St. Patty's Day Sugar Bites

Way back when (we didn't have kids) it wasn't unheard of to find Scott and me at our favorite establishments partaking in green beer goodness on St. Patrick's Day. These days, however, our celebrations have changed slightly (and we no longer nurse a two-day hangover). This year, instead of throwing back our favorite brews we're inhaling these little morsels of delight, because, kid friendly.

These cookie bites are a cinch to whip up, fun to have kiddos help bake and decorate, and taste mighty delicious. They're the perfect combo of almond and chocolate and sugar cookie all rolled into one.

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St. Patty's Day Sugar Bites

by Desiree Macke March-3-2016

Mini sugar cookies topped with a delicious butter cream frosting and festive St. Patty's Day candies.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup, softened Butter
• 1 cup Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• FROSTING
• 1/3 cup Butter
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
• Dash Salt
• 2 Tbsp 1/2 and 1/2
• DECORATIVE TOPPING
• 3 per cookie Green M&Ms (I used the minis)
• Small green candies, or green pull and peel licorice

Instructions

Cookies: Preheat oven to 375°. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat well. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Roll into balls and place in well greased mini muffing pans. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges just begin to turn golden brown. Allow to cool a bit in pan before removing. Transfer to cooling racks and allow to completely cool before frosting.FROSTING: Beat butter, powdered sugar, almond extract, vanilla, and 1/2 and 1/2 until smooth. Add more 1/2 and 1/2 as needed to create a spreadable consistency. Top with candies to create shamrocks.

Details

Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 1 hour Yield: Approx 3-4 dozen

But, don't think for one second we won't pop open a beer (or two) once the kiddos are snuggled in bed. I might even get ambitious and add a few drops of green food coloring for good St. Patty's Day measure.

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