10 Traditional Irish Cookies (+ Easy Recipes) (2024)

Welcome to the delicious world of Irish cookies!

Have you ever indulged in the rich flavors of Irish butter, milk, and cheese? Then you know just how divine they can be when baked into cookies.

Whether you call them cookies or biscuits, they’re a beloved treat in Ireland. They’re also part of the grand tea tradition in the British Isles.

10 Traditional Irish Cookies (+ Easy Recipes) (1)

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These treats are beyond scrumptious, from lace cookies to soda bread cookies and everything in between.

Whether you’re a fan of classic or adventurous flavors, I have you covered with these 10 Irish cookie recipes.

Ready your pot of tea or glass of milk, and let’s begin.

1. Irish Shortbread

Irish shortbread cookies are a classic treat with a buttery, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.

These cookies are made with just a few simple ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour.

They’re the epitome of simplicity and deliciousness.

They have a rich, indulgent flavor and a light, delicate texture that makes them perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.

One bite of these cookies, and you’ll be hooked. Enjoy them plain or with a sprinkle of sugar.

Irish shortbread cookies will satisfy any sweet tooth craving.

2. Irish Oat Cookies

Irish oat cookies, also known as oatcakes, are a traditional Irish treat made from oats, flour, and butter.

They’re plainer than the American oatmeal cookies that tend to be loaded with chocolate chips, cranberries, etc.

But what they lack in mix-ins they make up for in their ridiculously buttery flavor.

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Crunchy and slightly crumbly, Irish oat cookies are perfect for dunking in your favorite hot beverage.

They’re also easy to make and require just a handful of simple ingredients, making them a popular choice for baking at home.

3. Small Batch Lace Cookies

Irish lace cookies are delicate, crispy, and lacy cookies made with butter, sugar, flour, and oats.

They’re known for their thin, lace-like appearance, which gives them their name.

These cookies have a light, buttery flavor, and a slightly sweet taste.

They’re the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee.

Enjoy Irish lace cookies as a snack or dessert, or serve them to guests at a tea party or special occasion.

Overall, these cookies are a delightful treat sure to please any dessert lover.

4. Irish Soda Bread Cookies

Irish soda bread cookies have a soft, chewy texture and a slightly crisp exterior.

The combination of caraway seeds and raisins gives them a distinct and delicious flavor reminiscent of traditional Irish soda bread.

The raisins add a subtle sweetness to the cookies, while the caraway seeds provide a slightly savory and earthy taste.

The lemon glaze adds a tangy and sweet finishing touch to the cookies.

These cookies are commonly eaten during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations but can be enjoyed year-round.

5. Irish Shamrock Sugar Cookies

These Irish shamrock sugar cookies are a scrumptious treat.

They’re made with a simple combination of flour, sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, and green food coloring.

The cookies are shaped like shamrocks and sprinkled with white sugar, providing sweetness and crunch.

They have a classic sugar cookie taste, a hint of vanilla, and a fun, festive touch.

These cookies fit the bill if you’re looking for the perfect dessert for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

6. Irish Triple Threat Cookies

Irish triple threat cookies are the ultimate indulgence for cookie lovers.

These little guys pack a punch with three main ingredients: rich Kerrygold Irish butter, hearty steel-cut oats, and a generous splash of Irish whiskey.

The cookies are a sight to behold, with a beautiful crackled top and a soft and chewy center.

You’ll love the satisfying texture of the steel-cut oats, which add a delicious nutty flavor to every bite.

And, of course, the Irish whiskey is the pièce de résistance, giving these cookies an irresistible boozy kick.

It lingers long after you’ve finished your last bite.

7. Irish Ginger Cookies

Irish ginger cookies are like a warm hug in cookie form.

These golden nuggets of deliciousness have a soft and chewy center that’s bursting with deep, spicy ginger flavor.

But that’s not all!

These cookies are also coated in a sugary, crunchy layer that adds the perfect amount of sweetness and texture.

From the first bite, you’ll be transported to a cozy Irish kitchen, with the scent of ginger and sugar wafting through the air.

Whether you enjoy them for St. Patrick’s or any day with a cup of tea, Irish ginger cookies are sure to delight.

8. Homemade Digestive Biscuits

Irish digestive biscuits are like the sophisticated cousin of the classic American graham cracker.

Made with whole wheat shortbread, these biscuits are crispy, buttery, and perfectly semi-sweet.

These biscuits may be called “digestive,” but they’re certainly not lacking in flavor.

The rich, buttery taste pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee, making them a favorite snack among the Irish.

And just like their name suggests, these biscuits aid in digestion.

They’re a perfect treat for any time of day.

9. Guinness Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip Guinness cookies are the perfect treat for beer and chocolate lovers alike.

These decadent cookies combine Guinness’s deep, malty flavor with the sweetness of white and dark chocolate chips.

With a chewy, buttery texture and the perfect sweetness, these cookies will satisfy your cravings for something indulgent.

They’re the ultimate comfort food that’ll warm your heart and satisfy your tastebuds.

10. Irish Potato Cookies (Potato Candy)

Round out your St. Patrick’s Day festivities with these adorable Irish potato cookies!

Despite the name, these delicious bites are actually made from cream cheese, coconut, butter, and sugar.

There are no potatoes involved.

What makes Irish potato candy truly special is its fun, potato-like shape.

The dusting of cinnamon adds even more to its spud-tastic appearance.

With a creamy, coconutty truffle-like center, these little bites are bursting with flavor.

They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth without being too overpowering.

Plus, they’re easy to make and require no baking!

They’re definitely a great option for a quick and easy St. Patrick’s Day treat.

10 Traditional Irish Cookies (+ Easy Recipes) (2)

10 Traditional Irish Cookies (+ Easy Recipes)

These traditional Irish cookies are a stroke of good luck! From shortbread to ginger to Guinness chocolate chip, you’ll love these easy recipes.

Ingredients

  • Irish Shortbread

  • Irish Oat Cookies

  • Small Batch Lace Cookies

  • Irish Soda Bread Cookies

  • Irish Shamrock Sugar Cookies

  • Irish Triple Threat Cookies

  • Irish Ginger Cookies

  • Homemade Digestive Biscuits

  • Guinness Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Irish Potato Cookies (Potato Candy)

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep an Irish cookie batch in 30 minutes or less!
10 Traditional Irish Cookies (+ Easy Recipes) (3)

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10 Traditional Irish Cookies (+ Easy Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What is the famous cookie in Ireland? ›

Favorite Traditional Irish Cookies

Irish Shortbread: although shortbread's history is more closely associated with Scotland, the Irish have adapted it with their amazing butter, following the usual ratio of one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour.

What's the difference between Irish and Scottish shortbread? ›

Irish Shortbread Is Distinct From Scottish Shortbread

Irish shortbread not only sometimes changes up the butter-to-sugar ratio (possibly going with 2/3 a cup of sugar to 1 cup of butter), but also adds cornstarch in place of some of the flour present in the traditional recipe.

What's the difference between sable biscuits and shortbread? ›

The main difference between classic Scottish or Irish shortbread and French sables is eggs. Sable recipes include eggs or, as in this recipe, egg yolks. The egg adds a rich flavor and delicate texture. Sable means sand or sandy in French and refers to the crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture of these delicious cookies.

What is a cookie called in Ireland? ›

In Ireland the treat one often takes with a cup of tea is called a biscuit. In America the same treat is called a cookie.

What are the 3 traditional shapes of shortbread? ›

There are 3 shapes: fingers, petticoat tails, and rounds

Meet the 3 shortbread shapes: petticoat tails, rounds, and fingers (the most popular type).

Why does shortbread have holes in the top? ›

The word "bread" comes from "biscuit bread" which was made from leftover bread dough that was sweetened and dried out in the oven to make biscuits. Why do you poke holes in shortbread? The holes allow the moisture to escape during baking and more even heat distribution. This helps dry out and crisp up the cookies.

What country makes the best shortbread? ›

Shortbread is generally associated with and originated in Scotland, but due to its popularity it is also made in the rest of the United Kingdom, and similar biscuits are also made in Denmark, Ireland and Sweden. The Scottish version is the best-known, and is widely exported.

What is shortbread called in America? ›

Americans are the outlier on how we use "biscuit"

To most of the rest of the English-speaking world, a biscuit is what Americans would refer to as either a cookie or a cracker. Biscuits can be sweet (shortbread) or savory. They're baked in the oven, and they're crisp, not chewy.

Are chessmen cookies shortbread? ›

To make a copycat version of Chessmen cookies at home, the recipe is a simple butter cookie cut out in a special shape. A butter cookie is slightly different from shortbread but with a higher ratio of sugar to butter.

What is the #1 cookie in the US? ›

Nearly 93% of all American households serve and enjoy cookies as treats or after meals. However, it's the chocolate chip cookie that's the most popular in the U.S. and around the world. How much do youknow about chocolate chip cookies?

What is the #1 cookie in the United States? ›

1 Chocolate Chip Cookie (No Further Description Necessary)

America's favorite cookie and the one dubbed “the American cookie” is the Chocolate chip cookie.

What is the most eaten cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

Do Irish say cookie or biscuit? ›

"Biscuits" in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and Ireland are usually hard and may be savoury or sweet, such as chocolate biscuits, digestives, hobnobs, ginger nuts, rich tea, shortbread, bourbons, and custard creams.

What is the 1 cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What is the most famous cookie? ›

America's favorite cookie and the one dubbed “the American cookie” is the Chocolate chip cookie. Chocolate chip cookie is simply tantalizing both in flavor and in texture.

What is Europe's favorite cookie? ›

Europe's Favorite Cookie with CoffeeSince 1932, Biscoff® cookies have been Europe's coffee break favorite. Delectably crunchy, with a simple, yet refined flavor, Biscoff cookies are perfect for taking the timeout that you deserve.

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