25 St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes to Celebrate March 17th with Delicious Treats
Updated on March 13, 2023
Cupcakes are a fantastic way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends over delicious treats. Read on to discover the best cupcake recipe ideas for March 17th.
This article lists the most delicious and visually appealing cupcake recipes for Saint Patrick’s Day. They depict at least one of the symbols commonly associated with the Irish celebration: the color green, shamrocks, leprechauns, green beer, Irish drinking, gold, rainbows, or luck. For festive treats other than cupcakes, check out these St. Patrick’s Day dessert ideas.
Here is a list of the St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes described in this article:
- Green ombre cupcakes
- Pistachio pudding cupcakes
- Matcha green tea cupcakes
- Thin Mint cupcakes
- Mint Oreo cupcakes
- Honey cupcakes with chamomile buttercream
- Crème de menthe cupcakes
- Green velvet cupcakes with gold coins
- Irish cream chocolate cupcakes
- Guinness, whiskey and Irish cream cupcakes
- Leprechaun cupcakes
- Horseshoe vanilla cupcakes
- Green beer mug cupcakes
- Shamrock Shake cupcakes
- Lucky shamrock cupcakes
- Pull-apart cupcake shamrocks
- Surprise-inside cupcakes with Lucky Charms
- Rainbow buttercream cupcakes
- Rainbow bright cupcakes
- Sour power rainbow cupcakes
- Rainbow party cupcakes
- Cupcakes with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
- Hidden pot of gold brownie cups
- Leprechaun hat pull-apart cupcake cake
- Shamrock pull-apart cupcake cake
Read on for details about each St. Patrick’s Day cupcake recipe, including ingredients and recipe sources. Learn more in the FAQs section.
1. Green ombre cupcakes
Green ombre cupcakes are a delightful dessert to add to your St. Patrick’s Day menu. They have three colorful layers with an ombre effect, adding an elegant touch to any grown-up party. The ingredient list asks for a white cake mix, green food coloring, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, milk or water, and white sprinkles. The recipe takes 15 minutes to prepare and 18 minutes to cook. Check out The Gold Lining Girl for additional info.
2. Pistachio pudding cupcakes
Pistachio pudding cupcakes are a tasty dessert for Patty’s Day, which combine the sweet and nutty taste of pistachios with the creamy texture of pudding. The list of ingredients includes all-purpose flour, sugar, instant pistachio pudding mix, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, canola oil, vanilla extract, cream cheese frosting, green food coloring, and gold sprinkles. The cupcakes take 15 minutes to prepare, 20 minutes to bake, and additional cooling time. Check out the cooking directions at Taste of Home.
3. Matcha green tea cupcakes
Vanilla matcha green tea cupcakes are a delicious and creative dessert for St. Patrick’s Day. Use store-bought cake mix, vanilla extract, and matcha green tea powder to whip up the cupcakes. For the buttercream frosting, use butter, salt, icing sugar, mint flavoring, milk, and green gel coloring. The matcha green tea powder adds an earthy, nutty, and vegetal flavor to the cupcakes while the vanilla extract complements it perfectly. The recipe takes 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook. Check out Homemade and Yummy for the full instructions.
4. Thin Mint cupcakes
Thin Mint cupcakes are a flavorful, creative twist on the classic Girl Scout cookie, ideal for Saint Patrick’s Day. The combination of the deep and slightly bitter chocolate, the bright coolness of the mint, and the crunchy texture of the Thin Mints provide a unique flavor experience.
Make these St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes using eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and milk or buttermilk. Use chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream for the ganache. For the mint frosting, combine butter, vanilla extract, mint or peppermint extract, powdered sugar, and green food dye. The recipe takes 25 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook. Check out My Baking Addiction for the cooking directions.
5. Mint Oreo cupcakes
Mint Oreo cupcakes are a delicious St. Patrick’s Day treat that combines the classic combination of mint and Oreos with soft and fluffy cupcakes. The cupcakes are made from a moist chocolate cake base with Oreo pieces on the bottom of the cupcake liners. Then they are frosted with a creamy, airy Mint Oreo buttercream and studded with finely crushed Oreos, giving them a crunchy texture.
To make the chocolate cupcakes with Oreo bottoms, you need Mint Oreos, Devil’s Food Cake Mix, eggs, oil, buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. For the Mint Oreo frosting, use butter, cream cheese, peppermint extract, milk, powdered sugar, green food dye, and Mint Oreos. Extra Oreos are necessary for decorations. Visit Your Cup of Cake for the cooking measurements and directions.
6. Honey cupcakes with chamomile buttercream
Honey cupcakes with chamomile buttercream are a delightful and elegant treat for St. Patrick’s Day. The cupcakes are made from a light, fluffy batter flavored with sweet honey, offering a perfectly balanced sweetness. They are topped with smooth and creamy chamomile buttercream frosting that adds a mellow floral taste. These cupcakes are an excellent pick-me-up snack to satisfy any sweet tooth craving while remaining light enough to not feel too heavy or cloying in the stomach.
To make the cupcakes, you need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, whole milk, sour cream or yogurt, pure vanilla extract, unsalted butter, white granulated sugar, honey, and eggs. For the chamomile buttercream, use unsalted butter, chamomile tea, powdered sugar, salt, and heavy cream. Top these cupcakes with blackberries, fresh nasturtium leaves, and organic chamomile leaves. The recipe takes 15 minutes to prepare and 18 minutes to cook. Visit A Cozy Kitchen for more details about these St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes.
7. Crème de menthe cupcakes
Crème de menthe cupcakes are a delightful St. Patrick’s dessert that combines the flavor of peppermint with the richness of chocolate. They have a luscious crème de menthe buttercream frosting and a sprinkle of delicate chocolate curls. The list of ingredients includes butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, milk, heavy cream, semi-sweet chocolate, peppermint extract, Crème de Menthe buttercream, and chocolate curls for garnish. There is a separate recipe for the Crème de Menthe buttercream, which uses butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and green liquid food coloring. Once the buttercream is ready, you need 20 minutes for preparation, 20 minutes for baking, and 30 minutes for cooling. Head over to My Recipes for additional info.
8. Green velvet cupcakes with gold coins
Green velvet cupcakes are a delicious and eye-catching treat that will please anyone with a sweet tooth on St. Patty’s Day. The cupcakes are made from a rich and moist dark chocolate cake batter tinted with a vibrant shade of green. Topped with a thick layer of smooth cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes have an alluring combination of sweet and savory flavors. The best part is the chocolate gold coins on top.
To bake these St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes, you need all-purpose flour, cornstarch, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and green liquid food coloring. For the frosting, use cream cheese, butter, sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla, sprinkles, and chocolate gold coins. The cupcakes take 30 minutes to prepare and 16 minutes to cook. Visit Garnish and Glaze for the step-by-step instructions.
9. Irish cream chocolate cupcakes
Irish cream chocolate cupcakes are a delicious and decadent treat to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This recipe calls for chocolate cupcakes, powdered sugar, butter, Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, vanilla extract, green food coloring, and green and white sprinkles. These cupcakes have a moist texture combined with the light sweetness of the frosting that has you coming back for more. Head over to Life Family Fun for the cooking directions.
10. Guinness, whiskey and Irish cream cupcakes
Guinness, whiskey and Irish cream cupcakes are a decadent spin on classic Saint Patrick’s cupcakes. They combine the richness of Guiness rich dark beer with the warm sweetness of Irish whiskey and the creamy deliciousness of Baileys Irish Cream, creating an unforgettable gourmet experience.
To prepare these St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes, you need Guinness stout, unsalted butter, Dutch-process cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, eggs, and sour cream. For the whiskey ganache filling, use bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, butter, and Irish whiskey like Jameson. As for the Baileys frosting, use Baileys Irish Cream, unsalted butter, and powdered sugar. The recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare and 17 minutes to cook. Head over to Brown-Eyed Baker for the complete instructions.
11. Leprechaun cupcakes
Leprechaun cupcakes are a delightful and whimsical way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The trick is wrapping cupcakes in green cupcake liner, topping them with orange buttercream rosettes, and adding fondant leprechaun hats. Serve these cupcakes with gold coin chocolates on the side.
The list of ingredients calls for cupcakes, orange buttercream, marshmallow fondant, a circle fondant cutter, a fondant rolling pin, black and green food coloring gel, a piping bag, a coupler, a gold luster dust, vodka, and a food-safe paintbrush. For an Irish twist, add mint or whiskey instead of vodka to the batter. Check out Pete and Repeat for more details about this St. Patrick’s Day cupcake recipe.
12. Horseshoe vanilla cupcakes
Horseshoe vanilla cupcakes are a tasty and sophisticated St. Patrick’s Day treat, thanks to their mouth-melting airy texture. To make the cupcakes, you need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, vanilla bean, and milk. For the honey cream cheese frosting, use cream cheese, butter, clover honey, and confectioner’s sugar. Top the cupcakes with finely ground pistachios and delicate chocolate-melted horseshoes. Check out Sprinkle Bakes for the step-by-step instructions.
13. Green beer mug cupcakes
Green beer mug cupcakes are fantastic for St. Patrick’s Day, game day parties, birthday parties, and Oktoberfest celebrations, sure to please kids and adults alike. The key is presentation since you can use your favorite cupcake and white frosting recipe. To pull off this recipe, create green beer mugs out of fondant, wrap the mugs around the cupcakes, and top them off with frosting that looks like beer foam. For a more realistic effect, let a bit of frosting drip down to the side. Head over to I Am Baker for more details.
14. Shamrock Shake cupcakes
Shamrock Shake cupcakes are a fun and festive way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They are green-tinted vanilla-mint cupcakes topped with whipped cream frosting and green maraschino cherries. To make the cupcakes, you need cake flour, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, unsalted butter, eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, mint extract, and green food coloring. For the frosting, use cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Garnish the cupcakes with green sanding sugar and green maraschino cherries. The recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare, 20 minutes to cook, and 10 minutes to cool. These cupcakes are fantastic for hosting a party or gathering since they’re easy to make in large batches. Visit Brown-Eyed Baker for more details.
15. Lucky shamrock cupcakes
Lucky shamrock cupcakes are a fun and delicious treat for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Made with fluffy vanilla cupcakes, these treats are topped with green icing and fondant shamrocks that add festive charm. To prepare the cupcakes, you need self-raising flour, butter or margarine, Shamrock Golden Caster Sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla essence. For decoration, use butter, icing sugar, vanilla essence, green food coloring, and green or white ready-to-roll icing. The entire recipe takes 15-20 minutes to prepare. Head over to Odlums for the cooking directions.
16. Pull-apart cupcake shamrocks
Pull-apart cupcake shamrocks are a fun and festive way to share the luck of the Irish with friends and family on St. Patrick’s Day. These individually-sized desserts are made up of light, fluffy cupcakes shaped into a large, green shamrock with white frosting.
To prepare the cupcakes, you need cooking spray, plain flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, fine salt, buttermilk, green liquid food coloring, pure vanilla extract, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and eggs. For the frosting, use plain flour, milk, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, fine salt, green liquid food coloring, and green sanding sugar for decorating. The recipe takes about 30 minutes to whip up. Visit Food Network for the cooking measurements and directions.
17. Surprise-inside cupcakes with Lucky Charms
Cupcakes with surprise Lucky Charms inside are fantastic St. Patrick’s Day treats for kids and adults who love the classic taste of Lucky Charms cereal and the fun of cupcakes. The bright colors of the marshmallows create an aesthetically pleasing presentation, while the sweet flavor combination makes these treats difficult to resist. Use these cupcakes for after-school snacks, party food, or everyday treats.
The list of ingredients includes Betty Crocker Super Moist yellow cake mix, Betty Crocker Whipped fluffy white frosting, green food coloring, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and Lucky Charms cereal. You can also add rainbow candy sprinkles to make the surprise more colorful. Head over to Betty Crocker to learn more about making these St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes.
18. Rainbow buttercream cupcakes
Rainbow buttercream cupcakes are a delicious and fun treat to wow your guests on St. Patrick’s Day. They are light and fluffy vanilla cupcakes with a swirl of bright and colorful buttercream frosting to top them off.
Easily make these Saint Patty’s cupcakes using a box of cake mix. The secret lies in the frosting, which you whip up from unsalted butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, clear vanilla flavoring, and food coloring gel in rainbow colors. This heavenly dessert takes 20 minutes to prepare and 23 minutes to cook. Visit Mom Loves Baking for the recipe directions.
19. Rainbow bright cupcakes
Rainbow bright cupcakes are a delicious, colorful treat that are sure to brighten up any occasion, including St. Patrick’s Day. They are vanilla-flavored cupcakes with sprinkles mixed in the batter and topped with puffy clouds and fondant sugar cookie rainbows. Easily draw rainbow colors using food-safe Americolor Gourmet Writing Pens.
To prepare these Patt’s Day cupcakes, you need all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, egg whites, whole milk, vanilla, salted butter, and rainbow sprinkles. For the frosting, use butter, shortening, vanilla, powdered sugar, milk, and extra powdered sugar for dusting. Go to Bakerella for all the instructions.
20. Sour power rainbow cupcakes
Sour power rainbow cupcakes are a delightfully delicious and vibrant treat for Saint Patrick’s Day. They boast an exciting mix of sweet and sour flavors and a light, moist cake batter with a crunchy sugar topping.
To bake the cupcakes, you need white or yellow cake mix, all-purpose flour, sour cream, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, red food coloring, almond extract, vanilla extract, vinegar, cocoa powder, and instant vanilla pudding. For the frosting, use salted butter, vegetable shortening, confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, butter flavoring, and milk or cream. Sour Pour candy is arched over the cupcakes to look like rainbows. Check out Rose Bakes for the full instructions.
21. Rainbow party cupcakes
Rainbow party cupcakes are one of the most colorful and exciting desserts for St. Patrick’s Day or birthday parties. Use your favorite cupcake mix and buttercream frosting since the secret lies in the rainbow colors and decoration. Preparation is more tedious than for other recipes on this list since you must frost cupcakes with distinct colors and techniques. For example, purple cupcakes have tiny stars and a rose swirling effect, blue cupcakes have tiny blue nonpareils, and green cupcakes have simple round swirls. Meanwhile, yellow cupcakes are decorated with tiny melt-away mints and chocolate jimmies, orange cupcakes have a giant round tip and orange jimmies, and red cupcakes use an open-star piping tip and red sanding sugar as sprinkles. Visit Hoosier Homemade for the complete instructions of each cupcake color.
22. Cupcakes with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
Cupcakes with green frosting and a topping of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow are truly a magical sight to behold on St. Patrick’s Day. To prepare the cupcakes, you need Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake mix, box Jell-O Instant Chocolate Pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, whole milk, vanilla extract, salt, and mini chocolate chips. For the green buttercream frosting, use unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and green gel coloring. To make the pots of gold, you need peanut butter cups, peanut butter, gold sprinkles, and Airheads Extremes Rainbow Strips. Despite the long list of ingredients, the recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare, 20 minutes to cook, and 30 minutes to cool. Visit Sugar and Soul for the complete instructions.
23. Hidden pot of gold brownie cups
These brownie cups with a hidden pot of gold add a unique twist to St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes. The idea is to make brownie cups look like cupcakes, complete with green icing, shamrocks, and gold sprinkles inside. To prepare the brownie cups, you need butter, white sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. For the frosting, use unsalted butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream or milk, vanilla or almond extract, green food coloring gel, and gold sprinkles. Visit Pizzazzerie for the complete instructions.
24. Leprechaun hat pull-apart cupcake cake
A leprechaun hat pull-apart cupcake cake is a unique and whimsical dessert for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a green cake made of several cupcakes in the shape of a leprechaun hat and topped with a leprechaun’s belt; the cupcakes pull apart.
To prepare the cupcakes, you need yellow or white cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, peppermint extract, green food coloring, and mini chocolate chips. For the frosting, use vegetable shortening, butter, powdered sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. Use black modeling chocolate, candy clay or fondant, and edible gold luster dust for the finish. The cake takes 45 minutes to prepare, 16 minutes to bake, and 60 minutes to cook. Visit Hungry Happenings for the cooking directions.
25. Shamrock pull-apart cupcake cake
A shamrock pull-apart cupcake cake will put everyone in the St Patrick’s Day spirit, thanks to its cheerful appearance and scrumptious taste. It consists of several cupcakes decorated to look like a clover or shamrock leaf. Top them with green buttercream frosting and rainbow sprinkles for a touch of whimsy.
To make this shamrock cupcake cake for St Patrick’s Day, you need a chocolate cake mix, instant chocolate pudding, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, peppermint extract, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. For the frosting, use butter, peppermint extract, powdered sugar, milk, leaf and forest green food gel, and rainbow sprinkles for garnish. The recipe takes 45 minutes to prepare and 21 minutes to cook. Head over to Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt for baking directions.
FAQs
Discover more useful information about St. Patty’s Day cupcakes.
What flavors are best for St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes?
Many flavors work well for St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes, such as mint chocolate, Baileys Irish cream, and Guinness beer.
How should I decorate my St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes?
Popular decorations for St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes include green frosting or icing, shamrocks made from fondant or candy, gold sprinkles or edible glitter, and chocolate coins.
Can I make St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes. You can bake the cupcakes ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days before decorating and serving.
Are there any special tips for making St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes?
There are many tips and tricks for improving your St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes. For example, use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring to achieve a more vibrant green color in your frosting or icing. Also, consider using a piping bag to create fun designs on top of your cupcakes.
Can I make vegan or gluten-free St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes?
Yes. Many recipes for vegan and gluten-free St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes use alternative ingredients, such as almond flour, coconut milk, and vegan butter.
How do I store leftover St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes?
Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For long-term storage, freeze the cupcakes for up to 3 months.
Can I make mini St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes instead of regular sized ones?
Absolutely. Mini cupcakes are a fun and cute alternative to standard ones. They are fantastic for parties or gatherings where guests may want to try multiple flavors.
What should I serve with my St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes?
Popular drinks include green beer, Irish coffee, or a Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s. You could also serve traditional Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage or shepherd’s pie to complete the meal.
Conclusion
To conclude, there is no better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a delicious batch of cupcakes. With the recipes outlined in this article, you will make festive treats that will be a hit at any March 17th party.