Description
Leprechaun Bites are delightful, festive bite-sized cookies perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. These buttery, soft treats are loaded with green and white sprinkles and mini chocolate chips, with an optional touch of green food coloring to add a holiday flair. Easy to prepare and bake, they’re a fun and colorful dessert that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: a few drops of green food coloring
Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup green and white sprinkles
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated, adding depth to the flavor of the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to maintain tender cookies.
- Add Green Tint (Optional): If desired, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the dough is evenly tinted with a festive green color.
- Fold in Sprinkles and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the green and white sprinkles and mini chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape Dough Balls: Scoop out small 1-inch balls of dough and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Flatten Slightly: Gently flatten each dough ball slightly with your fingers to help the cookies bake evenly and maintain their bite-sized shape.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the prepared dough balls for 30 minutes to firm up the butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Preheat Oven: While chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for optimal baking temperature.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the dough balls for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly and achieve a tender texture.
Notes
- For extra crunch and festive flair, substitute sanding sugar or candy bits for the regular sprinkles.
- These cookies freeze well. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month, and thaw at room temperature before serving.
