Thanks, I love knock-off recipes and the challenge to substitute healthier ingredients. I've never been that crazy about GS cookies but the lemon coolers look interesting; might give those a try. - 3/25/2013   1:36:29 AM

It took my daughter four weeks to sell the 200+ boxes of cookies I had sitting in the house, and I didn't eat one that whole time. My choice -- abstinence works better for me. We sold the cookies to a bunch of thin people, most of whom bought one box each. Looks like moderation works for them. - 3/8/2013   9:34:47 PM

OMG People please! I have made my own "thin mints" for years, I can hardly afford the price of GS Cookies and when I REALLY want them is not generally when they are for sale. With six of us I find improvision a necessity. That said, my family is not on any special diets. I am diabetic and have to watch how much I eat of anything, its all bout SELF CONTROL! Whether you purchase, donate or make your own that is what it comes down to. Nothing inappropriate about this post, the recipies nor the opinions of our fellow sparks...whatever cookies you choose (if any) enjoy them and enjoy life, we have too many other things to gripe about and food is to be enjoyed within reason. Power to the sparks! :) - 3/7/2013   9:31:04 PM

Where are the counts for calories, etc? Or do I want to know? lol! - 3/7/2013   12:50:13 PM

Was a GS leader and involved for about 20 years. Cookies are a legend. One box of samoas are going to make you obese?????Oh please....Or do like one lady did---Don t buy but give a donation!!!!! - 3/6/2013   5:19:42 PM

I just came to this article so I could LOL at the comments! - 3/5/2013   7:21:17 PM

First, as a long time former Girl Scout, (up to age 31!!) I fully suport the Girl Scout organization. We buy cookies and my husband and son eat most of them. I am learning to eat in moderation. Second, maybe SparkPeople should have lessons on reading food lables. After looking at these recipes, you are better off eating the Girl Scout versions!! Sure, there are no preservatives in the homemade versions, but there are more calories, fat and salt! Sorry SP, i am going with the box this time!! - 3/5/2013   5:07:10 PM

Yum! - 3/5/2013   3:41:03 PM

As a mother of a Girl Scout Cadette and troop leader/advisor, my house is filled with Girl Scout cookies right now. It used to be that I will eat an entire box of Samoas without much thought just a cup of coffee or cold milk. Today I can say I eat them, along with every type of food, within moderation. I am so looking forward to my first bite in 2013 of a Girl Scout cookie (gave them up for Lent). - 3/5/2013   12:27:04 PM

I always buy girl scout cookies. I support the girl scouts and buy American. My son, who is in the service, loves the chocolate covered peanut butter cookies. I have sent them to Afghanistan on several occasions and this year will be sending them to Bahrain. It is such a wonderful treat for him, totally American, and he really appreciates this gift from home. - 3/5/2013   7:30:22 AM

I support Girl Scouts, both as a former Scout and the mother of a Brownie. But I so wish that GS didn't push sugar to raise money. And I wish that SP would stop running blogs and recipes promoting sugar consumption.
Sugar is a toxic drug and we are all addicted. I tried to post a link to an article here, but SP won't let me. Send me a Sparkmail if you want to learn more.
- 3/4/2013   8:01:26 PM

I was under the mistaken impression that Sparkpeople was a site about fitness and healthy eating and was supposed to be a support system for people struggling with weight issues. Of course, that means this site has many, many members who are struggling with food addictions of various degrees, some quite severe. Granted not all Sparkpeople have such a problem, and if you are among the fortunate ones, then thank God for such a blessing. However, those who do struggle are our brothers and sisters who are laden with the hardest row to hoe and are most in need of Sparklers' compassion and support. Maybe those who think this article is OK, and don't understand or care about those who must struggle the hardest, need to grow a heart and try offering some support to those with the most difficult addictions and weight problems, instead of finding it funny to tease and tempt the hurting. Whatever benefits Ms. Romine is gaining out of posting this blog, is it worth the cost of shoving even one of these, the most vulnerable and hurting of Spark Members, off the wagon? For those who think I need to lighten up, I assure you food addiction and morbid obesity are not "light" problems--they are life and death issues for the precious people who suffer and their loved ones. - 3/4/2013   1:11:10 PM

I need these now. - 3/4/2013   12:42:18 PM

I don't buy Girl Scout Cookies because I don't need to gain the weight from eating cookies. So when I passed the Girl Scout table I whipped out a five dollar bill and said, "Here's a donation to the Girl Scouts! We're busy losing weight, so no cookies for us!" - 3/3/2013   7:43:10 PM

Oh c'mon people! This blog is not inappropriate. Sparkpeople doesn't teach abstinence. Sparkpeople is all about moderation. - 3/3/2013   11:05:26 AM

I'm inclined to agree with the folks who say inappropriate. I'm sure there must be plenty of Girl Scout cookie recipes on other sites for those who must have them. "Decadent recipes that use Girl Scout cookies"? SparkPeople, this one doesn't belong here. - 3/3/2013   7:38:17 AM

I'm to frugal to waste money on GS cookies. Walked by the table today going into the grocery store. - 3/3/2013   6:31:22 AM

I saw the Girls Scouts at Walmart today selling cookies, so it's funny to me that I came across this article. I was SOOO tempted, but I am committed to eating very well (at least for the next 2 weeks). - 3/2/2013   11:26:06 PM

Coach Stephanie- WELCOME to rural NC- I live in Jacksonville, NC and will be trying out the recipes since I try to avoid buying the cookies but the family has a sweet tooth so it being a healthier version will make up for the snacking.
My favs were : Samoas and Tagalongs - 3/2/2013   9:09:30 PM

I love Girl Scout Cookies but I need to leave them alone. This article only makes me want them even more. - 3/2/2013   3:38:39 PM

No matter how carefully you word it, I think this blog is inappropriate for Sparkpeople, which is supposed to be about healthy lifestyles. Really how different is sugar and food addiction from alcohol addiction? Can you imagine articles about wine and beer home-brewing on an AA website? What about about how to build a still in your backyard? How about if the Betty Ford Center posts an article on how to build your own home meth lab? Absurd? No more so than an article about how to bake totally unhealthy cookies on Sparkpeople. - 3/2/2013   9:43:06 AM

I always liked the trefoils. I wish the Girl Scouts would bring them back - 3/1/2013   10:38:41 PM

If you can't be around GS cookies--don't go to these recipes! I was a leader for many years, was the "head cookie" person in our area and raised 3 Gold Award Scouts. I don't miss selling them--or eating so many--but I did buy 4 boxes to support the girls. - 3/1/2013   9:36:20 PM

I think the whole point of your blog was to point out recipes that were similar to the Girl Scout cookies and not to encourage members of SP to go out and eat a bunch of fattening Girl Scout cookies. Some people don't get the point no matter how you try to word something. Great blog!
- 3/1/2013   1:12:27 PM

I agree, this blog was not appropriate for Sparkpeople. I would liken it to posting a "Make your own alcohol at home!" blog on an AA site. Not cool. - 3/1/2013   12:22:25 PM

Saving this to make some of the cookies later. My family loves GS cookies. - 3/1/2013   11:11:56 AM

Thanks posting this article! It's fun to read them,look at the recipes & decide if it's something I want to make. You bloggers who post here must have good backbones with all the negative comments. Kudos to you! To all the naysayers out there----no one is making you read this article or eat the cookies. If it's not for you that's fine. - 3/1/2013   11:05:37 AM

I too love Girl Scout Cookies. Moderation, folks! I can't believe all the negative comments about how they aren't good for you! We know that, but we also know that you do need to incorporate a tiny bit of decadence into your diet, or you are doomed to fail.

Love these recipes! - 3/1/2013   10:40:22 AM

Just looked at the recipe for Samoas... if those are your favorited, BUY the cookies! Nothing healthier about the recipe, very time consuming, and I don't think they'd be any cheaper, either! - 3/1/2013   10:25:42 AM

My husband just bought 4 boxes....they are in the freezer... - 3/1/2013   9:11:40 AM

I don't buy Girl Scout cookies since I have no restraint, especially with the thin mints. I do make a donation so they can send cookies to the troops. - 3/1/2013   9:07:16 AM

I was a Girl Scout from Brownie to Senior. Mom was not only the leader of my Cadette troop but also my sister's Junior troop. Those are some of my most favorite memories. Course cookies were 50 cents a box back then. And it was safe to sell door to door after school with only my little sister along. I cannot wait to try some of these recipes. - 3/1/2013   7:55:27 AM

Really? Shame on you, SparkPeople! After reading countless articles on what we shouldn't eat, you post this article?? I am so disappointed!! I do understand everything in in moderation, but this is a nightmare for anyone trying to do the right thing. - 3/1/2013   7:18:48 AM

The homemade thin mints link went to a malicious page.... - 3/1/2013   4:56:43 AM

I, too, schlepped GS cookies all the way through elementary, junior high, and high school. I hated it, but I loved to eat them. Back in my day there were no rewards for selling cookies and they were only 50 cents a box (the troop got about 5 cents). I always buy from the kids because I remember how frustrating it was to go door to door. Now that the GS troops in my area allow me to "donate" to the military overseas, I'm a happy camper. I even convinced a neighbor boy to charge me what his athletic team would get from buying candy, but not give me the candy. It was a win-win day for both of us. - 2/28/2013   11:21:40 PM

Thanks For The Blog! I've Been A Supporter Of The Girl Scouts When I Could. I Was A Camp Fire Girl And We Sold Candy lol. These Recipes Will come In Handy. I Eat In Moderation And Have Not BANNED Any Food And I've Still Lost 84 lbs. I'm Blessed And I Don't Judge What Others Choose To Eat Or Not Eat. God Bless You! :))) - 2/28/2013   9:57:46 PM

I only see 11 posts, so I don't know where all the outraged posts are. I was going to suggest if you don't want to eat Girl Scout cookies due to healthiness you can buy them and ask them to donate them. All troops (in my area at least) pick a designated charity that they will give donated boxes to--very frequently it is US troops stationed overseas. Or just donate some money directly to a troop if you see them selling cookies and don't want to have them around to tempt you--they will take cash donations also! : ) - 2/28/2013   6:45:27 PM

I appreciate this blog. In order to make "healthy alternative" recipes, you have to start somewhere. This gives a nice jumping off point to those of us who might enjoy tweaking a recipe to make a healthier version. Plus, when you make things yourself, you're leaving behind the preservatives and crazy ingredients that might add to the less-than-spectacular nutrition of these boxed goodies.

Since when have treats and cookies been off limits at SparkPeople that so many people are outraged about this post? As far as I'm aware, moderation & potential substitution has always been the tagline here. - 2/28/2013   6:24:05 PM

What's the big deal? Temptation is an everyday reality for most of us, as is learning whether you function better applying moderation or abstinence. "Health" encompasses more than just getting exercise and eating nutritiously: having a reasonable emotional and psychological relationship with food (e.g. not having a fit at the mere suggestion of a sugary, fatty treat) is part of being well. - 2/28/2013   6:17:39 PM

oh please....
lighten up....no one is making you eat them!
cute article..
I like recognizing the scouts too! Tis the season!
I was a scout for 9 years.
I agree with donating them elsewhere and I too keep a thin mint in the freezer for a
counted" treat....thanks SP! - 2/28/2013   5:29:01 PM

I have to agree with some of the comments below, this does not seem appropriate for this site. - 2/28/2013   4:56:38 PM

I was a Girl Scout all the way through high school, too (and also hated selling and loved eating the cookies).

Nowadays, I buy 10 boxes from my niece with directions to donate all 10 boxes to the local food bank. - 2/28/2013   12:50:33 PM

This is kinda misleading ! Yup! I love thin mints but after losing 90 lbs I look for healthy treats and lower calorie or reduced fat treats! Maybe a low fat or lower calorie version would be a great idea! Thanks for sharing though! I will try to tweak it myself and get to y'all , - - 2/28/2013   11:48:58 AM

This is kinda misleading ! Yup! I love thin mints but after losing 90 lbs I look for healthy treats and lower calorie or reduced fat treats! Maybe a low fat or lower calorie version would be a great idea! Thanks for sharing though! I will try to tweak it myself and get to y'all , - 2/28/2013   11:40:19 AM

I love SparkPeople and hate it when people leave hateful comments, but AKATHLEEN54 is right! This article is terrible for people trying to live healthy lives or lose weight. After reading this all I want to do is eat an entire box of cookies or other "decadant" treat. I know its ok to eat a cookie now and then but I wasn't even thinking about treats until I read this and looked at the pictures of the cupcakes. For shame! - 2/28/2013   11:23:41 AM

Why in the world would you post "decadant recipes that use girl scout cookies"? Number one they are loaded with fat and calories and the recipes do not list any nutritional information. Bad idea!! - 2/28/2013   11:13:15 AM

Happiness has flooded my heart :D What a treat!!! - 2/28/2013   11:12:19 AM

The Lemon Coolers are my choice to make for an Easter Treat - Thanks - 2/28/2013   9:51:23 AM