Girl Scout Cookies 100 years Strong!

The Girls Scouts Cookies have been a must-have in my family home for as long as I remember. I recall my mother placing the order and our mouths salivating at the thought of their delivery a couple weeks later.

It’s hard to believe that Girl Scouts have been selling these delicious cookies for 100 years! It all began in school cafeterias around the country, eventually being sold door to door. The cookie sales generate millions of dollars for the Girl Scout troops. They sold nearly 200 million boxes last year alone.

The original cookie was a sugar cookie. A recipe was offered and the girls were to go home and make with their mother. The cookie was then packaged in wax paper bags, sealed with a sticker, and sold door to door for 25 to 35 cents per dozen. The sales profit was to aid in the funding of group activities.

Girl Scouts cookie sales were hit hard during World War II. Shortage of flour, butter and sugar made it nearly impossible to make the sweet sensations. The scouts opted for calenders instead. Truley learning the lesson of marketing.

In the early 1950’s, Girl Scout Cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By the late 50’s the vanilla filled cookie was introduced.

According to GirlScouts.org the biggest sellers are:

• 25% Thin Mints^®
• 19% Samoas^®/Caramel deLites^®
• 13% Peanut Butter Patties^®/Tagalongs^®
• 11% Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do-si-dos^®
• 9% Shortbread/Trefoils^®

The other varieties combined account for the remaining 23%.

Yes, the cookies taste awesome alone. But if your looking to make a dessert including the great taste of the cookie, then I urge you to try this recipe.

What You Need

1 1/2 boxes (24 cookies) Girl Scout Peanut Butter Patties
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2/3 cup salted peanuts, finely chopped

1. Place the cookies in a blender or processor
2. Mix crumbs and butter until blended
3. Make 1" balls out of mixture
4. Place peanuts in seperate bowl
5. Roll balls in peanuts until covered
6. Store in refridgerator until ready to eat

This recipe is easy and delicious.

Who would've ever thought that the cookies we all love so much also can give you a tax break? Well, there is a catch. You cannot actually eat them. If you purchase cookies and leave them with the scout as a donation, then yes, you can claim it. Also, if you buy boxes and donate them to a food pantry or community service project, then your able to claim it. But by all means, if you buy them and eat them you are not eligible to claim them.

The "Girl Scout Cookie Locator" app has been launched in the iTunes App Store as well as the Android Market. This is a free app. So if you are in a chaotic craving for a Thin Mint the app will use a phone's GPS system to identify the nearest Girl Scout cookie booth. Tada! Cookie craving dissolved!