Want to pull out all the stops for your St. Patrick's Day party? Bake one or two of these green desserts! They're such a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday.
34 Green Desserts to Enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day
Updated on Jan. 16, 2025
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Pistachio Salad
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fluffy salad is a real treat since it's creamy but not overly sweet. It's easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. Pistachio salad is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, served in a green bowl. —Pattie Ann Forssberg, Logan, Kansas
Sometimes known as Watergate salad, this pistachio fluff is a classic 1970s dessert. However, we think pistachios, pineapple and plenty of fluff create a timeless combination. Add a few extra drops of food coloring and you’ve got one of our favorite green desserts for St. Patrick’s Day.
2/34
Shamrock Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A handy cookie cutter shapes these sensational sweets. With a hint of mint flavor, these shamrock cookies are especially yummy. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
A list of green desserts without shamrock cookies? Not a chance! The mint flavor in these cookies pairs perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa or chocolate milk.
3/34
Pistachio and Coconut Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This coconut cake is good any time of the year, but the color is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. —Dora May Meredith, Rockford, Illinois
The secret to this pistachio and coconut cake is adding instant pistachio pudding mix to the cake mix and the frosting. The resulting layer cake is moist and flavorful, not to mention festive!
4/34
St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These St. Patrick's Day cupcakes go super-quick. Their pretty pastel color makes them a perfect dessert for this lively holiday. —Kathy Meyer, Almond, Wisconsin
The pistachio pudding mix gives these cupcakes a mild flavor that everyone adores, so they won’t last long on the dessert table. Create your own luck and make a double batch.
5/34
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this mint chocolate cheesecake for our high school's annual fundraiser. We were told that it brought a hefty price and was one of the first desserts to go! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
A splash of creme de menthe gives this cheesecake its signature flavor and color. Community Cook and recipe creator Sue Gronholz says that you can stir chopped cookie pieces right into the batter for extra crunch. Keep the pieces fairly small; if they’re too large, they have a tendency to rise to the top.
6/34
Fluffy Key Lime Pie
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a taste of paradise, try this no-bake Key lime pie recipe. It's low in fat, sugar and fuss. This truly is the best Key lime pie recipe ever! —Frances VanFossan, Warren, Michigan
Need a green dessert fast? This no-bake pie recipe uses whipped topping, gelatin and Key lime yogurt to create a fuss-free filling.
7/34
Minty Ice Cream Shamrocks
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With soft, chewy chocolate cookies and festive mint shamrock ice cream, these fun desserts are a sweet delight on St. Patrick's Day. —Beverly Coyde, Gasport, New York
These are a fun green dessert for the Irish holiday, but you can cut out the cookie wafers in any shape you choose and use any flavor ice cream. Try heart shapes for Valentine’s Day filled with strawberry ice cream.
8/34
Coconut Pistachio Pie
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We simply love the lightly toasted coconut crust that pairs so well with the pistachio pudding in this quick pie. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Our Test Kitchen skipped the traditional graham cracker crust for this recipe, instead using toasted coconut. This is one of those green desserts we can’t get enough of—no matter what time of year.
9/34
Easy Mint Thins
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends often try to guess the ingredients in these cookies, but I never tell them how simple they are to make. They taste just like the Girl Scout cookies, and they're perfect for holidays and bake sales. —Jennifer Setser, Morgantown, Indiana
When we say easy, we mean easy. These chocolate-mint treats start with Ritz crackers. To make them look over-the-top for St. Patrick’s Day (or any holiday), finish the treats with plenty of sprinkles and drizzles of chocolate.
10/34
Mint Swirl Fudge Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mint pairs with a silky, mild chocolate flavor for this colorful, beautiful cake that will be the talk of the holiday buffet. —Heidi Kelly, Norwood, Missouri
This might not look like a green dessert at first, but slice into the Bundt cake and you’ll find a delightful green ribbon of mint filling. You can give your guests a little preview by sprinkling chopped chocolate-mint candies on top.
11/34
Pistachio Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 6-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderful pistachio cookie recipe is fun to make and everyone will be impressed with how pretty the green coloring is. They're one of my favorite holiday cookies. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
In need of a bite-sized green dessert? These extra-tender cookies fit the bill. The recipe uses pistachio pudding mix, almond extract and toasted pecans for three times the nutty flavor.
12/34
Creme de Menthe Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We use creme de menthe liqueur (the term means "mint cream" in French) to add a cool touch to these impressive mascarpone-frosted cupcakes. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
With a few drops of food dye, you can transform these cupcakes into tasty green desserts to match the minty taste.
13/34
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
We have a cow, so homemade ice cream is a regular dessert in our household. This creamy mint chocolate chip ice cream recipe has a mild mint flavor. —Farrah McGuire, Springdale, Washington
With a good ice cream maker, stirring up homemade ice cream anytime is a breeze. Add a few drops of food dye to this recipe for the signature mint green color.
14/34
Lime-in-the-Coconut Almond Bark
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 1 pound
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the combination of flavors in this tropical treat, and it takes mere minutes to make. If you need something for a school or church bake sale, this will get you out of the kitchen in a flash. —Julie Beckwith, Crete, Illinois
Think outside the brown box with chocolate bark recipes. This one combines white baking chips, lime zest, coconut and almonds for a tropical-inspired treat.
15/34
Pistachio Buttons
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 10 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This cookie recipe makes a big batch, which comes in handy for dessert trays during the holidays. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan
This cookie recipe makes a big batch, which comes in handy when hosting. The green center adds a festive touch for Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day.
16/34
Raspberry Matcha Cake Roll
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This matcha cake roll has a very light texture. The raspberries give the whipped cream filling a pretty pale pink color. Strawberries could also be used instead of raspberries. —Kaori Shinohara, Paramus, New Jersey
Not all green desserts use food coloring. Matcha gives this cake a vibrant color. This tender cake roll with whipped cream has a very light texture and is perfect for spring.
17/34
Frozen Grasshopper Torte
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first made this minty cool torte for a ladies' meeting at our church. I’m still making it, and the compliments keep coming. —Elma Penner, Oak Bluff, Manitoba
If you want to add more food coloring to this dessert, feel free! A few drops will make this a very festive green dessert. For the best results, remove it from the freezer about 15 minutes before slicing.
18/34
Chocolate Mint Creams
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe came from an old family friend and is always high on everyone's cookie request list. I make at least six batches for Noel nibbling and give some away as gifts. —Beverly Fehner, Gladstone, Missouri
These chocolate-mint cookies are reminiscent of everyone’s favorite Girl Scout cookie. If you love this flavor combo, we’ve got plenty more chocolate-mint desserts to try.
19/34
Red Curry-Pandan Ice Cream
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
The curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of the pandan leaves to shine. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia with a naturally sweet, bright flavor. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This might be an unexpected ice cream flavor, but it is definitely one that’s worth trying for adventurous eaters in search of green desserts. The curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of the pandan leaves to shine.
20/34
Clover Rice Crispy Bars
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
30 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These sweet snacks are like the pot of gold at the end of your family's feast. And they will have the cook smiling too, because they're so easy to assemble. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These sweet snacks are like the pot of gold at the end of your family’s feast. With their yummy peppermint and marshmallow flavor, they’ll make even those without Irish hearts happy. These rice crispy bars will have the cook smiling, too, because they’re so easy to assemble.
21/34
Nana’s Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint Frosting
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Even though Nana is no longer with us, her treats bring me so much joy every time I bake them. For a more indulgent version, double the frosting and pile it on high! —Chekota Hunter, Cassville, Missouri
Andes candies star in so many of our favorite desserts (check out these Andes mint cookies and this mint brownie dessert). Here, we use the candies as an amazing topping.
22/34
Butter Mint Cookies
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These delicate mint cookies were a big hit when I made them for a party at work. —Anita Epitropou, Zion, Illinois
Sometimes all you need is an extra dose of sprinkles or colored sugar to transform a simple, sweet creation into a St. Patrick’s Day green dessert.
23/34
Grasshopper Pie
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I need only six ingredients to whip up this fluffy and refreshing grasshopper pie. I usually make two of the minty pies for our family, since none of us is never satisfied with just one slice. —LouCinda Zacharias, Spooner, Wisconsin
Start with a premade crust for this no-bake pie. Don’t forget to add a sprinkling of chocolate-mint cookies on top as a finishing touch!
24/34
Pistachio Bundt Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pistachio pudding mix gives this moist cake a pretty tint of green. As it bakes, the outside browns nicely to form a slightly crunchy crust. The cake slices beautifully and would make a fun dessert for St. Patrick's Day. —Becky Gant, South Bend, Indiana
Boxed mixes make this green dessert easy to fix. For the best results, use a fluted tube pan with a less elaborate design—it’ll make getting the cake out of the Bundt pan a cinch.
25/34
Lime Sherbet Punch
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
10 min
Servings
40 servings (8 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I married my husband in a rural spot, my parents surprised me with a beautiful white carriage to take us to the ceremony. What didn't surprise me was how delicious all the food was since my mother prepared everything, including this pretty pastel punch. —Jamie Gurney, Odessa, Missouri
Three ingredients create this creamy, foamy and limey punch recipe that’s as sweet as any dessert. With big scoops of lime sherbet bobbing in the bowl, who could resist pouring themselves a glass?
26/34
Mint Brownies
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
One of the best things about this recipe is that these mint chocolate brownies get moister if you leave them in the refrigerator for a day or two. The problem at our house is that no one can leave them alone for that long! —Helen Baines, Elkton, Maryland
The mint green filling in this brownie recipe is a subtle nod toward St. Patrick’s Day. Feel free to decorate the tops with green sprinkles to evoke a bit more festivity.
27/34
Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe from my daughter years ago. I've taken these chewy filled treats—and the treasured recipe—to many cookie exchanges. —Bertha Bratt, Lynden, Washington
Once the chocolate cookies are cooled, whip up the green frosting and add it to a piping bag with a pretty tip. You cold even roll the sides of the cookies in green sprinkles for extra flair!
28/34
Leprechaun Lime Drink
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You won't need the help of lucky little elves to ready this refreshing lime concoction. Cheery garnishes can be fixed in a wink to dress up each guest's glass. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lime sherbet, limeade concentrate and lemon-lime soda prickle the tongue with sweet and sour flavors. For an adult-only drink, add a little rum or vodka.
29/34
Lucky Leprechaun Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 15 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Let these little guys be the stars of your St. Patrick's Day party. They are so fun to make and create an unforgettable impression! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I truly cannot contain my love for these adorable cookies. They take a little skill, but I believe that anyone can pull off these treats with the right amount of patience and piping bags.
30/34
Creme de Menthe Squares
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This layered bar hits all the sweet spots: It’s airy, creamy, crunchy, and the perfect mix of cool mint and rich chocolate. It has a vintage dessert appeal that no one in our family can resist. —Marilyn Blankschien, Clintonville, Wisconsin
An Oreo crust, two creme de menthe marshmallow layers and a cream cheese chocolate pudding are the building blocks to this insanely decadent and green dessert.
31/34
Creamy Pistachio Cheesecake
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pistachio cheesecake uses pistachio butter to flavor the decadent and nutty filling. Extra chopped pistachios on top contrast the creaminess with a little crunch! —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
Real pistachio butter naturally colors and flavors this cheesecake—no pistachio pudding mix here! Top the cheesecake with extra pistachios or pistachio butter to continue the green effect.
32/34
Matcha Chia Pudding
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This matcha chia pudding is quick, easy and super healthy. Combine earthy matcha green tea powder, creamy almond milk and healthy chia seeds for superfood heaven in a little package. It is gluten-free, vegan, paleo and Whole30 approved! —Abra Pappa, New York, New York
This wholesome chia seed pudding is a food-forward dessert for guests, especially those with dietary restrictions. Alternatively, it’s a fun breakfast option to start your St. Patrick’s Day on a festive foot!
33/34
Chocolate Mint Wafers
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 7-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These festive cookies remind my family of after-dinner mints. With my husband and our two children munching on these chocolaty treats with cool mint filling, a batch never stays around long. —Annette Esau, Durham, Ontario
When baking cocoa plays such a big role in a chocolate dessert, I always splurge on the best cocoa powder for the best flavor. Coupled with the creamy mint filling, these wafers are an absolute dream.
34/34
Pistachio Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom is well-known for her holiday cookies, candies and cakes. This delicious dessert starts conveniently with a cake mix and instant pudding. You're sure to get requests for second helpings when you serve it. —Becky Brunette, Minneapolis, Minnesota
This pistachio cake couldn’t be more simple to put together, and it can bake in all sorts of different cake pans. Come for the beautiful, naturally green color, and stay for the moist cake and fluffy pistachio frosting.
Green Desserts FAQ
How can you make desserts green?
You can make desserts green with the help of green food coloring. Green food coloring can turn almost any batter, dough, frosting or filling green so long as it’s light in color to begin with.
How can you make desserts green naturally?
You can use naturally green ingredients to make desserts green. Matcha powder, pistachio butter, limes, and steeped mint or pandan are great naturally green ingredients to use. The coloring won’t be as electrifyingly vibrant as achieved from green food coloring, but these ingredients will impart a beautiful, soft green hue.
How can you serve these green desserts?
Serve these green desserts at St. Patrick’s Day parties, for loved ones at home, for birthday parties with a green color palette or as a treat for work.
