galletas trébol con glaseado verde

There's something magical about celebrating St. Patrick's Day with homemade treats, and these shamrock-shaped sugar cookies bring that festive spirit right into your kitchen. Buttery, tender, and beautifully decorated with smooth royal icing in vibrant shades of green, these cookies are more than just a dessert—they're edible works of art that capture the joy of the holiday. Whether you're baking with family, preparing treats for a party, or simply want to add a touch of Irish charm to your day, these shamrock sugar cookies are the perfect way to celebrate.

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The secret to perfect sugar cookies lies in the quality of your ingredients and proper chilling. The butter should be soft but not melted, creating a dough that's easy to roll and holds its shape beautifully during baking. A hint of almond extract adds depth to the vanilla flavor, though it's entirely optional for those with nut allergies. The royal icing transforms these simple cookies into show-stopping treats—its smooth finish and ability to hold vibrant colors makes decorating both fun and rewarding.

Ingredients

• For the Sugar Cookies: 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter (softened), 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• For the Royal Icing: 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar (sifted), 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon juice, green gel food coloring
• For Decorating: Shamrock-shaped cookie cutter, sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using); mix until combined.

Step 4: Combine Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Divide dough in half, shape into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 6: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7: Roll and Cut

Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch (6 mm) thickness. Cut out shamrock shapes and place on prepared baking sheets.

Step 8: Bake

Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Make Royal Icing

In a large bowl, beat together powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder and water), and vanilla or lemon juice until stiff peaks form and the icing is glossy, about 5 minutes.

Step 10: Color the Icing

Divide icing into bowls and tint with green gel food coloring as desired.

Step 11: Decorate

Transfer icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips. Outline and flood cooled cookies. Decorate with sprinkles or glitter if desired. Let icing set for at least 1 hour before serving or packaging.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For best results, let cookies cool completely before icing—any warmth will cause the icing to melt and lose its smooth finish. Royal icing can be made ahead and kept covered at room temperature for up to 2 days; simply stir before using to restore consistency. The almond extract adds a subtle, sophisticated flavor to the cookies, but it can be omitted entirely if you're concerned about nut allergies. If you prefer a vegan version, substitute a flax egg in the cookie dough and use a vegan royal icing recipe. When rolling the dough, work quickly and keep it cold—if it becomes too soft, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes.

Varianten und Anpassungen

While shamrocks are traditional for St. Patrick's Day, feel free to experiment with other festive shapes throughout the year using the same cookie base. You can create different icing consistencies—thicker for outlining and thinner for flooding—to achieve professional-looking results. Try adding a few drops of lemon extract to the icing for a citrus twist, or use different shades of green to create ombre effects. For a sparkly finish, dust cookies with edible glitter while the icing is still wet. If you want to avoid raw eggs in your royal icing, meringue powder is an excellent alternative that produces the same glossy, stable results.

Serviervorschläge

These shamrock sugar cookies are perfect for St. Patrick's Day parties, classroom celebrations, or as thoughtful homemade gifts. Arrange them on a festive platter alongside other green treats, or package them individually in clear cellophane bags tied with green ribbon for party favors. They pair beautifully with Irish breakfast tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. For an extra-special presentation, create a cookie bouquet by attaching cookies to lollipop sticks before icing. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, layering them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.

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These St. Patrick's Day shamrock sugar cookies bring together everything we love about holiday baking—tradition, creativity, and delicious flavor. The tender, buttery cookies provide the perfect canvas for your decorating skills, while the royal icing adds that professional bakery-quality finish. Whether you're an experienced baker or trying decorated cookies for the first time, this recipe guides you through each step to ensure beautiful, tasty results. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to create some edible magic that will make your St. Patrick's Day celebration truly memorable.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre recetas

→ ¿Cómo lograr que las galletas mantengan su forma durante el horneado?

Es importante enfriar la masa al menos una hora antes de cortar las formas, lo que ayuda a que las galletas mantengan bordes definidos al hornear.

→ ¿Cuál es el secreto para un glaseado real suave y brillante?

Batir el azúcar glas con claras y un poco de jugo de limón o vainilla hasta formar picos firmes asegura un glaseado liso y con brillo duradero.

→ ¿Puedo preparar el glaseado con anticipación?

Sí, el glaseado real puede conservarse cubierto a temperatura ambiente hasta por dos días. Solo hay que mezclarlo bien antes de usar.

→ ¿Qué alternativas existen para adaptar estas galletas a una dieta vegana?

Se sugiere sustituir el huevo por un equivalente de linaza y preparar un glaseado real vegano utilizando claras vegetales o aquafaba.

→ ¿Cómo puedo conseguir el color verde intenso en el glaseado?

Utiliza colorante en gel verde y agrégalo poco a poco al glaseado hasta conseguir la tonalidad deseada sin alterar la textura.

→ ¿Qué textura tendrán las galletas después de hornear?

Las galletas quedan con un toque suave y mantecoso en el centro, mientras que los bordes están ligeramente crujientes y dorados.