Name: Saint Patrick's Day Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 44 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 medium eggs; 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ cup milk (or non-dairy alternative); 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 4 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3-4 tablespoons milk (or non-dairy alternative); green food coloring (liquid or gel); rainbow candy strips; edible gold flakes/strips, dazzle dust or gold sprinkles (for the ends of the rainbow, optional))

Get ready to “lick” the luck of the Irish with these St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes! Whether you’re chasing leprechauns or just craving something sweet, these cupcakes are here to bring a little green and a whole lot of fun to your celebration.

These St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes are so good, they might just make you believe in leprechauns! Prepare for a sweet treat that’s magically delicious—no pot of gold required!

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 medium eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup milk (or non-dairy alternative)
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons milk (or non-dairy alternative)
Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
Rainbow candy strips
Edible gold flakes/strips, dazzle dust or gold sprinkles (for the ends of the rainbow, optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 4: Add the eggs, mixing well to incorporate them into the mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.

Step 6: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.

Step 7: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

Step 9: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.

Step 10: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated.

Step 11: Stir in the vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of milk. Add more milk, one tablespoon at a time , until you reach a spreadable consistency.

Step 12: Add green food coloring until you achieve the desired shade of green.

Step 13: Once the cupcakes are cooled, frost them generously with the green icing. Use a spatula or palette knife for better results.

Step 14: Take rainbow candy strips and cut them into pieces long enough to form a small arch on top of each cupcake.

Step 15: Gently press both ends of the rainbow strip into the icing to create a rainbow arch.

Step 16: Sprinkle gold flakes and sprinkles at the end of the rainbow. You can also use liquorice candy to resemble a vessel/pot of gold and add sprinkles and/or gold flakes on top.

So, whether you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day bash or just want to add some festive fun to your day, these cupcakes are sure to impress! With a touch of green and a whole lot of flavor, they’re the perfect sweet ending to your lucky celebrations.

Saint Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with these festive and delicious cupcakes! Packed with flavor and fun, they’re the perfect treat to add some luck and sweetness to your celebration.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Saint Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 44

Servings 12

Ingredients

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup unsalted butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 medium eggs
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup milk or non-dairy alternative

For the green icing:

1 cup unsalted butter softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons milk or non-dairy alternative
green food coloring liquid or gel

For the rainbow decoration:

rainbow candy strips
edible gold flakes/strips, dazzle dust or gold sprinkles for the ends of the rainbow, optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the eggs mixing well to incorporate to the mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated.
Stir in the vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of milk. Add more milk, one tablespoon at a time , until you reach a spreadable consistency.
Add green food coloring until you achieve the desired shade of green.
Once the cupcakes are cooled, frost them generously with the green icing. Use a spatula or palette knife for better results.
Take rainbow candy strips and cut them into pieces long enough to form a small arch on top of each cupcake.
Gently press both ends of the rainbow strip into the icing to create a rainbow arch.
Sprinkle gold flakes and sprinkles at the end of the rainbow. You can also use liquorice candy to resemble a vessel/pot of gold and add sprinkles and/or gold flakes on top.