Girl Scout Cookie Time

by Two Chums on February 26, 2019

It’s that special time of the year when at the market, the hardware store, in front yards and family gatherings you find stands with young girls selling those beloved Girl Scout Cookies. For as long as most of us can remember, Girl Scouts have been selling cookies. But did you know how this fund raising opportunity got started? We recently read a magazine article that gave the history behind the making and selling of the cookies. This practice of selling cookies began back in 1917 as a way to raise money for troop activities. In 1922, a simple sugar cookie recipe published in the American Girl magazine became the standard for Girl Scouts making and selling cookies to neighbors and friends. By 1934 the sales were so brisk and demand so great it became necessary to have the cookies commercially baked. There were 3 flavors for many years, shortbread, chocolate mint, and peanut butter. And over time more and flavors were added until today there are 12 varieties in all, including a gluten free cookie.

The Girls Scouts were started by a woman called Juliette Gordon Lowe. Her purpose and vision in starting the Scouts was to empower young girls. Girls do a lot of things now they would never have been allowed to do back then. As the saying goes, “We’ve come a long way baby!” We think Juliette would be proud.

If you know a Girl Scout, support the troop and offer to buy some cookies from her. If you don’t, support the girls in your community by buying at least 1 box of cookies. And when the selling season is over, if you get a hankering for these cookies, just make some using this original recipe. Enjoy!

Original Girl Scout Sugar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour*

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat butter and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then add milk and vanilla. Stir in salt and baking powder and flour until well combined, then chill for 1 hour.

Roll dough out on a floured surface and then cut into desired shape. Place on a prepared baking sheet an inch apart and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.

Trefoil is the shape of the Girls Scout tradition. You can buy a trefoil shaped cookie cutter from Walmart.com