The following sugar cookie recipe was published in The American Girl magazine in July 1922 by a Chicago director named Florence E. Neil. The recipe was given to 2,000 Girl Scouts, and girls across America began to sell their homemade cookie packages from door to door for about a quarter a dozen.

The Original Girl Scout Cookie

1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar plus additional amount for topping (optional)
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder

1. 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.
2. Roll dough, cut into trefoil shapes, and sprinkle sugar on top, if desired.
3. Bake in a quick oven 375°F (190°C) for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.

Makes 6 to 7 dozen cookies.