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Revamped Girl Scout Cookies: Vegan Peanut Butter Patties

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:02:06 PST

Forget about the partially hydrogenated palm oil and artificial flavors - this vegan peanut butter patty, inspired by the Girl Scout Tagalong classic, has all the buttery, peanut buttery, and chocolatey goodness of the original, minus the animal products and unpronounceable ingredients.

This recipe is definitely involved, but it's a fun way to test your baking skills and make something you are truly proud of. Think of it this way - Girl Scout cookies only come out once a year, so make this your special annual treat.

While it's not necessary to temper the chocolate, you'll see that it gives the cookies a sheen and snap that's attractive and delicious. Untempered chocolate will "bloom," meaning the fat of the cocoa will rise to the top, creating a white, dull appearance (like the cookie on the left). If this happens to you, don't worry! The cookies are still edible, so savor the efforts of your hard work.

Click here to see the recipe.

Revamped Girl Scout Cookies: Vegan Thin Mints

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:53:33 PST

Erin McKenna’s vegan Thin Mints from Babycakes Covers the Classics ($16) are jaw-dropping crowd pleasers. The mint chocolate coating snaps with each bite to reveal a thin, flaky chocolate cookie. This version is definitely reminiscent of its original inspiration. Try the recipe at home and startle your friends and neighbors with how authentic this version tastes!

Click here to check out the recipe.

If You're Craving Girl Scout Cookies, Try These Instead

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:50 PST

It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Noshing on these fund-raising treats seems like an American pastime, but it can be challenging to keep a snack session of these seasonal sweets in check. If you can enjoy your cookies in a reasonable manner, then good for you! But if you're looking for a way to scratch that sugary itch without killing your healthy eating agenda, here are some healthier alternatives.

Do-Si-Dos
Two-cookie serving: 120 calories, five grams of fat, seven grams of sugar

Quick Fix: The Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie is a perfect substitute since it's so filling - I usually only eat half of a bar at a time. One bar contains 220 calories, seven grams of protein, and four grams of fiber. Made out of dried dates, one bar equals one half serving of fruit. There are 18 grams of sugar in this bar, but the sugar content is not added; it naturally occurs in the dates. The other two ingredients in this bar are peanuts and salt.

DIY Fix: Make your own tasty peanut butter treat! Blend a little peanut butter, apple sauce, and raisins for a sweet, satisfying, and nutritious homemade spread. Two tablespoons of this peanut butter raisin spread offers almost five grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Don't see your fave cookie? Keep on reading!

The Best and Worst Girl Scout Cookies

Shape — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:33:58 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to certified trainer, fitness blogger, and wellness coach Jennipher Walters for some help!

While it's hard to call Girl Scout Cookies health food exactly, some varieties are certainly easier on your waistline than others. In order to help you decide which boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to order this year (because, honestly, it's hard to say "no" to those little girls!), here's a list of the best and the worst Girl Scout Cookies when it comes to serving size, calories, and fat. Obviously, not ordering or eating Girl Scout Cookies is the best way to avoid overindulging, but hopefully this information comes in handy in case you do have a craving or a box arrives on your doorstep!

Keep reading to see which Girl Scout Cookies are the best and worst after the break!

Download of the Day: Girl Scout Cookie Locator

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:29:49 PST

Amidst the healthy goals of the New Year, there's one annual food tradition lurking in the background that you can't help but fanatically pine for - Girl Scout Cookie time! While the Girl Scouts themselves say, cookies can go on sale anywhere between January and April, there's a new way to take the guesswork out of this yearly treat. The free iOS Girl Scout Cookie Locator app searches your neighborhood for cookie sales.

The app lets you set reminders to purchase the cookies (like you'd forget), use GPS to find nearby cookies, and even take a quiz to see what draws you to the coconut flavor of the Samoas. Be sure to also check out the in-app recipes for a new edible take on the Girl Scout Cookie experience.

Girl Scout Cookie Nutritional Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:51:22 PST

It's that time of the year again. They're posted on nearly every street corner, and with more stands than there are Starbucks, these sweet temptations are unavoidable. Yes, I'm talking about Girl Scout Cookie season.

Whether you have a sweet spot for chewy Samoas or chocolaty Thin Mints call your name, be aware of the choices you make with this nutritional breakdown, and practice moderation when it comes to these once-a-year treats.

Continue reading to find out the calories in your favorite Girl Scout Cookies.

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Homemade Thin Mints

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:26:59 PST

We are so excited to kick off our fourth annual 12 Days of Edible Gifts series, where we'll share delicious ideas for holiday gift giving. Stay tuned over the next 12 days for lots of tasty recipes and pretty packaging!

What's the second most wonderful time of the year? I'd argue that it has to be Girl Scout cookie season. This year, gift your friends with homemade Girl Scout cookies. Thin Mints were always one of my favorites from the Girl Scout cookie collection. This recipe for homemade Thin Mints is a tasty take on the packaged cookie version, and the best part is that they are a cinch to whip up! Package them in a mason jar with pretty, wintry details, or in a cellophane bag, tied with a big bow. Find the recipe when you keep reading!

What's Your Favorite Kind of Girl Scout Cookie?

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:30:36 PDT

Apparently, today is National Girl Scout Cookie Day, and I figure there's no time like the present to get something off my chest. I don't like Girl Scout cookies. There, I said it! They're just processed packaged cookies, and I've never really seen the appeal. That being said, if I had to pick a favorite, I would go with Thin Mints. I've always wanted to try making them from scratch. How about you? What's your preferred Girl Scout cookie? Samoas? Tagalongs? Do-Si-Dos?

Source: Flickr User amylovesyah

Yummy Links: From the World's Drunkest Countries to Soaring Craft Beer

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:55:22 PST

Check out this map of the world's drunkest countries. - Gawker
Girl Scout cookies: are they killing orangutans? - Grist
The easiest way to peel pearl onions. - Serious Eats
Best recipes from James Beard Awards semifinalists. - Saveur
Zero-proof cocktails are so hot right now. - New York Times
Gulf oysters appear to be staging a comeback at New Orleans restaurants. - Eatocracy
Chef Santi Santamaria's sudden death sends shock waves through Spain. - Eater
The craft beer industry actually grew amidst the recession. - Grub Street PHI

Source

Girl Scout Cookies Slim Down For 2011

Susannah Chen — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:10:02 PST

With declining sales, counterfeit currency issues, and a slew of knockoffs, Girl Scout cookies have taken a hit in recent years. So in hopes of cutting costs and generating more revenue, an increasing number of Girl Scout councils across the country are trimming their offerings.

The top five cookie varieties compose 77 percent of Girl Scout cookie sales; the test program, known as the Super Six pilot, will take advantage of that, with a pared-down lineup of peanut butter Do-Si-Dos, shortbread Trefoils, caramel coconut Samoas, citrusy Lemon Chalet Cremes, patty-like Tagalongs, and, of course, Thin Mints. What it won't include? Dulce de Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, All Abouts, or the Thanks-A-Lot fudge-dipped shortbread cookie, a new goodie proffered by licensed supplier ABC Bakers. Councils partaking in the trial hope the move will streamline sales, speed up delivery, and ultimately increase profits.

Also, for the first time ever, individual scouts will also be allowed to advertise online. I'm betting a box of Thin Mints that the new program will do well. After all, who buys those other novelty flavors? Do you agree, or are you bummed that there'll be less to choose from?

Source: Flickr User Stephen Cummings