12 Traditional Irish Desserts You Need to Try

Irish Tea Cake with fruit
Photo: Deb C

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day (or any day of the year, really) the right way with one of these traditional Irish desserts. Whether you're looking for a recipe that's been passed down from generation to generation, a sweet way to use up leftover spuds, or just something that evokes the flavors of Ireland, you'll find new and old favorites in this collection of traditional Irish recipes.

01 of 12

Irish Soda Bread Cookies

1111342-irish-soda-bread-cookies-photo-by-ct-usamom-650x465
Irish Soda Bread Cookies | Photo by Ct UsaMom.

Get all the flavors of traditional Irish soda bread in these easy cookies. To simplify this recipe even more, skip the rolling process and just scoop the cookie dough directly onto the baking sheet.

02 of 12

Irish Ginger Snaps

Irish Ginger Snap
Irish Ginger Snap | Photo by Allrecipes.

"I love these cookies, thank you so much for sharing the recipe," raves reviewer Kim Crawley Sappington. "I make it exactly the way the recipe instructs and they are always wonderful."

03 of 12

Irish Tea Cake

Irish Tea Cake with fruit
Deb C

This elegant butter cake, which features a dusting of powdered sugar, is the perfect simple dessert. It's great served with tea or coffee, according to recipe creator Cindy.

04 of 12

Traditional Irish Apple Cake

Traditional Irish Apple Cake
Yoly

This traditional Irish apple cake is wonderfully simple. Thinly sliced layered apples make for a gorgeous view when the cake is sliced.

05 of 12

Mum's Irish Apple Pie

Mum's Irish Apple Pie
nanklesaria

"As a little boy I grew up helping my mother make apple and fruit pies," says recipe creator BRIANGREEN. "She was from Cork in southern Ireland so I'm guessing the recipe is Irish and possibly the same one her mother taught her. Sadly my mum is no longer with us, but her legendary apple pie lives on in my memory."

06 of 12

Irish Pound Cake

Irish Pound Cake
Sharon Gordon

"This is a recipe that has been handed down through the generations of my family," says recipe creator MARYANNEQ. "We credit my Great Grandmother, Catherine O'Grady, with this recipe."

07 of 12

Irish Dairy Cake

Irish Dairy Cake
Cookin Up a Storm

"This is an authentic Irish recipe," according to recipe creator Aven. "I got it from a dear Irish friend. It is not for the faint of heart ... but it is divine."

08 of 12

Chef John's Irish Soda Bread

Chef John's Irish Soda Bread
Beth Ann Olmsted

Chef John's take on Irish soda bread is subtly sweet, which makes it perfect for dinner or dessert. "If made correctly, this is one of the best quick breads (those leavened without yeast) you'll ever have," according to Chef John.

09 of 12

Irish Bannock

Loaf of bread with raisins being sliced on cutting board
Kim

This traditional Irish bread has a texture similar to a scone, according to recipe creator Ruth Uitto. She suggests eating it for breakfast or serving with tea or coffee.

10 of 12

Potato Candy From Ohio

Potato Candy from Ohio
LeeAnn Jacobs

"My mom always made this for the holidays when I was a kid in Ohio," says recipe creator Kandi Brooks. "You can use left over potatoes from last night's supper or just throw a potato in the microwave for 5 minutes, cool, and add butter and a little salt."

11 of 12

Irish Potato Cake

Irish Potato Cake
Mary Weston

This is an old family recipe that recipe creator nanniesue said she learned from her grandmother. It's best served with fruit, according to nanniesue.

12 of 12

Sweet Irish Bread

Sweet Irish Bread loaf and slice
chef Anel

"Amazing bread," raves reviewer Tammy. "My Grandma was Irish and made Sweet Irish Bread all the time. This is a good bread to eat any time of day and is good cold, warm, toasted, etc."

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