Description
Leprechaun Bites are festive, colorful shortbread squares perfect for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. These buttery treats are infused with a hint of almond or vanilla and speckled with vibrant green, yellow, and orange nonpareil sprinkles, making them a fun and delicious snack for parties or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (plus more for buttering the pan)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
- 4 to 6 drops green gel food coloring
- 4 teaspoons Saint Patrick’s Day color nonpareil sprinkles (green, yellow, and orange)
Wet Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Butter an 8-inch square pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the dough later.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and almond or vanilla extract together until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until the mixture becomes crumbly and starts to come together.
- Add color: Incorporate 4 to 6 drops of green gel food coloring to the dough and mix until the dough forms an evenly tinted green color.
- Mix in sprinkles: Stir in the Saint Patrick’s Day colored nonpareil sprinkles (green, yellow, and orange) carefully to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Press dough into pan: Press the prepared dough evenly into the buttered and parchment-lined 8-inch pan, smoothing the surface.
- Cut dough into squares: Transfer the pan to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the dough into ½-inch square pieces.
- Arrange and bake: Place the cut squares on an ungreased baking sheet in a single layer, leaving some space between the pieces. Bake in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms of the bites begin to brown lightly, indicating they are cooked through.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and a smoother dough consistency.
- Do not overbake; watch the bites closely in the last few minutes to prevent burning.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract based on preference.
- Store Leprechaun Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a stronger green color, add more gel food coloring drop by drop.
