Girl Scout Cookies

On Friday afternoon, as I was strolling around town, I noticed the first real signs of Spring: Girl Scout Cookies! So unless you've already ordered yours, you've got 13 days to get your hands on this year's offerings. From now until Mar. 16, you'll be able to find Girl Scouts on nearly every major street corner and grocery store parking lot. Some troops are on a different schedule, but you can find a troop near you and indulge!

Personally, I've got a thing for the Samoas, I love the toasted coconut, caramel, and chocolate. Although I wouldn't turn down a Thin Mint or a Tagalong (peanut butter and chocolate) either. And I always end up buying at least one box (they should be $3.50 a box).

So tell me, do you end up buying Girl Scout Cookies? Or do you think they're overrated?

Source

If you ordered too many boxes of Girl Scout cookies, then use them to make a tart. This Girl Scout samoa cheese tart uses the cookies and (my fav) dulce de leche. It looks to die for! — Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy

• From simple to sophisticated, here are a load of super sweet Valentine's Day treats. — Hostess with the Mostess



• S'mores shouldn't be restricted to summer months, and now you can make your own Whole Wheat S'more Cookies. — Serious Eats
• Williams-Sonoma has updated their website to include tips like how to cook for a crowd. — Williams-Sonoma
• Grab a healthy lunch idea with Chickpea, Tomato and Feta Salad. — FitSugar
• Both Thomas Keller and Michael Chiarello's new restaurants were on the agenda at the last Yountville Town Council meeting. — SF Eater
• Need some help in the kitchen? Here are 10 pieces of equipment to help you out. — iVillage
• What exactly is Dutch Process Chocolate? — The Kitchn
• Is there a difference between brown and white eggs? — Chow
• Can't wait for Girl Scout season? Try making your own homemade Samoas. — Baking Bites

Those of you who love Girl Scout Cookies will be happy to know that many of your local Girl Scout troops are taking pre-orders now. The cookies are traditionally sold in early March, but for those of you that can't wait, I spied the seasonal Dryer's/Edy's Girl Scout cookie ice creams at my local Safeway. For a few months only, the ice cream giant produces three flavors of ice cream infused with Girl Scout cookies. My personal favorite is the Samoas, which is Samoas cookies in Caramel Ice Cream with Fudge. However there's also Thin Mint — Thin Mint Cookies in Chocolate Mint Ice Cream — and Tagalongs — Peanut Butter Patties combined with vanilla ice cream and swirls of peanut butter and fudge.

Actually now that I've listed them out, I can't decide! How about you, which flavor do you want to try, and do you think they'll curb your Girl Scout Cookie cravings?

Last year we saw Girl Scout Cookies go trans-fat free and this year they're taking a step even further to sell to us calorie-conscious folks. Meet Cinna-Spins 100-Calorie Packs. Yes that is right, like many major brands, the Girl Scouts of America are trying to lure us to buy more cookies (as if we needed convincing). Not all Scouts will be selling them though, so the next time they come knocking at your door be sure to ask if they're available. One box contains five 100-calorie packs of 15 small crispy cinnamon cookies.

I have yet to see any Girl Scouts around town, but when I do I'll try them out. If any of you have already purchased Cinna-Spins from the Girl Scouts, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

To see the nutritional information on the Cinna-Spins 100-Calorie Packs just read more

Where did they find this demon child to sell Girl Scout Cookies? Having said that, I'll have some Thin Mints, please. Yeah, five boxes.