16 Irish Dessert Recipes That'll Make Your St. Patrick's Day Sweeter

Mini Irish Soda Bread

This recipe may dole out Irish soda bread in pint-sized portions, but the winning flavor remains the same—especially if you slather yours in creamy Irish butter. If you've got lots of little leprechauns to share a snack with, this might be the way to go.

Irish Coffee

Who says you can't sip your dessert? Irish coffee is one of the most iconic cocktails to come out of the Emerald Isle (specifically, Foynes in the County Limerick). This sweet and strong drink features coffee, brown sugar, whiskey, and a touch of whipped cream on top.

Apple Fritter Cake

Apple cake is a time-honored Irish dessert favorite—and this simple pick features swirls of cinnamon and sugar for a warming, perfect St. Patrick's Day treat.

Brown Butter Jam Tarts

Tarts are a time-honored Irish dessert. These charming jam-filled versions are the perfect bite-sized accompaniment to tea—or an Irish coffee.

Salty Coffee Toffee Bars

Ireland is noted for its tasty toffee—and this super-easy treat features coffee-flavored swirls as the perfect foil to the buttery sweet.

Slice-and-Bake Lemon Shortbread

Buttery shortbread cookies are another Irish dessert staple. This tweak on the classic cookie is infused with lemon and is just the right thing to pair with a cozy cup of tea and a good book.

Croissant and Chocolate Bread Pudding

Is there anything more delicious than bread pudding? Why yes! Bread pudding made from croissants! The Irish love their puddings, and this decadent chocolatey one comes together in just three steps. Combine all the ingredients, bake, and enjoy!

Chocolate Truffles

Ireland is famous for their excellent chocolates, so a few truffles would be the perfect dessert to share on St. Patrick's Day. You can whip up a batch of these sweet tahini and date truffles and dress them up with green sprinkles or bits of toffee, or try a variation by infusing the filling with Irish cream, whiskey, or stout.

Sheet Pan Apple Crisp

Apple cake and crumble are favorite Irish desserts, and this easy apple crisp gives you the same vibes in a larger format to feed a crowd. Pair it with a custard sauce in lieu of ice cream for a more authentic Irish vibe.

Easy Irish Iced Coffee

Irish coffee is both boozy and heavily caffeinated, making it a doubly indulgent treat. For a cool tweak on the classic, try an iced version featuring coffee, whiskey, simple syrup, and heavy cream. To make it even sweeter, add some homemade whipped cream on top.

Berry Trifle With Elderberry Cream

Technically, trifle is England's claim to dessert fame, but like many delicious treats worldwide, it became popular in the neighboring countries. So Ireland also adores this all-too-easy layered dessert. And this trifle couldn't be easier, as the traditional cake layers are swapped out for store-bought cookies instead.

(And if berries aren't in season, frozen berries can also be used—you can simmer also them a little and let them cool for a nice, jammy texture.)

Chocolate Peppermint Shortbreads

Start with that Emerald Isle favorite: shortbread. Infuse it with cocoa and peppermint extract. Then coat it with chocolate and sprinkle it with crushed peppermint candies. If you're making this for St. Patrick's Day, use green-colored peppermints.

Apple Spice Donut Bread Pudding

This super simple dessert features two Irish dessert favorites—apples and bread pudding. (Though in this case, donuts take the place of stale bread.)

Pecan Chocolate Toffee Bars

There's a sweet shortcut for making this pecan toffee chocolate delight to enjoy on St. Patrick's Day: Pancake mix creates the perfect crispy crust for the creamy toffee-caramel-chocolate topping.

Apple Pie Skillet Cake

Apple desserts are a perfect pick for St. Patrick's Day—and takes just 20 minutes of hands-on time before you're ready to enjoy it.

Irish Soda Bread

Studded with raisins and spiced with caraway seeds, this classic bread is great toasted and served with butter. The best part of the recipe? It only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time to whip up this traditional Irish food.