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So you've planned a traditional Irish dinner to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. You've got the Irish songs playing and the Guinness flowing, but if you really want to feel the luck of the Irish, there's one thing you won't want to forget: dessert! After all, there are so many traditional (and non-traditional!) Irish desserts. You can opt for a cute St. Patrick's Day dessert like homemade shamrock shakes or something a little more authentic like Irish apple cake.
There are also some sweet treats spiked with Irish whiskey and Irish cream liqueur like Ree Drummond's whiskey maple-ice cream sundaes and Baileys glaze on a chocolate Bundt cake. If you're looking for an Irish dessert without alcohol, don't worry. We've got plenty of family-friendly cookies, chocolate desserts, and traditional treats—including a warm bread pudding that's the ultimate comfort food. Along with crowd-pleasing favorites like Irish soda bread we've also included some creative sweets like the Lucky Charms bars.
And the best part is that you don't even have to wait until March 17 to start baking. While these desserts are perfect for your St. Patrick's Day party, they're just as delicious all year round. Just think how refreshing that Guinness float will be in July! And who knows, maybe they'll bring a little luck of the Irish your way with each bite. 😉
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Give classic shortbread cookies a springtime twist by adding bright lemon zest and juice. You can use a cookie stamp or embossed rolling pin with either flowers or four-leaf clovers to decorate them.
Get the Lemon Shortbread Cookies recipe.
Irish Apple Cake
An Irish apple cake is like a cross between a cinnamon-scented coffee cake and a sweet apple crisp. It even has the buttery oat crumble. The best part is the decadent vanilla custard drizzled over the top!
Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe.
Homemade Irish Cream
This classic Irish drink can double as dessert! In fact, while you simply sip it, you can also use the vanilla-whiskey cream-based liqueur to sweeten up your favorite frosting or whipped cream recipe.
Get the Homemade Irish Cream recipe.
Lucky Charms Bars
This isn't your grandmother's Irish dessert, but it sure is adorable! The fun twist on rice cereal treats is made with colorful, marshmallow-filled Lucky Charms.
Get the Lucky Charms Bars recipe.
Mini Bundt Cakes
These simple bundt cakes get dressed up with three types of glaze. You can opt for the maple-whiskey glaze made with real Irish whiskey, or make all three for an extra sweet treat!
Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipe.
Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet
Granny Smith apples are the key to making this skillet cake. Not only are the diced apples mixed into the cake batter but they're also caramelized for a sticky apple topping. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and you'll have the perfect dessert.
Get Ree's Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet recipe.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
This moist sponge cake is best served bubbling hot with a warm toffee sauce poured right over the top. If that doesn't warm you up on a chilly day in March, we don't know what will.
Get the Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe.
Millionaire's Shortbread
Though best known as originating in Scotland, this sweet treat is often found throughout nearby Ireland. It'll be especially authentic if you make the shortbread with Irish butter. Add a layer of caramel and chocolate, then top it off with flaky sea salt.
Get the Millionaire's Shortbread recipe.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
There's something so comforting about a nostalgic dessert like oatmeal cookies. This version is full of warm spices and covered in a sweet and simple icing.
Get the Iced Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
White Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is a traditional dessert that you'll often find in many Irish households. Typically it uses leftover bread slices with butter but this variation swaps in buttery croissants instead. The white chocolate and berries make it extra sweet.
Applesauce Cake
A simple apple cake is something you might find on the Emerald Isle, but this version made with chunky applesauce is perfect for when you don't have any apples laying around. It's a pantry recipe we turn to time and time again.
Get the Applesauce Cake recipe.
Guinness Chocolate Cake
Did you know that Guinness can be used for more than just drinking? The popular beer also adds a rich and malty flavor to this easy chocolate cake.
Get the Guinness Chocolate Cake recipe.
Cranberry Scones
These tender scones are studded with sweet-tart cranberries and topped with a cranberry glaze for extra sweetness. Plus, it gives the treats a pretty pop of color.
Get the Cranberry Scones recipe.
Orange Shortbread Cookies
This recipe dresses up simple buttery shortbread with a hint of orange extract and a drizzle of melted chocolates.
Get the Orange Shortbread Cookies recipe.
Raspberry Fool
This traditional dessert is often found on Irish menus, but it's basically just fruit and cream. You can also use blackberries if you prefer.
Get Ree's Raspberry Fool recipe.
Guinness Brownies
"Brownies" may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Ireland, but that might just be because you haven't heard of Guinness brownies! Here, the dark, coffee-scented flavors of Guinness pair perfectly with a rich, fudgy brownie texture.
Get the Guinness Brownies recipe.
Petite Orange-Vanilla Scones
Add some coffee, and you've got yourself the perfect, Irish-inspired afternoon snack! A powdered sugar-based glaze loaded with vanilla and orange zest adds to the deliciousness.
Get Ree's Petite Orange-Vanilla Scones recipe.
Whiskey-Maple Ice Cream Sundaes with Bacon
The homemade whiskey sauce on this sundae is bold, sweet, and ultra-creative—just like the Irish! Don't forget to top with a piece of smoky, crispy bacon for the ultimate effect.
Get Ree's Whiskey-Maple Sundaes with Bacon recipe.
Irish Soda Bread
This is a must-have on St. Paddy's Day, but really, we could eat it throughout the year too. The best part is that you don't need to let it proof or rise!
Get the Irish Soda Bread recipe.
Irish Coffee
Not only is this coffee infused with Irish whiskey, but it's also topped with a heavenly Baileys-infused whipped cream—which makes it double as dessert.
Get Ree's Irish Coffee recipe.
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