Smile Politely

C-U bakers made desserts with Girl Scout cookies

As part of the annual Diamonds, Desserts, and Distinction event by the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois last week, eight Champaign-Urbana bakers whipped up desserts inspired by Girl Scout cookies. The event honored two Women of Distinction who help girls build courage, confidence, and character: Kerry Rossow (Co-Founder) and Jenette Jurczyk (National Director) of That’s What She Said.

In addition to the Girl Scout cookie-themed desserts, there were hors d’oeuvres catered by Dish Passionate Cuisine.

On a black table, trays of appetizers catered by Dish Passionate Cuisine are beautifully arranged. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Each of the eight teams were assigned a Girl Scout cookie and tasked with creating a dessert. Guests voted for their favorite dessert, and three judges decided a winner as well.

On a wooden board, there are several small pieces of a peanut butter marshmallow layered dessert. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Baldarotta’s Porketta & Sicilian Sausage made an amazing peanut chew with housemade marshmallow, candied peanuts, and a bottom layer made with GS peanut butter sandwich cookies.

On a black table, there are several plastic cups of ice cream with plastic spoons sticking out. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Biaggi’s created chocolate peanut butter lasagna, layers of ice cream with halved peanut butter patties portioned in cups.

On a clear plate, there are little dessert squares balanced on tiny golden paper plates. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Central Illinois Bakehouse was assigned Caramel deLites and made chocolate coconut tarts. 

There are five lemon desserts with a cake pop resting on top of each. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Dish Passionate Cuisine assembled a dessert called lemonade dream with a cake pop in a lemon pudding inspired by the GS cookie Lemonades.

On a light brown plate, there is a meringue-based cookie with drizzles of chocolate and caramel. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Assigned the gluten-free Girl Scout cookie, Homegrown made coco-caramel clouds, a difficult meringue-based dessert.

On a black tray, squares of baklava made by Lodgic's Everyday Kitchen are arranged for tasting. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Lodgic’s Everyday Kitchen presented beautiful baklava made with Adventurefuls cookies.

On a silver plate, there are little cups of mint brownie desserts. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Martinelli’s Market created delicious Thin Mint brownie cheesecake cups.

On a silver tiered holder, there are bright blue macarons with the Girl Scouts logo in white. Photo by Alyssa Buckley.Photo by Alyssa Buckley.

Showing off the bakery’s macaron expertise, Pekara Bakery & Bistro made bright blue macarons with Trefoil cookies.

Two teams were crowned winners: Everyday Kitchen’s Adventureful baklava (judge’s choice) and Dish Passionate Cuisine’s lemonade dream (crowd favorite).

Follow the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois on Facebook. If you like desserts and Girl Scouts, make sure to attend the Diamonds, Desserts, and Distinction event next year.

Top image by Alyssa Buckley.

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