I was once a badge-sporting Girl Scout. I went door to door with a loaded wagon full of Girl Scout Cookie boxes. Lucky to be the only Scout on the block, I supplied the whole neighborhood with sinfully delicious cookies.
Of course, I saved some for myself. My mom would stuff our freezer full of cookie boxes to get us through a few months, and I always hid a box of Thin Mints behind the frozen vegetables—I saved the best for last! (There’s nothing better than a chilled Thin Mint cookie, don’t you agree?)
It was a sad day when that last cookie was gone, but nowadays, it’s not so sad, since I’ve got the most perfect copycat recipe around! It tastes exactly like an original Thin Mint, and the recipe couldn’t be easier to follow. Crunchy, minty, chocolatey—everything I love about a Thin Mint made right at home. If you’re like me, you’ll want to make a double batch to freeze.
But first…
Tips for Baking Amazing Cookies:
· For chewy cookies, cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
· For crispier cookies, cool for one minute on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
· Chilled dough is easier to handle and prevents spreading when baking.
· That goes for baking sheets, too. Don’t plop cookie dough on warm baking sheets, as the dough will spread out and melt. Use two baking sheets and rotate between bakes, or let one sheet cool down before making another batch of cookies.
· Bake cookies on shiny, heavy, good-quality aluminum baking sheets. The ones with no sides are designed for easily sliding cookies onto a cooling rack. Dark baking sheets absorb heat, causing cookies to brown more on the bottom.
· Insulated baking sheets require a longer baking time and produce a softer cookie with less browning on the bottom. If you want a crispier cookie, don’t use insulated bakeware.
· For even browning, bake one cookie sheet at a time- don’t overload your oven!
· Use parchment paper to prevent sticking (instead of greasing the pan) to prevent spreading and browned edges.
· Use room temperature butter and eggs for better cookie volume.
Tips for Freezing Cookies:
· After baking, cool cookies completely. Place cookies on a baking sheet, no cookie touching the one next to it, and freeze until solid. They can be separated in layers with parchment paper or waxed paper.
· Place the frozen cookies in airtight containers or freezer bags.
· Store iced or decorated cookies in layers with parchment paper or waxed paper.
· To thaw frozen cookies, simply take them out of the containers and let sit at room temperature until thawed.
· If you want cookies that mimic “fresh out of the oven”, place them in a 275°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
And now, what you’ve been waiting for.
Girl Scout Copycat Thin Mints
A perfect replica of the classic Girl Scout Cookie favorite! 5-ingredient chocolate shortbread is cooked until crispy, then coated with a mint-chocolate layer, making a perfect two-bite treat that tastes JUST like the original!
Yield: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3 tbsp. coconut oil
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, butter, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract. Mix until a soft dough forms. Roll dough between two pieces of parchment paper until 1/4″ thick. Cut into 24 rounds with a 2-3″ cookie cutter. Place cutout rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven and cool completely.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until melted and smooth.
Dip cooled cookies into melted chocolate. Place on parchment and refrigerate until chocolate is firm. For best results, store in fridge until ready to enjoy.
But wait! Whether you’re craving a Girl Scout cookie out of season or you just prefer them homemade, we’ve got some more amazing copycat recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Look below to find your favorite Girl Scout cookie, and you’ll find a homemade recipe to match.
Tagalongs
Peanut butter, chocolate, and shortbread come together in one amazing cookie. If you’re a Tagalong fan, you’ll want to try this incredible homemade Tagalong, which is easy to make and totally delish!
Samoas
Craving caramel and coconut that’s been dunked and drizzled in chocolate? You’re a true Samoas lover, and we’ve got the cookie for you. These homemade Samoas go way beyond the boxed version, letting you control the ratio of your favorite flavors. Go big with caramel, top with just the right amount of coconut, and give yourself an extra dose of chocolate if you please!
Do-si-dohs
This homemade Do-si-doh recipe one-ups the Girls Scout version—you’ll get softer cookies with incredibly creamy centers when you go homemade. The best part? Customize the amount of filling in the center to your liking! As far as I’m concerned, the more filling the better!
Trefoils
If you love dunking Trefoil cookies in a cup of steaming tea, you’re not alone. I find this habit to be pretty addictive. If you run out, never fear! This homemade Trefoil recipe makes a tasty stack of cookies to keep you happily dunking throughout the year.
Lemonades
If you fancy a cookie with a citrus burst, these homemade Lemonades give you just that. Two lemon cookies with a layer of creamy lemon filling sandwiched in between—it’s a triple dose of lemon! This recipe calls for gluten-free flour, but you can sub in the same amount of regular flour and still call it good!
S’mores
The Girls Scouts can’t always provide a campfire, so they’ve recreated a s’more cookie box-style. This non-campfire homemade S’mores recipe is made with sweet honey marshmallows and dark chocolate, layered between two beurre biscuits. They’re irresistible!
Trios
The Girls Scouts make a Trios cookie that’s gluten-free and perfect for those with special dietary needs. This homemade Trios Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is also free of gluten, but you’ll get that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste that boxed cookies just don’t have. Who can resist a gooey, still-warm chocolate chip cookie? Not me!
Savannah Smiles
Coated in lemony powdered sugar, these homemade lemon cooler Cookies are ripe with delicate lemon flavor from the inside out. Even better than you remember, this homemade Savannah Smiles recipe produces soft, fresh cookies that you’ll want to eat by the dozen.
Chocolate Dipped S’mores
The Girl Scouts make an incredibly scrumptious chocolate-dipped s’mores cookie with crispy grahams and creamy icing. This homemade S’mores Sandwich Cookie recipe uses marshmallow frosting (yes, there is such a thing!) sandwiched between graham crackers then dipped in melty chocolate. No need for a campfire to get your s’more fix!
Toffee-tastic
Another tasty gluten-free option, the Toffee-tastic is a rich, buttery cookie with crunchy toffee bits. Make your own at home with this Gluten-free homemade Toffee-tastic Oatmeal Toffee Cookie recipe. Nothing beats the melty toffee chips fresh from the oven!
What’s your favorite Girl Scout cookie flavor? Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-si-dohs, Trefoils? Let us know!
