Discover the delightful tangy and zesty flavor of homemade Savannah Smiles cookies, made with simple ingredients. Try our easy and delicious recipe to recreate these iconic lemon cookies in your own kitchen.
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of our homemade Savannah Smiles cookie recipe.
With their perfect balance of tangy lemon zest and sweetness, these delightful treats offer a refreshing and citrusy experience.
Savannah Smiles girl scout cookies are coated in delicate powdered sugar, melting in your mouth, leaving you craving more.
Whether you’re a fan of lemon desserts or love Girl Scout cookies, our copycat Savannah Smiles recipe is sure to impress.
What are Savannah Smiles?
Savannah Smiles are lemon girl scout cookies. These cookies are named after the city of Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of girl scouts and are known for their distinct crescent shape and powdery powdered sugar coating. Savannah Smiles have a delightful tangy and sweet flavor profile, making them a favorite among lemon dessert lovers.
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.
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!
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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Supplies Needed to Make Savannah Smiles
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