These soft mint Shamrock Shake Sugar Cookie Bars are a fun and easy treat. White frosting, green sugar, and a cherry make them look like the popular shake.

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Ok, so I realized that I just shared a sugar cookie bar with you just a few days ago. But this weekend I was scrolling through Facebook, and I saw a few different posts for shamrock shakes.

Want to know something?  I don’t think I have ever had one before. Can you believe that?  Please tell me I am not the only one. I’ve been too busy making and drinking a Thin Mint Latte instead.

Until this point, I have not had a desire for one of those shakes.  And in 8 years of blogging I have never made any sort of shamrock dessert.  I’m definitely a fly by the seat of my pants kind of blogger.  

Usually the desserts and dinners that happen here are made on a whim. I get crazy ideas for food that I can’t rest until I make. This was one of those moments!

Right away I had this overwhelming urge to make a green mint dessert.  But since shakes have been done and done again, I knew it had to be something totally different. 

I thought about tweaking these Mint Cheesecake Brownies with a green cheesecake layer and a white fluffy topping, but I really wanted something easier.

My mind went right away to these Vanilla Unicorn Sugar Cookie Bars that I just made.  Why couldn’t I make those bars bright green and give them some mint flavor? Plus, I had a dinner that I was supposed to bring dessert for, and cookie bars are so easy to make.

Guess what I did that afternoon?  Yup, I made two batches of green cookie bars and fluffy white frosting.  Then I topped them with green sugar and a cherry with a stem on it to mimic those shakes!

Tips for making Shamrock Shake Sugar Cookie Bars:

• Make sure you set out the butter ahead of time.  Soft butter is much easier to work into cookie dough.
• Use mint extract in this recipe.  Peppermint is a Christmas flavor, so using that will yield a different taste. Mixing vanilla and mint extract will keep it from tasting like toothpaste!
• Add your flour into the dough in batches.  The dough will be very stiff, yet crumbly.
• If you use a hand mixer to make the cookie bars, you will need to work the dough longer.  I do recommend using a stand mixer with a paddle blade.
• Add your green food coloring sparingly because a little bit does go a long way.   Slowly add a little at a time until you get to the color you want.
• Let the cookie bars cool completely before spreading on the frosting.
• Dry the cherries off with paper towels before putting them on the bars. If the cherries are wet, they will melt the green sugar and you will have a green streaky mess.

More easy mint desserts you may enjoy:

• Cookie chunks and mint chips make this Chocolate Mint Oreo Fudge a creamy no bake treat that will disappear off your dessert tables in no time at all.
• Making your own personal sized cheese ball is such a fun treat idea.  Try these Mint Chocolate Chip Cheese Balls for the next game or party day.
• Want a delicious sugar cookie, but not the mess?  These Chocolate Mint Sugar Cookie Bars are made and frosted in one pan. Easy, peasy dessert!
• This Andes Mint Cheesecake Brownie Pie has an easy no bake cheesecake on top that will help you give into those mint cravings.
• Mint Chocolate Chip Popcornis an easy snack recipe that will remind you of sunny day ice cream treats.

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Shamrock Shake Sugar Cookie Bars

Yield: 24 cookie bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Total Time: 34 minutes

These soft mint Shamrock Shake Sugar Cookie Bars are a fun and easy treat. White frosting, green sugar, and a cherry make them look like the popular shake.

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Ingredients

For the Cookie Bars

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• green gel color

For the Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 6 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• green sanding sugar
• 1 - 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries with stems

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with foil and spray it with nonstick baking spray.
2. Beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the egg and extracts and beat again.
3. Add the baking powder, salt, and half the flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Add the rest of the flour and beat until mixed in. If you are using a hand mixer, you may need to use the back of a spoon or your hands to knead the dough until stiff.
4. Use a butter knife to add the green gel color to the desired shade. Again if using a hand mixer, it will take time to mix the color in. Using a spoon or stand mixer does work better.
5. Press the dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 14 minutes. Remove and cool completely.
6. Beat the butter, extracts, and salt until creamy. Add the powdered sugar and heavy cream alternately until everything is mixed in. Beat on high for 1-2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
7. Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cookie bars. Lift the foil out of the pan and cut the bars into 24 squares. Top with green sanding sugar and a cherry that has been patted dry.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 245Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 94mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 1gSugar: 29gProtein: 2g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

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