If being obsessed with Girl Scout cookies is wrong, then we don’t want to be right. Those young scouts know the way to our hearts is paved with chocolatey Thin Mints, chewy Caramel deLites and buttery Trefoils shortbread. To celebrate the start of Girl Scout cookie delivery season, we’ve rounded up some easy, better-for-you recipes that don’t compromise on flavor or have any unnatural preservatives — scout’s honor. If you’re vegan, gluten-free or simply looking for a slimmed-down version of your favorite cookie, whip up these treats from some of our favorite food bloggers.
RELATED: 12 Cookie Recipes Under 100 Calories
9 DIY Girl Scout Cookie Recipes
1. Samoa Bars (Caramel deLites copycat)
You wouldn’t know this lighter version of the caramel classic has no dairy. A plain base made from walnuts gets dressed up with a coconut “caramel” topping that’s actually chopped dates. If you’re pressed for time, go the easy route and cut the dough into bars instead of cookie rings. We promise they’ll still taste just as scrumptious! Photo and Recipe: Melinda / cooking ala mel
2. Paleo Thin Mints (Thin Mints copycat)
Get your peppermint fix with these caveman-approved treats. Make sure to let your butter soften naturally instead of melting it so your dough is the correct consistency. The cookies will take a while to make but they are oh-so worth it. Photo and Recipe: Lexi / Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
RELATED: Protein Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
3. Coconut Oil Shortbread (Trefoils copycat)
Vegans, rejoice! Most shortbread recipes rely on dairy for that crispy, buttery taste, but this version has nada. Keep it classic with a dusting of powdered sugar or go decadent by sandwiching two cookies together with chocolate in the center. Photo and Recipe: River / Wing It Vegan
4. Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs copycat)
Each of these scrumptious nut butter-packed cookies is under 50 calories. If you use coconut oil for the chocolate coating, don’t forget to store your finished treats in the fridge. Oil has a low melting point and your chocolate will get soft if left on the counter. Photo and Recipe: Katie / Chocolate Covered Katie
RELATED: 9 Delicious DIY Nut Butters and Fruit Jams
5. Peanut Butter Sandwiches (Do-si-Dos copycat)
These cookies taste like the real thing but are healthier since they’ve got heart-smart oats and whole-wheat pastry flour. They’re especially good straight from the freezer. Nutty, creamy, crunchy, perfection! Photo and Recipe: Brooke / The Flour Sack
6. S’more Cookies (Girl Scouts S’mores copycat)
All that marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker goodness, made right at home and vegan-friendly. Take a bite to feel like you’re sitting by a peaceful campfire — just as the Girl Scouts likely intended with the release of this new cookie flavor. Recipe and photo: Kristy / Keepin’ It Kind
RELATED: 9 Single-Serve Dessert Recipes (Microwave Cake Included!)
7. Toffee Coffee Cookies (Toffee-tastic copycat)
Take your love of coffee to a whole new level. This recipe — which has just 10 ingredients — calls for instant coffee crystals that add a hint of that earthy flavor to a typical toffee cookie. And the secret to keeping a soft center: cornstarch. Recipe and photo: Amy / Amy’s Healthy Baking
8. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies (Cranberry Citrus Crisps copycat)
There’s no sugar, flour or butter in this easy recipe, studded with dried cranberries. Plus, you only need one bowl so clean up is quick. Whether you choose to lick the bowl clean or stick to conventional methods is your call. Photo and Recipe: Josefine / The Smoothie Lover
RELATED: Breakfast Rut? 8 Oatmeal Muffin Recipes to Fuel You
9. Paleo Chocolate Chunk Shortbread (Chocolate Chip Shortbread copycat)
Almond and coconut flour make these cookies Paleo-friendly and gluten-free, and a throw back to an older Girl Scout flavor. If you’re extra ambitious, learn to prepare the chocolate chunks from scratch, too, with the easy-to-follow instructions. Photo and Recipe: Sonia / The Healthy Foodie
Originally posted on April 24, 2014. Updated April 2017.