Name: St Patricks Day Cupcake with Mint Oreo Icing
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 21 min
Total time: 41 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 C flour; ¼ C unsweetened cocoa powder; ¾ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; ½ C light brown sugar; ½ C sugar; ⅓ C Canola oil; ½ C buttermilk; 1 large egg; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 1 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened; 3 C powdered sugar; 1/4 C ground mint Oreo cookies; 2-3 drops of mint green food coloring; 2 tsp mint extract; 5 tbsp heavy whipping cream; 1 C andes baking chips; 22 Mint oreo cookies, cut in half

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Oh, holiday baking always brings joy! Our St Patricks Day Cupcake with Mint Oreo Icing will be a huge hit. It’s simple to prepare and so delicious to share. Plus, the Oreo mint twist adds something totally unique. With minimal effort, this recipe can easily become a family favorite.

Speaking of festive treats, green food ideas are always so much fun to explore! From snacks to desserts, something green can brighten any table. Spinach wraps, guacamole dip, or even green smoothies are always crowd-pleasers. And, of course, anything with mint or matcha is a hit for sweets. Plus, these ideas are super easy to prepare and can fit any celebration. With just a bit of creativity, your green-themed menu will completely impress everyone!

Recipes like a these cupcakes with mint frosting are truly lifesavers for busy families. They’re budget-friendly because most ingredients are already pantry staples or easily affordable. Plus, there’s no stress involved since the steps are straightforward and quick to follow—anyone can help!

I love how these cupcakes are a fun way to bring everyone into the kitchen, letting the kids decorate with minimal mess. They’re the kind of treat that feels special without requiring hours of work. Best of all, they bring smiles to everyone’s faces, making family time even sweeter.

Homemade Icing Recipes

We love making frosting from scratch!! Here are some of our favorites that we’ve made over the years!

Any of these would work beautifully with this homemade cupcake recipe if you don’t want to use the mint icing.

While you’re here make sure you also check out our St Patricks Day Recipes that your family will love.

The Perfect Ingredients for St Patricks Day Cupcakes with Mint Oreo Icing

The ingredients for these homemade St Patricks Day cupcakes come together to create a dessert that’s equal parts indulgent and festive. The chocolate cupcake base is rich, moist, and perfectly balanced, while the mint Oreo frosting brings a cool, creamy sweetness with a fun cookie crunch. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from the structure of the cupcake to the delicate mint flavoring that adds the perfect festive touch. Every bite feels special yet familiar, making it a guaranteed hit for any celebration.

Chocolate Cupcake Ingredients and Their Significance

flour – Provides the structure and stability for the cupcake.
unsweetened cocoa powder – Delivers the rich chocolate flavor that’s loved by everyone.
baking powder – Helps the cupcakes rise to a soft, fluffy texture.
baking soda – Works with the baking powder to ensure the perfect lift and crumb.
salt – Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and intensifying the cocoa.
light brown sugar – Adds a touch of molasses for depth and moisture.
sugar – Balances the bitterness of the cocoa with pure sweetness.
canola oil – Keeps the cupcakes moist and tender without becoming greasy.
buttermilk – Creates a soft, velvety crumb with its slight tanginess.
egg – Acts as the binder, bringing all the ingredients together.
vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet background flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly.

Mint Cookie Frosting Ingredients and Their Importance

unsalted sweet cream butter – The creamy base for an ultra-smooth frosting.
powdered sugar – Provides sweetness and the perfect frosting texture.
ground mint Oreo cookies – Infuses the icing with a delicious minty crunch that’s irresistible.
mint green food coloring – Adds a festive, vibrant color to match the St. Patrick’s theme.
mint extract – Elevates the frosting with an authentic, refreshing mint flavor.
heavy whipping cream – Makes the frosting fluffy, light, and easy to pipe.
piping bag fitted with a large star tip – Helps create bakery-style swirls that are eye-catching and fun.

Decoration Ingredients and Their Purpose

Andes baking chips – Melts beautifully and enhances the chocolate-mint flavor profile.
Mint Oreo cookies – Adds a crunchy, decorative finish that looks and tastes amazing.

Altogether, these ingredients create a dessert that’s not only delicious but also visually stunning and perfectly themed for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s an easy-to-make treat that feels like a professional creation!

Tips for Making Homemade Mint Icing

If you have never made homemade mint icing before, don’t be intimidated. It is not harder than making any other homemade frosting. Here are some of my best tips.

Start with softened butter – Make sure your butter is at room temperature. This helps the icing mix smoothly and avoids any lumps.
Sift the powdered sugar – Sifting removes clumps and ensures a silky-smooth texture for your icing. It’s worth the extra minute!
Add mint extract gradually – Start with a small amount and taste as you go. Mint can be strong, so it’s best to find the perfect balance.
Don’t overdo the food coloring – Just 2-3 drops of mint green food coloring are usually enough for a festive look. Too much can be overpowering.
Use heavy cream for fluffiness – Adding just the right amount of heavy cream makes your icing light, creamy, and easy to pipe.
Grind the cookies finely – If your recipe calls for cookies, like Mint Oreos, make sure they’re crushed into fine crumbs. This prevents chunks from clogging your piping tip.
Chill if needed – If your icing feels too soft after mixing, pop it into the fridge for 10-15 minutes. It’ll firm up just enough for better piping.
Experiment with sweetness – If it’s too sweet for your liking, add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
Practice your piping design – Before decorating your cupcakes, test a little swirl on parchment paper. It’s a great way to perfect your technique.
Store extras properly – If you make too much, save the extra icing in an airtight container in the fridge. It can last for a few days!

These tips are guaranteed to make your mint icing turn out smooth, flavorful, and picture-perfect for any dessert!

Is Amazon a good place to buy St Patricks Day inspired baking supplies?

Amazon is the ultimate one-stop shop for all your St. Patrick’s Day baking needs! With an endless variety of ingredients, decorations, and tools, you’re sure to find everything you need to whip up festive treats. Plus, affordable prices and fast shipping mean you’ll have your goodies in hand just in time to celebrate.

48 Pieces St Patrick’s Day Cupcake Toppers Cupcake Wrappers Kit for Irish Shamrock Theme Party Favor Supplies, 8 Style St. Patrick’s Day 25 Chocolate Coins Gold Shamrock Coins Foils, Belgian Milk Chocolate Clover Coins Bag Nut-Free (25-Pack)DecoPac St. Patrick’s Day Fusion Mix Sprinkles, 26oz, Green, White Candy Sprinkles in Handheld Container, Edible Decorations For Celebration Cakes, Cupcakes, Cookies and Donuts 24 PCS St Patrick’s Day Cupcake Toppers Glitter Shamrock Lucky Four Leaf Clover Cupcake Picks Horseshoe Cake Decorations for St Patrick’s Day Theme Baby Shower Birthday Party Supplies Manvscakes | 7.5 ounce Sweet luck sprinkles | St. Patrick’s day sprinkles | Green sprinkles | Edible sprinkles | Cale sprinkles | Cookie sprinkles Clover Cookie Cutter Set, 4-Piece St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Cookie Cutter Set, Metal Irish Holiday Party Supplies 4”, 3.2”, 1.85”, 1.3”, Stainless Steel Baking Kit

Tips for Adding Icing to Cupcakes and Making Them Pretty

Sure you can just smear the icing on the cupcake OR you can pipe it on there and make it gorgeous! Here are some of the things I do to make it pretty.

Start with a piping bag – A piping bag with a large star tip makes it so easy to create those fancy bakery-style swirls.
Twist the bag securely – Twist the top of the piping bag to keep icing from spilling out while you’re working. Trust me, it saves a mess!
Pipe from the outside in – Begin at the outer edge of the cupcake and slowly swirl toward the center for a full, even look.
Add height for drama – For that professional touch, add a second swirl layer to the icing, building it a little higher.
Use a steady hand – Keep your hand steady and use even pressure while piping. Take your time—it’s not a race!
Decorate right after icing – Sprinkles, chocolate chips, or cookie crumbles will stick best when the icing is freshly piped.
Try a dusting of color – For extra flair, lightly dust the tops with edible glitter or colored sugar for a pop of sparkle.
Use a spatula for texture – If you don’t have a piping bag, use an offset spatula to swirl the icing and create rustic, homemade patterns.
Chill before transporting – If you plan on moving your cupcakes, pop them in the fridge for 15 minutes to set the icing.
Finish with a topper – Add fun decorations like an Oreo cookie half, a mint candy, or even a small flag for a festive look.

With these tips, your cupcakes will look as incredible as they taste—even the kids will think you’re a pro baker!

Festive Variations to St Patricks Day Cupcakes

Want to do something a little different or switch things up a bit? Here are some of other ways you can make treats that are worth celebrating!

Pot of Gold Cupcakes – Add a surprise filling by hollowing out the center and adding gold sprinkles or mini chocolate coins. Top with a gold candy or edible glitter for a magical touch.

Rainbow-Themed Swirls – Pipe your mint frosting in a two-toned style, combining mint green and white or even rainbow colors to create a whimsical look that feels like the end of a rainbow!

Chocolate-Mint Marble Cupcakes – Swirl a bit of mint-flavored batter into the chocolate cupcake base for a marbled effect. It not only looks stunning but adds a unique flavor twist.

Shamrock Toppers – Use shamrock-shaped candies or light green fondant cutouts as toppers. It’s a simple way to make the cupcakes even more festive and holiday-specific.

Gold Drip Effect – Drizzle a little gold-colored glaze or melted white chocolate with gold food coloring over the piped icing for a striking, elegant design.

Mint Chocolate Chip Crunch – Add mini chocolate chips to the frosting for a mint chocolate chip ice cream-inspired vibe. You can also sprinkle them on top for extra texture.

Leprechaun Hats – Place a mini chocolate-dipped marshmallow or a tiny ice cream cone atop the cupcake and decorate it like a leprechaun hat using green-colored candy melts.

Green Velvet Cupcakes – Substitute cocoa powder for a vibrant green velvet base instead of a chocolate one. It’s a fun twist everyone will love!

Whipped Cream Clouds – Add dollops of white whipped cream alongside the green icing swirls to give the look of fluffy clouds over a rainbow.

Mint Cookie Sandwich Cupcakes – Instead of just Oreo halves on top, sandwich a little frosting between two whole Mint Oreos and place it as the topper. Bonus points for extra indulgence!

These variations are great for keeping your cupcakes festive and exciting, while also being perfect for every level of baker. Moms, dads, and kids will love these fun and creative ideas!

Recipes for March 17th

Looking to add some fun and flavor to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration? Whether you’re hosting a lively party or enjoying a cozy day with your family, these themed recipes are perfect for spreading festive cheer. From sweet treats to savory favorites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

These St. Patrick’s Day recipes are sure to make your celebration extra special. Gather your loved ones, don your best green outfits, and enjoy every festive bite!