I’m going to go out on a limb here by making a pretty bold statement: people love their cookies. Okay, maybe not such a bold statement, but I’ve been thinking lately about how much something as simple as a cookie has come to be revered in our society. This year alone (and it’s only March!), cookies have thrust their way into news headlines all over the globe. What is it about these sweet little treats that has us hooked?
On My Honor, I Will Eat These Thin Mints
2012 marks the 100th anniversary of our beloved Girl Scouts, our mini, green or brown-clad survivalists who are better known for slinging their delicious little cookie treats each year. Though cookie sales didn’t actually begin until 1917, this year’s troops began offering a special cookie to commemorate their 100th birthday. These particular cookies, Savannah Smiles, are small, crescent-shaped, lemon-flavored mouthfuls of tangy sweetness, and they go remarkably well with Earl Grey tea (trust me…I’ve tried them with everything). But let’s not forget their other, more popular flavors, including Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, etc. My favorite thing to do with Thin Mints? Stick them in the freezer for a little while, then crumble them over some quality chocolate ice cream. You can thank me later.
Though Girl Scout cookies are now offered in a variety of flavors to satisfy any palette, their original cookie recipe was something far simpler. In 1922, Chicago Girl Scouts local director Florence Neil provided this recipe to 2,000 girl scouts, encouraging them to sell them for 25 to 30 cents a dozen. That recipe is:
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
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.
Happy Birthday, Oreo!
Early in March, the Oreo cookie celebrated its 100th birthday. Rumor has it that the Oreo rakes in $2 billion in global sales for Nabisco each year, earning the title of “World’s Best-Selling Cookie”. The celebration was so big that Lady Antebellum flash-mobbed Los Angeles with a “Happy Birthday” song dedicated to the famous cookie, it made a cameo in the “Send Out the Clowns” episode of Modern Family, and apparently, the Oreo Facebook page ranks among the top five “brand pages” in the world.
From whence did this delicious, chocolatey treat arise? Legend has it that Oreos originated in 1912 in Chelsea, New York and were available in two flavors: cream and lemon meringue. Lemon meringue would be discontinued only a decade later because, let's face it, lemon meringue < cream filling. Since its inception, the Oreo cookie has been accompanied by other (less desirable, in my opinion) flavors and variations, including:
Double Stuf Golden Oreos (2009): No chocolate = no bueno
Oreo Fudge Sundae Creme Chocolate Rings (2000), limited edition
Oreo Fudge Rings
Oreo Waferstix
Golden Oreo
Golden Chocolate Creme Oreo, a.k.a the "Uh-Oh Oreo" (2007) (Uh-oh, it didn’t sell too well!)
Mini Oreo (2000): Released in conjunction with the 2001 Dodge Caravan as a promo
Oreo Vend Pack: For nom-noms on the go
Double Stuf Oreo (1975): Offered in peanut butter, original, cool mint, or chocolate cream
Big Stuf Oreo (1984-1991): Larger, fattier, and more calorie-laden than the original
Double Delight Oreo (1987): Chocolate wafers with 2 fillings (peanut butter/chocolate, mint/cream, coffee/cream)
Cool Mint Creme Oreo: The Double Stuf with a mint creme filling
Fudge Covered Oreo: Dunked in fudge, white fudge, or milk chocolate (Om nom nom nom!)
Pure Milk Chocolate Covered Mint Oreo
100 Calorie Pack Oreo: No creme filling?! That's no Oreo!
Triple Stuf Oreo (2006): Promo lasted only 1 month
Sugar Free Oreo: The fun-free Oreo
Reduced Fat Oreo: The reduced-fun Oreo
Oreo Cakesters (2007)
Banana Split Creme Oreo (2008), limited edition
Oreo-Handi-Snacks: Cookies with a kiddie pool of sugary icing
Oreo Sippers: The original Oreo straw (for use with Diet sodas, of course)
Holiday-Themed Oreos: With dyed filling
Who knew that goodness could be reinvented in so many ways? I'm still waiting on the Baconoreo. Come on, Nabisco, let's make it happen.
Double Stuf Golden Oreos (2009): No chocolate = no bueno
Oreo Fudge Sundae Creme Chocolate Rings (2000), limited edition
Oreo Fudge Rings
Oreo Waferstix
Golden Oreo
Golden Chocolate Creme Oreo, a.k.a the "Uh-Oh Oreo" (2007) (Uh-oh, it didn’t sell too well!)
Mini Oreo (2000): Released in conjunction with the 2001 Dodge Caravan as a promo
Oreo Vend Pack: For nom-noms on the go
Double Stuf Oreo (1975): Offered in peanut butter, original, cool mint, or chocolate cream
Big Stuf Oreo (1984-1991): Larger, fattier, and more calorie-laden than the original
Double Delight Oreo (1987): Chocolate wafers with 2 fillings (peanut butter/chocolate, mint/cream, coffee/cream)
Cool Mint Creme Oreo: The Double Stuf with a mint creme filling
Fudge Covered Oreo: Dunked in fudge, white fudge, or milk chocolate (Om nom nom nom!)
Pure Milk Chocolate Covered Mint Oreo
100 Calorie Pack Oreo: No creme filling?! That's no Oreo!
Triple Stuf Oreo (2006): Promo lasted only 1 month
Sugar Free Oreo: The fun-free Oreo
Reduced Fat Oreo: The reduced-fun Oreo
Oreo Cakesters (2007)
Banana Split Creme Oreo (2008), limited edition
Oreo-Handi-Snacks: Cookies with a kiddie pool of sugary icing
Oreo Sippers: The original Oreo straw (for use with Diet sodas, of course)
Holiday-Themed Oreos: With dyed filling
Who knew that goodness could be reinvented in so many ways? I'm still waiting on the Baconoreo. Come on, Nabisco, let's make it happen.
Now that you’re craving Oreos, here are a couple of videos you can watch while indulging in your own “Giant Oreo”, a la Luke Dunphy:
“Happy 100th Birthday, OREO!!!” – This little boy is adorable!
“Oreo Commercial 2012: Commute” – If we all took some time to remember being a kid, the world would be a better place.
No comments:
Post a Comment