Trefoils Shortbread Recipe

Trefoil: the classic Girl Scout Cookie.  This copycat recipe is so easy to follow, you'll want to memorize it.   It's the last shortbread recipe you'll ever need and the basis for several other Girl Scout cookie recipes, including Samoas and Tagalongs!

While it's good to support your local scouts, according to girlscouts.org, only about 10% of all cookie sales actually go to support the troop.   Plus, sometimes you just need a cookie, even when it's not in season!

Step 1: Ingredients

There are lots of copycat recipes out there.  Let me save you the time and effort by sharing my favorite one here.  It's found on several other websites too!

• 228g (1 cup)  butter, room temperature
• 115g (1/2 cup) sugar
• 250g (2 cups) all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons (1oz) milk

Comments

[Maureen C]

I made this shortbread and doubled the recipe. It stores well and is absolutely my favorite. It bakes perfectly and doesn't spread much, just like I was hoping. It is delicious! I also made some toasted coconut to make the homemade Samoas.

[Emily44444]

How long will I have to bake them?

[breezypeazy]

Looks deelish! How long are these good for?

[laurie v.]

Another of my favorites, right after creme eggs. Can't wait to make these also (after the creme eggs, of course). So glad I found your website!!!!

[lthorp123]

if you use powdered sugar instead of flour it makes a sweeter cookie and does not make a "tougher" cookie the way adding flour can do. I haven't made this recipe yet, so this is just an general statement.

[sunshiine]

Thanks for the recipe! I have been looking for a good one!
Sunshiine

[suayres]

These sound so much better than ANY box cookie--you're using real ingredients--butter, not palm kernel oil or coconut oil or hydrogenated vegetable oil; sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup, and so on. Not only are they going to taste better, they're going to be way better for you. It does seem to me that humankind has had hundreds of thousands of years to evolve to digest and process natural foods--and that includes butter! On the othernhand, we're NOT adapted to handle all these synthesized foods. Any time I can make my family a more-natural food choice, imdo it. So thank you!

[Twinmum]

Have to try these and see if they are like Australian Girl Guide biscuits while I have some to compare (still have a few packets to sell for the daughter's units :-) )

[Black Panther Knex]

Tasted great! Thanks for the recipe!!

[vinced2]

Big and tasty

[confusedcats]

how many cookies does this make?

[mr. dogdoo]

While it's true that a limited amount of money goes towards DIRECT support of troop activities the whole amount that does not go to the baker goes towards indirect support of girls in your communities.

Girl Scouts could not provide the structure or opportunities that girls have come to rely on without your support. By purchasing Girl Scout cookies you are supporting a local organization which helps girls if your area develop some very important skills as well as helping to teach girls necessary skills for running a business.

So, by all means, feel free to make these copy cat cookies (I know I will) but also remember that when the time comes it's important to support the cookie program... without your support Girl Scouting couldn't exist.

[fleurdejava]

2 sticks butter = ? grams. I am french and we don't know sticks of butter.
Thank you

[scoochmaroo]

228 g

[fleurdejava]

Thank you scoochmaroo

[ser_pez]

i made these today...so good! wow. these will be my new go-to cookies. super quick and easy!

[tobster9103]

what temp do you bake them at? I am guessing 350 degrees?

[scoochmaroo]

Yes!