Shamrock Sugar Cookies

Well here’s a fun little baking project to do with the kids for St. Patricks day coming up! They are sweet, buttery chewy little sugar cookies with a little added green sugar on top. Why not be festive for the holiday?!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2-4 drop green food gel or food coloring (I prefer gel, the colors are richer)
• green decorating sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with a paddle, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Then add in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract mix until combined. Carefully add in the flour and salt and continue to mix until the dough forms and comes together. Then add in the green food coloring or gel. Continue to mix until the dough is turned green.

Form into a disk about 1/2 inch thick wrap into plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.

Once you’re ready to roll it out, cut into quarters. Start by rolling little 2 tsp balls. Pinch two of them together and create a heart shape, and flatten slightly. Place the little heart on the prepared baking pan and continue with three more little hearts to create the shamrock. Then roll out a little 1 inch stem. Continue with the rest of the dough. Sprinkle the green decorating sugar on top and bake for about 8-10 minutes. Until crisp on edges but still soft in the center.

Allow cookies to cool slightly before transferring. Store in an air tight container for 3-5 days.