A SWEET ST. PATRICK’S DAY

LUCK O’ THE IRISH MINT PIE

Makes: 2 pies (9 inches each)

Even if you’re not Irish, a green treat like this Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie can get you and your guests into the festive spirit. With enough seasonal flavor to go around, this recipe makes two pies, so be sure to cut every leprechaun a generous portion.

• 3 3/4 cups heavy whipped cream, divided

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1 1/4 cups, plus 2 tablespoons, powdered sugar, divided

• 5 drops green food coloring

• 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

• 1/4 teaspoon mint extract

• 1 bag mint chocolate candies, chopped, divided

• 2 chocolate cookie crusts (9 inches each)

• 1 bag mint chocolate candies

To make filling: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk 2 1/2 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer to bowl.

In separate stand mixer bowl, beat cream cheese on high 2 minutes. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar and green food coloring; mix until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and mint extract; mix well.

Fold prepared whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Fold 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies into filling.

To make frosting: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk remaining heavy cream and remaining powdered sugar. Add remaining vanilla extract and mix until stiff peaks form.

Pour filling into crusts and smooth tops.

Fill decorating bag with frosting and pipe thick band around edges of pies. Then pipe circle dollops evenly around edges of pies.

Scatter 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies in middle of pies. Place whole mint chocolate candies into each dollop of frosting around edges of pies.

Refrigerate until firm, 5-6 hours.

LUCKY SHAMROCK COOKIES

Servings: 24-32

It’s your lucky day because you don’t have to search for the pot of gold under the rainbow for this winning recipe. Throw out the old Irish classics and sweeten things up this year with some mint chocolate chip fun.

If you’re in a crunch for St. Patrick’s Day and need something glowing with green, here is a dessert that is sure to have everyone coming back for seconds (and more).

These Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are as green as four-leaf clovers and have delicious chocolate chips mixed throughout for some extra sweet flavor. Served beside a big glass of milk, they are perfect treats for any St. Patrick’s Day party or virtual gathering.

To start the recipe, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, add butter, sugar, eggs, green food coloring and peppermint extract for that crisp mint flavor. Beat with a hand mixture and combine the ingredients in both bowls together.

Add chocolate chips to the mixed cookie batter. Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake at 375 F for 11-24 minutes until the edges of the cookies are light brown. Cool on a wire rack before devouring.

With so much mixing and scooping to be done, this is a great recipe for kids to get involved in the kitchen, too. One of the  best parts is the eye-catching color. Watch children’s smiling little faces as the batter turns from light brown to dark green for a priceless reaction.

After being perfectly baked, these cookies are bright, fun and will be the hit of any celebration. Soft in the middle, a little crisp on the edges and as green as can be. You can’t ask for much more on St. Patrick’s Day.

• 2 1/2 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 1/4 cups sugar

• 2 eggs

• 30 drops green food coloring

• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

• 1 package (12 ounces) chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375 F.

In large bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt until blended. Set aside.

In medium bowl, beat butter and sugar until combined. Add eggs, food coloring and peppermint extract; beat until combined.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients; beat until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto baking sheet.

Bake 11-14 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.

Cool on wire racks.

Find more festive recipes at Culinary.net.