Description

Leprechaun Bites are festive, colorful bite-sized treats perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. These buttery, crumbly squares are infused with a touch of almond or vanilla extract and vibrant green food coloring, sprinkled with cheerful green, yellow, and orange nonpareils for a sweet crunchy texture. Simple to prepare and bake, they make a delightful snack or party dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons Saint Patrick’s Day color nonpareil sprinkles (green, yellow, and orange)

Wet Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (plus more to butter the pan)
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
4 to 6 drops green gel food coloring

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Butter an 8-inch pan thoroughly and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the baked dough.
Cream Butter, Sugar, and Extract. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and almond or vanilla extract together using a mixer for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
Add Dry Ingredients. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the creamed butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until the mixture becomes crumbly and texture starts to come together.
Incorporate Food Coloring. Add 4 to 6 drops of green gel food coloring to the dough and mix thoroughly until the dough forms a uniform green color.
Fold in Nonpareils. Gently stir in the green, yellow, and orange nonpareil sprinkles until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough, adding festive color and texture.
Press Dough into Pan. Press the dough evenly into the prepared 8-inch pan, smoothing the surface with your hands or a spatula for an even thickness, then transfer the pan onto a cutting board for easy slicing.
Cut into Squares. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into ½-inch square pieces while still in the pan to form individual Leprechaun Bites. Carefully place each square onto an ungreased baking sheet, spaced slightly apart for even baking.
Bake Until Lightly Browned. Bake in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms of the squares begin to turn a light golden brown, indicating they are baked through and ready to cool.

Notes

Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy creaming and smooth dough.
Adjust the amount of green gel food coloring to achieve your desired shade of green.
Use parchment paper for easy removal of the dough from the pan without crumbling.
Nonpareils add a festive crunch but can be omitted or substituted with sprinkles of your choice.
Store Leprechaun Bites in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend.