Fun Treats to Turn Green on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day 2023 is March 17, so it’s time to start thinking green! Being on a Friday this year, it can be the kick-off to your weekend and the perfect time to celebrate in full force! With a little luck of the Irish mixed with some of your own, you can surprise your kids and everyone else in ways that will never be forgotten! Take the time to bring out the best in every holiday, not just the bigger, highly advertised ones! Begin by making this St. Patrick’s Day a little bit sweeter and a whole lot more fun with special treats that will make the term “go green” a tasty reality!

Top o’ the Mornin’ to ya!

Days are busy even if you’re lucky. Start this holiday in a cheerful yet super easy way. Make Pillsbury cinnamon rolls according to the directions. While they’re In the oven, squeeze the icing into a small bowl and add natural green food coloring for a delicious and festive way to roll into St Patrick’s Day! For an added sparkle, top the frosted rolls with a pop of these green sprinkles.

Disappearing Spinach and Banana Muffins

Legend has it if you’re lucky enough to catch a leprechaun, you can never take your eyes off him or he’ll disappear! The same holds true with these muffins that taste too good to be healthy!



Ingredients

2 1/2 cups self rising flour

3/4 cup sugar 

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 2 cups fresh spinach or frozen, thawed

 2 very ripe bananas, mashed

 A few drops of natural, green food coloring if desired



Instructions

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

-Grease well or line muffin tin with liners.

-Mix flour and sugar.

-Blend the egg, milk, oil, vanilla, bananas, spinach and food coloring in a blender until smooth.

-Pour spinach mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well by stirring. (You can add chocolate chips if desired)

-Scoop batter into the muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full.

-Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a tooth-pick comes out clean.

-Cool completely before peeling wrappers off.

*Muffins release well when using silicone liners.

Rainbow Treasure Brownies

Everyone will find a treasure when they bite into a decadent brownie! Especially if there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

How it’s done:

-Make brownies or cupcakes according to your favorite boxed brownie directions.

-When cooled, cut brownies into individual servings and frost with green icing.

-Using Airheads sugar sprinkled rainbow candies, insert one end then curve and insert the other to make a half circle/rainbow.

-Add a golden wrapped Rolo candy for the “gold”.

Shamrock Chips

Add holiday fun with all green or mix these clovers among regular chips, then serve with a pot of golden cheese dip!

How it’s done:

-Using a shamrock cookie cutter, cut out mini clovers from green, spinach tortilla wraps.

-Spritz with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

-Bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes until crispy but not “browned”.

-Cool slightly until crunchy then serve with your favorite dip or salsa!

Catch a Healthy Leprechaun

Tell your favorite story of catching leprechauns served with a healthy type of green and other veggies to create a whimsical fellow that your kids will snatch up in a hurry!



How it’s done:

-Start with a large cutting board or cookie sheet, then fill a plate with hummus for the face.

-Place broccoli, tops up in the shape of the hat.

-Use sliced, seeded bell peppers to make the rim of the hat and decorative shamrocks.

-Black olives and a cheese rectangle will complete the band of the hat.

-A bag of sliced, ridged carrots will outline the face and complete the full, fuzzy looking beard as well as two quirky eyebrows. 

-Get creative with cucumber slices for eyes, topped with black olive slices for pupils.

-A cherry tomato for the nose and more black olives for the mouth will complete the face.

-Fill in the gaps with cauliflower clouds and strips of colorful bell peppers for rainbows.

-Line the tray with crackers or use your shamrock chips for dipping!

The Drunken Leprechaun

Ok adults, here’s a little something for you! Easy to make and delicious going down, this little touch of green will make your holiday something extra special!

How it’s done:

-For each drink, add 4 ounces of orange juice, 2 ounces of Jameson Irish Whiskey, and 1 ounce of blue curacao to a highball glass, stirring to combine.

-Add ice and garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry!

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