St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching and you don’t want to be stuck without anything to do (or eat)! Whether you decide to host a last minute bash or simply pig out with friends while watching reruns of ‘The Luck of the Irish’ on the Disney Channel, take a peek at these creative and tasty ideas. You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy these scrumptious St. Patty’s Day treats!
Shamrock Pretzels
A salty and sweet St. Patty’s Day treat!
What you’ll need:
- Pretzels
- Irish Cream Hershey Kisses
- Green M&M’s
- Green candy melts (or frosting)
- Parchment paper
Directions:
- Cover a cookie sheet with waxed paper
- Cover with a single layer of pretzels and place a Hershey Kiss in the center of each pretzel
- Place the cookie sheet in the oven at 200˚ for about 8 minutes, until the Hershey Kisses are soft, but not melted
- Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and immediately press 3 green M&M’s on each Hershey Kiss, creating a Shamrock
- Melt a few green candy melts (or use green frosting) and add a stem to each shamrock
- Put them in the fridge until the chocolate set back up. Then add a line of green frosting to make the stem.
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Rainbow Refresher
Wet your whistle with this festive drink!
What you’ll need:
- McCormick Neon Food Colors
- Ice cube tray
- A clear beverage
Directions:
- Fill up the ice cube tray with water
- Take the red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet food colors and color the water of each cube a different color
- Pop the tray in the freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, place the ice cubes into your clear beverage of choice, water, Sprite or vodka if you prefer!
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Green Candied Popcorn
An easy snacking option, Irish style!
What you’ll need:
- 4 quarts popped corn
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional, does make mixture slightly more creamy)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda green food coloring
Directions:
- In a heavy saucepan on medium heat, melt butter then add sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar and salt
- Increase temperature to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar
- Once mixture boils, add in food coloring and stop stirring
- Boil for 5 minutes (do not stir)
- Mixture should be about 250-260 degrees
- Remove from heat and carefully stir in vanilla and baking soda
- Working quickly and while mixture is foamy, pour mixture over popped corn and gently stir to coat popcorn
- Place popcorn into a large roaster or rimmed baking sheet (lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray) and bake at 200° F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes
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Emerald Mint Milkshakes
Instead of going to McDonalds, make your own version of the Shamrock Shake!
What you’ll need:
- 1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
- 1/4 teaspoon green food coloring
- Whipped cream and green sprinkles (optional)
Directions:
- Place ice cream, milk, peppermint extract and green food color in blender and cover
- Blend on high speed until smooth
- Pour into glasses
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately. Makes 3 servings.
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Luck O’ the Irish Jello
There’s gold waiting for you at the end of this rainbow dessert!
What you’ll need:
- 1 small box of jello in each color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- 1 large container of cool whip (you can use sour cream or yogurt in place of the cool whip)
Directions:
- Chose the color you want on the bottom (in this case purple)
- Dissolve jello as directed on the box using the “quick chill” method (which includes some ice)
- Once dissolved, pour the liquid into your glasses, reserving about 1/3 of the jello liquid
- Put all of the glasses in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes until jello is slightly set
- Mix about 1/3 cup cool whip (sour cream or yogurt) into the remaining jello liquid
- Pour cool whip/jello mixture on top of partially set first layer
- Place all cups in the refrigerator and allow to set (at least 15-30 minutes) while you mix the next color
- Repeat process with each color, allowing each layer to set 15-30 minutes before adding another layer
- The total process will take several hours
- Top the finished rainbow jello with a dollop of cool whip, or whipped cream and add a chocolate gold coin.
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Dipped Cookies
A simple way to spruce up your favorite cookies for St. Patrick’s Day!
What you’ll need:
- Your favorite sandwich cookie
- Wilton Green Candy Melts (found at your local craft store)
- Seasonal sprinkles
Directions:
- Melt about 1/2 bag of candy melts in the microwave according to package instructions
- Add about 1/2 teaspoon of shortening to the melts to thin it out and make it easier to dip
- Dip half of cookie and place on waxed paper and immediately add sprinkles!
- Let candy melts set up for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator or slightly longer on counter top
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Green Beer
The easiest and most traditional St. Patrick’s Day drink of all!
What you’ll need:
- Green food coloring
- Your favorite beer
Directions:
- All you need to do is add green food coloring to your favorite beer
- 5-6 drops of green food color for a 12 oz. beer