Draven Jackson
Blogger | Teacher
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What better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than with fun cookies that all family members will enjoy? Decorating your four-leaf clover shortbread cookies together is a great way to spend time together and bring a little green luck into your day!

Here is my favorite recipe for whole wheat four-leaf clover cookies with cream cheese icing!

Ingredients for Shortbread Cookies:

• 1 ½ cups of butter, softened (3 sticks)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 cups whole wheat flour

Instructions for Cookies:

1. Beat butter until it’s soft and creamy. Add powdered sugar and beat until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
2. Sift in the flour and mix until it is well combined. Roll the dough into a bowl and cover. Place dough in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, until it is stiff and firm.
3. Place the dough on a well-floured surface and roll out until the dough is evenly spread to ½ inch thickness (This will ensure that the cookie all cook at the same rate).
4. While the cookies are chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
5. Using a clover-shaped cookie cutter, cut the cookies out of the dough and line on a greased cookie sheet.
*Tip: If you press down firmly with the cookie cutter and move it in a small circle while cutting the clovers out of the dough, this will help ensure the cookies retain their shape.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies are firm and slightly darker around the edges.
7. Let cool on the cookie rack before icing.

Ingredients for Icing:

• ½ cup butter, softened (1 stick)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened*
• 1 tsp vanilla extract**
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• Green food coloring
* Tip: Block cream cheese will work best, so make sure to use the block instead of the spreadable kind.
**For an extra St. Patty’s Day twist, substitute 1 tsp vanilla extract with ½ tsp of peppermint and ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions for Icing:

1. Combine the softened butter and cream cheese in an electric mixer and beat until creamy and free of any lumps.
2. Add the vanilla and salt to the cream cheese mixture and stir until combined.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar into the mixture and beat on low until the icing is smooth and thoroughly incorporated.
4. Add a few drops of green food coloring until icing reaches the desired color.
5. Decorate cooled cookies. Have fun with the family by adding sprinkles and designs.

I hope that your family enjoys making and eating these fun St. Patty’s Day shortbread cookies as much as mine does!

About Draven Jackson

Draven is an avid writer and reader who enjoys sharing her opinions on movies, books, and music with the rest of the world. She will soon be working as a teacher in Japan and hopes to use her experience to connect with other teachers and students around the globe. Draven spends most of her time at home with her family, her dogs, and her ferret.

To see more, view all posts by Draven Jackson here.