It's January, the month for fresh starts, healthy eating and Girl Scout Cookies. Yes, that's right, sometime this month (start dates vary according to region), little girls in patch-laden sashes and perky uniforms will be knocking on doors and setting up tables, all in effort to raise funds via cookie sales.
However, in recent years critics have called into question the Girl Scout Cookie, because they of their negative health effects (particularly since they've historically contained trans-fats). There's even talk of doing away with the Girl Scout Cookie as a fundraiser altogether. However, for those of you who love your Thin Mints or Do-Si-Dos, take heart. There's another way to get your fix - make them yourself!*
Over the years, Nicole at Baking Bites has developed a series of cookie recipes that allow you to make all your favorites at home. This way, you can get your favorite flavors without all the questionable additives. In addition to the cookies mentioned above, she's also got recipes for Samoas and Tagalongs.
*If you'd normally buy a box or two from your local scout, consider giving a donation to make up for the lost cookie revenue.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-08-2009 @ 11:50AM
Monika said...
Marisa, you have made my year! I've been sorely missing these cookies since moving north of the 49th parallel. The scout cookies up here just aren't the same.
Thin Mints will be in my life once again!
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1-08-2009 @ 11:50AM
Marisa McClellan said...
Oh hurray! I'm so happy to have helped!
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1-08-2009 @ 12:19PM
Adam said...
Actually I just ordered some, and they're all advertised as having 0g trans-fats now...not to begrudge those who'd rather make their own, but it looks like you can go with the real deal.
http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/faqs.asp#hydrogenated
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1-08-2009 @ 6:36PM
Cheryl said...
Sadly no Lemon Coolers. I quit buying Girl Scout cookies when they discontinued these.
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1-08-2009 @ 7:01PM
P. Gardiner said...
Girl Scout cookies have been trans-fat free for 3-4 years. Also, there is no serious talk about getting rid of cookies. The only "talk" I've heard about it is here on Slashfood.
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1-09-2009 @ 7:25PM
marianne whitaker said...
I have heard of special interest groups trying to pressure the girls into not selling cookies anymore. Shame on them! The girls rely on this money for their year-end trip and they enjoy selling them! The girl scouts are known for their cookies and people LIKE the cookies! If they aren't sold by the girls anymore, you can still buy junk food in the grocery store! So leave the girls alone!
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3-01-2009 @ 9:40PM
Ronda said...
Federal regulations allow food labels to say there's zero grams of trans fat as long as there's less than half a gram per serving. And many packages contain more than what's considered one serving."The problem is that often people eat a lot more than one serving," said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Harvard School of Public Health. "In fact, many people eat two to three servings at a time." I think each cookie has half a gram which adds up when they consider 2 grams a day your limit
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