolate cake mix or recipe, adding 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Fill paper lined muffin cups 1/2 way full. Place a piece of Peppermint Patty candy on top of the cupcake batter. Spoon remaining batter on top of candy.

For the Frosting

I prepared my favorite butter cream frosting recipe, adding 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and 3 drops of green food coloring. Using a pastry bag and a large star tip, swirl the frosting on to tops of cooled cupcakes. Garnish each cupcake with a shamrock cookie.

If you enjoyed these St Patrick’s Day Cupcakes, please check out these other recipes and crafts for St Patrick’s Day: Green Macaroni and Cheese, Pea Pesto, and Leprechaun Paper Plate Craft.