Looking for st patrick's day cupcakes with a little something extra? Think rainbow frosting, tiny clovers and little pots of gold.
These ideas give you plenty to choose from, whether you love a simple swirl or want to go all out with the decorations.
I especially love the green-and-white combinations. There’s also a large clover-shaped design to borrow inspiration from if you want something different for your cupcake display.
Cupcake Decorating Ideas for St Patrick's Day
two-tone green swirls
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous green swirls. I love the bright lime streak running through the darker green frosting.
The wide rosettes cover most of the decorated cupcakes, with a few dark cupcakes still waiting for frosting.
Read also: 20 New Years Cupcakes and Party Treat Ideas With Plenty of Sparkle
If you want to follow this look, keep both shades of green in your frosting rather than choosing just one.
rainbow frosting and gold coins
How cute is this rainbow frosting? The colored stripes wind through the white swirls, with gold-colored coins tucked into several of them.
Try pale green patterned liners like these to finish the look. There’s already plenty of color up top!
clovers and sprinkle borders
I am obsessed with these little green clovers. They sit in the middle of smooth white frosting, surrounded by green-and-white sprinkle borders.
Keep the centers clear if you’re trying this design. That little bit of space around each clover is so pretty.
pale green and lucky toppers
If you are looking for something simple to decorate, this one is for you. Pale green frosting, brown sprinkles and clover picks give these dark cupcakes their festive look.
You could mix clover picks with little word toppers like the ones here instead of making every cupcake identical.
a little leprechaun
OMG, how adorable is this leprechaun topper? The orange beard and oversized green hat are my favorite parts.
He sits behind a black pot with little yellow coins scattered in front.
This is a much more detailed decorating idea. I’d save the picture as a reference for a centerpiece cupcake rather than try to squeeze this many details onto every one.
mini chip borders
Don’t want to add rainbows or character toppers? No problem! Try this pale green frosting with mini chocolate chips all around the sides.
I love how the tops are left flat and plain. Keep that smooth finish if you want the same look.
little pots of gold
There’s so much to love here, from the bright green swirls to the little gold-colored coins spilling out of dark pots. The short rainbow candy strips are such a cute extra touch.
Read also: 20 St Patrick's Day Cake Ideas With Rainbows, Shamrocks and Gold
Choose green liners if you want to follow this combination all the way down to the base.
ivory frosting and green sprinkles
This cupcake keeps the decorating nice and simple. A tall ivory-colored swirl sits over a dark cake, with green sprinkles scattered across the frosting.
Read also: 19 Hot Chocolate Cupcakes and Decorating Ideas to Save
The drinks in the background don’t tell us what’s in the cupcake. You can borrow this decorating idea for your own favorite recipe without assuming an alcohol flavor.
white swirls and a shiny liner
I love this white frosting with the tiny green-and-white round sprinkles. The dark green cake and shiny green liner make it feel festive without a big topper.
If you want just one little finishing detail, keep the sprinkles clustered near the top like this.
colorful marshmallow shapes
How sweet is this? Little colorful marshmallow shapes sit across a white frosting swirl, including a rainbow near the back.
The pale cupcake and plain liner let those tiny decorations stand out. Try a light scattering of green sprinkles to bring the colors together.
blue skies and candy rainbows
Who says the frosting has to be green? These cupcakes have bright blue tops with rainbow candy arches and little white frosting clouds.
I especially love the turquoise and lime liners together. You could use both colors on your tray for the same playful mix.
pistachio-topped swirls
If you’re looking for something a little more understated, go with this pretty combination. Chopped pistachio pieces top pale frosting swirls, with green-speckled cake showing underneath.
The plain white liners are lovely here. You don’t need clover picks on every cupcake to include a little green.
green swirls and cream flowers
This floral design may just be my favorite one so far. I love the little cream-colored flowers against the muted green frosting.
Place your flower decorations at different spots around each swirl rather than lining them up. The scattered arrangement here is so pretty.
bright green cake
Let the cake bring the color with this green-and-white idea. The bright green tops show beneath tall ivory frosting swirls, with just a few green-and-white sprinkles.
Match the liners to the cake if you want to keep this same all-green base.
deep green and white gift box
I am obsessed with this little boxed assortment. Some cupcakes have deep green and white rosettes, while others have ruffled frosting, clover toppers and gold-colored coins.
You don’t have to decorate every cupcake the same way. Pick two frosting colors, then switch between swirls and ruffles for a similar mixed box.
rainbows and marshmallow clouds
Here is another rainbow idea, but this time there are big white marshmallows beneath the arches. The little piped frosting stars are adorable too.
I’d keep the shiny green liners if you’re recreating this look. They add plenty of green without changing the white frosting.
clover-print decorations
Don’t want to go overboard with the toppings? This white rosette with green-and-white sprinkles is a lovely place to start.
A short clover-print straw decoration sits at an angle in the frosting. If you use a non-edible decoration like this, remove it before eating.
a giant green clover
Want to take the clover theme a little further? This picture shows one large frosted clover design rather than clearly visible individual cupcakes.
I love the green outline around the leaves and the curved stem.
For a cupcake version, you could arrange individually frosted green cupcakes into a clover shape. That would borrow the idea without needing to copy this large cake-style finish.
rosettes ribbons and little stars
If you are looking for lots of piping inspo, then this one is for you. There are white rosettes, bright green frosting ribbons and tiny stars in different shades of green.
The little gold-colored and green pearls are so cute tucked between them. Try mixing a large swirl with smaller piped details instead of covering each cupcake with one shape.
tiny clovers on white frosting
Last but definitely not least, we have these sweet clover-covered cupcakes. I love the little green decorations scattered over the rounded white frosting.
The green liners and sugar sprinkles tie everything together. Keep the clovers small if you want room for several on each cupcake.