Girl Scout Cookies: A History :)

 We all have our favorite type of Girl Scout Cookie! From Thin Mints to Tagalongs, Girl Scout cookie sales have been a memorable part of the Girl Scout experience. Not only are they tasty-but they teach girls valuable lessons about handling money and sales.

But how did this tradition of raising GS Troop funds through cookie sales start??

Girl Scout Cookie Sales date back as early as 1917, just a few years after the organization was founded. Girls and mothers would bake dozens of cookies in their own kitchens, selling them door to door for 25-35 cents a dozen. Back then there were no fancy computer-printed boxes like the ones that exist today-cookies were wrapped in wax paper and sealed with stickers.

In July of 1922, a standard GS cookie recipe was published in a Girl Scout Magazine by Florence E. Neil:

An Early Girl Scout Cookie^® Recipe

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar plus additional amount for topping (optional)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
Cream butter and the cup of sugar; add well-beaten eggs, then milk, vanilla, flour, salt, and baking powder. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Roll dough, cut into trefoil shapes, and sprinkle sugar on top, if desired. Bake in a quick oven (375°) for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Makes six- to seven-dozen cookies.


http://discussions.mnhs.org/collections/2012/03/its-girl-scout-cookie-time/


http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_history/early_years.asp


https://www.girlscoutsaz.org/news/article/the_girl_scouts_cookie_sale_how_it_all_began

Other interesting cookie facts from the GSA website:

• In 1934, Greater Philadelphia became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.
• In 1936, the national Girl Scout organization began the process to license the first commercial baker to produce cookies that would be sold by girls in Girl Scout councils.
• In 1951, Girl Scout Cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints (now known as Thin Mints).
• By 1956, Girl Scouts sold four basic types of cookies: a vanilla-based filled cookie, a chocolate-based filled one, shortbread, and a chocolate mint. Some bakers also offered an optional flavor.
• In 1960, licensed bakers first began wrapping Girl Scout Cookie boxes in printed aluminum foil or cellophane to protect the cookies and preserve their freshness.
• By 1966, a number of varieties were available. Among the best sellers were Chocolate Mint, Shortbread, and Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies
• In 1979, the new contemporary Girl Scout logo appeared on cookie boxes. Cookie packaging became more creative and began to promote the benefits of Girl Scouting.
• All GSA cookies are kosher

For more info: http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_history/today.asp