jo anne's place logo

Festive St. Patrick's Day Recipes - Updated 2025!

Celebrate the luck of the Irish with these festive, healthier St. Patrick's Day recipes! We've added some brand new recipes to the list for 2025 - Slainte!

Shamrock Smoothie

Looking for a healthier alternative to the classic Shamrock Shake? Try this recipe! This green smoothie offers a creamy texture and a hint of sweetness while packing in essential nutrients . It's a refreshing way to celebrate without compromising your wellness goals!

woman drinking a green smoothie from a glass jar with a straw
Ingredients
  • 1 Cup of Almond Milk
  • 1/2 Cup of Vegan Vanilla Yogurt
  • 1 Cup of Spinach
  • 1/2 of a Banana
  • 1/2 of an Avocado
  • 1 tbsp of NAKA Vital Greens (or greens of choice)
  • 2 tbsps of Cacao Nibs
  • 1/2 tsp of Peppermint Extract


Pop all ingredients into your blender and blend 'em up. Feel free to top with some coconut cream or milk. Enjoy!

Traditional Irish Soda Bread

"While its ingredients may be simple, soda bread is an Irish tradition that has led the country through some of its darkest times." Irish soda bread is a staple in many Irish households, especially in the lead up to St. Patrick's Day. It began as an affordable necessity first baked by the Irish in the 1830s - although Native Americans were the first documented to use pearl ash, a natural form of baking soda, to leaven their bread without yeast!

Ingredients
  • 1 3/4 cups of cold buttermilk - or a buttermilk alternative like this vegan one
  • 1 large egg (or egg substitute)
  • 4 1/4 cups of all purpose flour (or gluten free alternative)
  • 3 tbsps of granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • Optional: 1 cup of raisins
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Options for the baking pan. Use a regular baking sheet and line with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat or use a seasoned 10-12 inch cast iron skillet, or grease a 9-10 inch cake pan or pie dish.
  3. Whisk your buttermilk and egg together and set aside. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingers. The mixture is very heavy on the flour, but do your best to cut in the butter until the butter is pea-sized crumbs. Stir in the raisins if adding.
  4. Pour in the buttermilk and egg mixture. Gently fold the dough together until dough it is too stiff to stir. Pour crumbly dough onto a lightly-floured work surface. With floured hands, work the dough into a ball as best you can, then knead for about 30 seconds or until all the flour is moistened. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
  5. Transfer the dough to the prepared skillet/pan. Using a very sharp knife, score the dough with a slash or X about 1/2 inch deep.
  6. Bake until the bread is golden brown and center appears cooked through, about 45-55 minutes.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or toasted with desired toppings/spreads.
  8. Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. We usually wrap it tightly in aluminum foil for storing.


Recipe adapted from Sally's Baking

Vegan Non-Alcoholic Irish Cream

Indulge in the rich flavours of Irish cream with this vegan, non-alcoholic recipe perfect for adding a decadent twist to your morning coffee. This cream was previously offered on our '76 Sips menu for St. Patrick's Day! This dairy-free alternative promises to elevate your coffee experience without any animal products or alcohol. Enjoy the creamy goodness guilt-free!

Barista pouring irish cream on a cup of cold brew
Ingredients:
  • 1 Can of full fat coconut milk (We used Cha's)
  • 3 Tbsps of Brown Sugar or coconut sugar (Or more if you'd like it sweeter)
  • 3 1/4 tsps of organic vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp of instant coffee
  • 3/4 cup of plain rice milk (or preferred plant milk)


Whisk all ingredients together in a large bowl. Add about 2 oz (1/4 cup) to your coffee! Transfer extra to a mason jar and store in the fridge.

Vegan Matcha Cookies

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a delightful twist on the classic cookie – vegan matcha white chocolate cookies! These festive cookies offer a vibrant green hue from the matcha and the sweetness of white chocolate, making them a delightful treat for the holiday!

matcha and white chocolate cookies
Ingredients:

Makes 20-24 cookies.


  • 2 Cups of flour (use gluten-free if preferred)
  • 2 tsp of baking powder
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • 1.5 tbsp matcha powder (we used our Jo Anne's Place bulk matcha)
  • 1/2 cup of sugar (we used coconut sugar)
  • 1/2 tsp of sea salt
  • 2/3 cup of maple syrup
  • 2 tsp organic vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup preferred oil (we used coconut)
  • 2/3 cup of vegan white chocolate chips (optional - can also use vegan dark chocolate chips or nuts for less sugar!)


Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. In a medium bowl, add your flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, matcha, and salt. Use a fork to whisk together. It can help to whisk or to sift your matcha powder beforehand so that it doesn't clump
  3. In a smaller bowl, combine maple syrup with vanilla and oil and stir until well combined
  4. Add the wet mixture to the dry one and stir once or twice only!
  5. If you're adding in chocolate chips or nuts, add them now. Use a wooden spoon to fold until the they are combined but be sure not to overmix
  6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop out about 1 inch of dough to make the cookies. If you don't have a large cookie scoop, use a big spoon and eyeball it
  7. Smoosh the cookies so that they are flat, not round. If you skip this step, they won't flatten during baking.
  8. Bake your cookies for 11 minutes, absolutely no more than 12 minutes!
  9. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy!


Store these on the counter in an air-tight container for 2-3 days, in the fridge for up to 7 days, and in the freezer for 1-3 months.

3 Ingredients Vegan Matcha Ice Cream

Ingredients:

Makes 2 servings.


  • 1/4 cup of coconut milk
  • 3 ripe bananas , frozen
  • 1 tbsp matcha powder
  • Optional: 1 tsp of vanilla extract and/or 2-3 tbsp of sweetener of choice such as honey or maple syrup
Directions:
  1. If your frozen bananas are not sliced, thaw them enough that you can cut them into smaller chunks.
  2. Place your bananas in a blender or food processor, and add the coconut milk and matcha powder. Blend until smooth and creamy!
  3. Taste and add vanilla and/or sweetener of choice and blend again until incorporated.
  4. If you like a soft-serve texture, eat immediately. If you want a firmer ice cream, store in the freezer for 2-3 hours.
  5. Enjoy!

Emerald Isle Hummus Dip

Ingredients:

Makes 1 1/2 cups.


  • A 15 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained (such as Cullens or Eden Organic)
  • 2 tbsp of lime juice (Arema)
  • 1 small clove of garlic, peeled
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup of fresh spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup of fresh parsley leaves
  • 1/4 cup of sliced green onions
  • 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh chives
  • 1/3 cup of water
Directions:
  1. In a blender or food processor, combine chickpeas, lime juice, garlic, and 1/3 cup of water
  2. Cover and blend until smooth
  3. Season with salt and pepper
  4. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until just combined
  5. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Pairs great with tortilla chips, Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps, Freeyumm gluten- free crackers, and more!

Ingredients available at Jo Anne's Place. To see store hours, click here.

Made our recipe? Tag us on social media - we'd love to share your creation with our community!

By April Allen February 20, 2025
Who run the world? Girls! March is Women's History Month, and March 8th is International Women’s Day. What better time than this to lift up the women around us! Because of the entrepreneurial courage of our founder Jo Anne & the continued efforts of our now owners & team (which is over 80% women), we have been serving Peterborough & The Kawarthas for almost 50 years! We are thankful not only for the amazing women in our team, but for the meaningful connections we have made with so many inspiring women in our community. It is important to us to continue fostering an environment where women feel safe, supported & inspired. We are excited to look to the future and continue to evolve to meet the needs of our community.
By April Allen February 13, 2025
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in something sweet, and this Avocado Chocolate Mousse is a rich, creamy, and guilt-free way to do it! Made with wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened, this luscious dessert is vegan, gluten-free, and packed with healthy fats —so you can treat yourself (or someone special) without compromise. Whether you’re celebrating with a loved one or enjoying a little self-care, this silky-smooth mousse is sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make , leaving you more time to savour the moment. Makes about 4 servings.
By Jonathan Tessier February 6, 2025
Why Buy Canadian? While tariff's have been paused for the time being, we still think it is a great time to highlight some of the amazing Canadian products in our store and talk about some of the benefits they have over American items.
By Jonathan Tessier February 5, 2025
Spicy Coconut Vegetable Stir F ry
By April Allen February 2, 2025
Struggling to find unique Valentine's Day gifts?
By April Allen January 30, 2025
Your body is home to trillions of microorganisms that play a vital role in your overall health. These tiny communities—your microbiome—exist in different areas, including your gut, mouth, lungs, skin, and, for women, the vaginal flora. When balanced, it supports digestion, immunity, and even mood regulation. But when disrupted by factors like poor diet, stress, or environmental factors, it can contribute to a range of health issues. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to nourish and support these essential microbiomes to help you feel your best from the inside out. And we'll discuss how they're all interconnected.
By April Allen January 28, 2025
Keep scrolling for some fun, festive, and functional Valentine's Day drinks!
A clock in the middle with an assortment of food underneath and the text
By Jonathan Tessier January 28, 2025
What is Chrononutrition? Chrononutrition is the science of how food, metabolism, meal timing, and your body clock interact. More research is currently needed, but for now, scientists are trying to understand how your body responds to food at different times of the day. They are interested in whether these factors influence metabolic health and the risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes. How it effects your body We usually eat our largest meal toward the end of the day. So, chrononutrition researchers are trying to understand whether it's better to eat earlier in the day or later at night. In one study , a group of scientists followed 420 people on a 20-week weight-loss plan. The researchers split the groups into those who ate their main meal earlier and those who ate it later. They found that participants who ate their main meal earlier in the day lost more weight than the late eaters, even though both groups consumed similar amounts of food. Blood Sugar Levels When your body breaks down a meal, sugars enter your blood as glucose. Your body responds to this rise in blood sugar by releasing insulin. Scientists have shown that our body’s ability to control blood sugar varies across the day. On average, blood glucose responses appear to be better in the morning than in the afternoon . Fat Like glucose levels, after eating, levels of fat in the blood rise. However, they rise and fall much slower than blood glucose, taking hours to return to normal. Evidence suggests that our blood fat levels also change throughout the day. For instance, a study on healthy men found that their blood fat levels were higher after lunch than after breakfast — even though the two meals were identical. Avoid Late-Night Meals Avoiding late-night meals is an important part of chrononutrition. The body has a hormonal response any time you eat anything. If you eat late at night, when you're not using much energy, you'll increase your hunger and appetite. What’s more, late-night eating is linked to impaired metabolic function. In the evening, blood glucose levels are high and since you're not moving around as much, it stays that way. By eating during the day time, you can lower nighttime blood sugar levels. How to Get Your Eating Schedule on Track It can be hard to avoid a late-night meal, but if you're snacking before bed or eating late, it will impact your health. Luckily, it's easy to get yourself back on track. First things first, you should be practicing a healthy sleep cycle and try to go to bed at the same time everyday, since your eating habits often revolve around that. Try to make a schedule for mealtimes and stick to it. Try to eat breakfast later in the morning and have dinner earlier, if possible. If you sleep from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., have breakfast an hour after waking—sometime between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.. If you have to eat later than usual, try to make it healthy. High carbohydrate and fatty foods are not ideal for late-night meals so try to go for protein if you can. Conclusion The time of day that you eat has an impact on your health, but as long as you maintain a strict meal schedule and avoid eating at night you should be fine. If you do need to eat later than usual, try to make sure it's a healthy snack. It doesn't take a lot of work, just perseverance to stick to your schedule. By maintaining a consistent meal routine and making healthier choices, you'll be setting yourself up for better health and well-being. Keep at it, and your body will thank you!
Two jugs of Natural Cleansing Laundry Detergent with the text
By Jonathan Tessier January 28, 2025
Why Choose Natural?
An Assortment of Red Velvet Cookies on a table with a gray stripped towel behind them
By April Allen January 21, 2025
Whether for treating yourself or baking for others, these delicious cookies are the way to go!
More Posts
Share by: