Is there even such a thing as “Irish plaid”? Irish tartan patterns? For the sake of this post, let’s say yes. If I had my act together, I’d have gotten a Shamrock cookie cutter. Or looked through my hundreds of cookie cutters to find the Shamrock I probably already own. But alas, this pattern can be made on any shape cookie. So here are some plaid cookies for St. Patrick’s Day.
how to make plaid cookies
you will need:*
*I used a 2-inch circle cutter. For food coloring, I used Americolor gel pastes, Electric Green, Leaf Green, Egg Yellow and Bright White. Find decorating bags, couplers, tips and cutters at the craft store. For tips on finding cookie decorating supplies, click HERE.
step one: bake your cookies
Roll out chilled dough, cut out and bake cookies according to the recipe. Let cool completely.
step two: make your icing
Make icing according to the recipe, divide and tint your colors. You’ll need: lime green (the most of this, as it’s your background color), bright green, yellow and white. Assemble decorating bags with couplers and tips and fill with the icing. Use a 3 tip for the bright green, 2 tips for yellow and white, and a 4 tip for the lime green. Reserve half of the lime green icing in a bowl, covered. Close bags tightly with rubber bands.
step three: flood the background
Pipe an outline with the lime green. Let set about 15 minutes. Thin reserved lime green icing with water until the consistency of thick glue. Fill an empty decorating bag with the thinned icing, snip 1/4 inch from the tip, and loosely pipe to fill the cookies, letting the the icing flood the entire cookie. Encourage with a toothpick if needed. Let set well, several hours at least or overnight.
step four: pipe the plaid
Pipe lines with the bright green 3 tip (a grid pattern). Then pipe thinner lines next to the green lines with the yellow and white 2 tips. Let dry.
Rosaleda (Maria Begoña) says
March 1, 2011 at 4:51 pmA wonderful cookies.
I'll stick with your idea, I feel great
Greetings from Jerez, Spain
SweetSugarBelle says
March 1, 2011 at 5:40 pmThese are gorgeous…I love plaid, but I always whimp out! Pretty Colors and I actually like the round 🙂
Jenn @ BentoForKidlet says
March 1, 2011 at 7:33 pmYes, there are Irish tartans 🙂 so you're not off there! The cookies are adorable!!
Sue says
March 1, 2011 at 7:47 pmI love them just the way they are! The colors, the plaid, the cookie stack~love it all!
mr. pineapple man says
March 1, 2011 at 8:01 pmso beautiful!
Meg says
March 1, 2011 at 8:53 pmCute- I love the plaid and the bright colors. They don't need to be shamrock shaped at all! I like it better that they aren't actually.
lilaloa says
March 2, 2011 at 12:09 amWhat a fun design! And they look SOO tasty!
Rosy says
March 2, 2011 at 1:23 amI like it! It's like a preppy St. Patties Day cookie.
Rachel says
March 2, 2011 at 1:54 amCute, cute, cute!
Lora says
March 2, 2011 at 2:27 amLove these. The plaid is so sweet, cheerful and springlike!
Jenn (Cookies Cupcakes Cardio) says
March 2, 2011 at 3:59 amSo cute! Thanks for the inspiration for the upcoming "holiday".
Carmeta says
March 2, 2011 at 9:19 pma wonderful cookies, so cute, I love plaid, kisses from Spain¡
Bea says
March 2, 2011 at 9:29 pmSo cute!
jess says
March 3, 2011 at 4:52 pmI love plaid, what an awesome idea for St. Patricks…so different than the usual shamrocks. Love it!!
Lot-O-Choc says
March 3, 2011 at 9:15 pmAw wow these are perfect for st patricks day! Look delicious!
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet says
March 3, 2011 at 11:27 pmIrish Plain – loving it
Amanda says
March 5, 2011 at 2:29 pmAck! These are way too adorable! You did it again 🙂
Nicole (Life's a Batch) says
March 6, 2011 at 2:29 amThese are so cute, and I love how simply FUN they are! Thank you, Meaghan, for sharing. 🙂
franca says
March 7, 2011 at 3:56 pmquesti biscotti sono bellissimi,ma sei bravissima con i decori, ogni volta che vengo nel tuo blog rimango sempre a bocca aperta,complimenti
ciao e buona settimana
these cookies are beautiful, but you're very good with the decor, every time I come to your blog I am always open-mouthed, congratulations
hello and good week
Katrina says
March 7, 2011 at 9:55 pmI love these! And that last photo is gorgeous! ♥- Katrina
The Little Baker says
March 10, 2011 at 2:49 pmthese were so cute that i had to make them! i used a scalloped edge square cookie cutter. i misplaced my shamrock cookie cutter and of course found it after decorating the plaid squares. as it turns out, i like your idea much better anyway – versatile throughout springtime.
Cathy says
March 15, 2011 at 3:45 amWow! Those look great!
Tia says
March 15, 2011 at 8:44 pmsuper cute idea!
Buttercreambarbie
bridget {bake at 350} says
March 21, 2011 at 9:28 pmthese are darling! And yes, I think there is Irish plaid….and if not, there SHOULD be! 🙂
Kelly says
March 10, 2013 at 3:12 pmThank you for posting this! It is just what I needed for a project I am going to do today. I love that there are so many of you helping out by sharing your ideas. I know that looking at some of others ideas just spurs my own. So truly, thanks so much! Adorable cookies too <3
meaghanmountford says
March 10, 2013 at 3:55 pmThank you Kelly! You just hit the nail on the head of how blogging is supposed to work, in my eye. 🙂
Heather - Chickabug says
July 10, 2013 at 1:50 pmDefinitely making these next year! Love them! : )