Melt the green candy coating according to package directions giving special care not to overheat the candy. If the candy coating is overheated, it will be too thick. You can add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable shortening to help thin the candy but do not add any other type of liquid as the candy will seize and harden.

Prepare a baking sheet or cutting board with waxed paper.

Dip each cookie into the green candy melts until covering about ⅓ of the cookie. Shake to remove excess candy and then place on waxed paper to harden.

After all the cookies are dipped, pour remaining candy melts into a piping bag with a fine tip or a zip-top freezer bag with a small corner snipped. Create a line of candy melts across each cookie where the dipped area meets the cookie to create a hat brim. Repeat the line if desired to create a thicker looking brim. Allow to set completely before proceeding.

Melt orange candy and place in a piping bag, freezer bag, or squeeze bottle. Apply the candy melts to the cookie to create a beard. Allow to set completely before proceeding.

Melt the back candy and pour into a piping bag with a fine tip or a zip-top freezer bag with a small corner snipped. Create a line of candy melts across each cookie just above the hat brim. Immediately press a shamrock sprinkle into the black line.

Using a toothpick, apply a small amount of black candy melts to the back of a candy eyeball. Press into place on the leprechaun’s face and repeat with the other eye.

Allow candy coating to harden before serving or packaging.