Kidzworld Kitchen: St. Patrick’s Day Treats

Lads and lassies it’s that time of year again to don our green garments and celebrate the Irish holiday of St. Patrick's Day! A holiday marked all over the world with festivals and parades began as a feast day for Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was a British missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland and died on March 17, 461. This day happens to fall right in the middle of Lent, a time of year that Christians have restrictions on eating and drinking. But on March 17 the restrictions were lifted and eating, drinking and fun was had by all!

So in honor of these old traditions here are some delicious recipes for green-themed desserts

O’Minty Chocolate Cookies

O'Minty Chocolate Cookies
Courtesy of Love Sugar Cakes

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 2 + 3/4 cup flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 – 10 drops of green food coloring
• 2 cups chocolate mint baking chips.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy (Hint! Use a standing mixer or hand mixer, if you have one)
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix again
4. In another bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt
5. Slowly to the butter mixture until it is all combined
6. Add green food coloring (Hint! Add more or less until you get the shade of green you want, keep in mind that the colour will lighten when it bakes)
7. Add mint chips and mix until evenly distributed through the dough
8. On a greased (or parchment paper lined) cookie sheet put tablespoons of cookie dough
9. Bake for 12 – 14 minutes
10. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

Lucky Cupcakes

Lucky Cupcakes
Courtesy of Love Sugar Cakes

Ingredients:

• 1 + 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• Lucky Charms cereal
• Green sprinkles
• (Hint! You could also opt to use a boxed cake mix and follow the instructions)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Insert cupcake liners into baking tin (Hint! A large assortment of themed cupcake liners can be found at any craft/baking supply/discount or department store)
3. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and vanilla extract in a bowl.
4. Melt the butter at low heat and add to the dry ingredients. Also add milk and eggs.
5. Mix everything together until smooth, either by hand or by using an electric mixer at slow speed.
6. Divide evenly into cupcake pan and bake for 8-12 minutes (Hint! Test to see if cupcakes are cooked by inserting a wooden toothpick in the center, if they come out clean they are ready)
7. Cool on a wire rack

Buttercream Icing for Lucky Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup salted butter, at room temperature
• 2½ cups powdered sugar (Hint! Powdered sugar is sometimes called ‘icing sugar’)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Jar of maraschino cherries

Instructions:

1. Using a electric hand mixer or stand up mixer beat butter on medium speed
2. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the sugar
3. Add vanilla
4. Beat for approximately 2 minutes until the icing is light and fluffy
5. For the very polished look of pro cupcakes purchase a simple icing bag and tip set (Hint! Can be found at any craft/baking/supply/discount or department store)
6. Frost cupcakes in a swirl pattern and top with a cherry
7. Display on trays or cake stands

Remember, be creative, have fun and above all, safety first! Always talk to the adult in charge before you get your chef on! Happy baking little leprechauns!

Recipes courtesy of Love Sugar Cakes