Indulge in the irresistible flavors of our homemade Savannah Smiles cookie recipe.
These lemon-flavored delights,Savannah Smiles Girl Scout cookies are coated in powdered sugar, are a delightful blend of sweet and tangy, melting in your mouth, leaving you craving more.
The lemony kick is what sets these cookies apart, offering a delightful contrast to the sweet powdered sugar coating.
Whether you’re a fan of lemon desserts or love Girl Scout cookies, our copycat Savannah Smiles recipe is sure to impress.
With our easy-to-follow instructions, there’s no need to wait until girl scout cookie season because you’ll be creating your own batch of these iconic cookies in no time.
What are Savannah Smiles Cookies?
Savannah Smiles Cookies are a classic variety of Girl Scout cookies. These bite-sized treats are known for their distinctive crescent shape, lemon flavor, and powdery coating of confectioners’ sugar.
The cookies are named after the charming city of Savannah, reflecting a nod to the southern charm associated with Girl Scout traditions.
Making these cookies at home is easier than you think, and the result will be a batch of irresistible treats that are bound to impress your loved ones.
The buttery cookies are light and crisp with real lemon flavors, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or as a refreshing treat on a sunny day.
How to Make Savannah Smiles Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon extract, optional
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a small separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients – flour and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Beat in vanilla extract, lemon juice and optional lemon extract, if using. (If using fresh lemon for the lemon juice, feel free to add a bit of lemon zest in.)
Beat in the flour mixture until just combined, be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
After mixing the cookie dough, refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. Chilling the dough helps firm it up, making it easier to handle and reducing spreading during baking.
Use a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets.
Take the time to shape the cookie dough into the iconic crescent form. The distinctive shape is part of what makes Savannah Smiles Cookies visually appealing and recognizable.
To achieve the signature shape of Savannah Smiles cookies, roll dough into small balls and then gently shape them into crescents. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure even baking.
Bake for 10 minutes, allow to cool on the tray for 2 minutes, then toss the cookies in the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to coat completely.
The coating of powdered sugar is a signature feature of Savannah Smiles. Roll the freshly baked cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm, allowing the sugar to adhere and create a sweet and slightly crumbly exterior.
Place on a cooling rack until completely cool and then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days, but chances are they’ll be devoured much sooner!
Makes approximately 40 cookies.
Relevant Recipes:
- Thin Mints Donuts
- Caramel Delites Donuts
- No Churn Ice Cream recipes
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Patties Cupcakes
Savannah Smiles FAQ’s
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. After shaping the dough into crescents, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer the frozen cookie dough to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator before baking as usual.
Chilling the dough before baking helps reduce spreading. Additionally, make sure your baking sheet is cool before placing the cookie dough on it. If needed, you can also add a bit more flour to the dough to achieve a slightly stiffer consistency.
Copycat Savannah Smiles Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon extract, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a small separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients - flour and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Beat in vanilla extract, lemon juice and optional lemon extract, if using. (If using fresh lemon for the lemon juice, feel free to add a bit of lemon zest in.)
Beat in the flour mixture until just combined, be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
After mixing the cookie dough, refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. Chilling the dough helps firm it up, making it easier to handle and reducing spreading during baking.
Use a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets.
To achieve the signature shape of Savannah Smiles cookies, roll dough into small balls and then gently shape them into crescents. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure even baking.
Bake for 10 minutes, allow to cool on the tray for 2 minutes, then toss the cookies in the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to coat completely.
Place on a cooling rack until completely cool and then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days, but chances are they'll be devoured much sooner!
Notes
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. After shaping the dough into crescents, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer the frozen cookie dough to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator before baking as usual.
How can I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?
Chilling the dough before baking helps reduce spreading. Additionally, make sure your baking sheet is cool before placing the cookie dough on it. If needed, you can also add a bit more flour to the dough to achieve a slightly stiffer consistency.
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