Events | Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge is BACK

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council is pleased to announce the return of its award-winning Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge. For the fifth year in a row, chefs from some of the state’s most popular restaurants will use their culinary prowess to re-imagine one of the beloved flavors of Girl Scout Cookies – Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils, S’mores and Savannah Smiles – into a custom dessert menu item. Each restaurant has agreed to feature its dessert on their menu from February 1 to February 28, 2018, with a portion of the proceeds from each dessert sold directly supporting Girl Scouting in Arizona.

“While I was clearly never an actual Girl Scout, we jumped headfirst into the Dessert Challenge in year one to support girls and women in this community,” says Michael Rusconi, whose team at Rusconi’s American Kitchen in Paradise Valley area created a Samoa dessert for the first four years, and this year took on Tagalongs. “All these years later, especially now with their ‘G.I.R.L.’ mission, which is focused on fostering Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, Leaders, we are doubling down on our support.”

Rusconi’s American Kitchen, along with Olive + Ivy, The Thumb, and Lumberyard Brewery in Flagstaff, will be inducted into the Girl Scout’s “Five Timers Club” this year, commemorating their participation in the challenge each year since its inception in 2014.

There are also several multi-year veterans and new contenders joining in the fun for 2018 – 24 venues in total.

“I wanted to join the Challenge this year for two main reasons,” says Diego Espinoza of Fuego Grill in Tolleson. “First, I wanted to take part – and even named my dessert Jessie’s Delight – as a tribute to my mother. She is a strong female leader for our family and community, which connects with the Girl Scout mission. With her leadership and mentorship, I have become a successful business owner and AZ State Representative LD19. And second, I applaud the Girl Scouts’ outreach efforts in Hispanic communities and want to do my part to be a part of the Movement.”

All the chefs hope not only to raise critical funds to support local Girl Scouting, but also to inspire home cooks across Arizona to buy an extra box or two this Girl Scout Cookie season to create their own desserts, too. Girl Scout Cookies will be available from Jan. 22 to March 4 this year. As in recent years, the Girl Scouts will have all cookies on hand for immediate customer purchase. Locations of cookie booths can be found using the Cookie Finder app at girlscoutsaz.org/cookiefinder.

The participating restaurants, and their creative desserts in the Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge are

Aioli Burger

Dessert Designer: Thomas D’Ambrosio
Assigned Cookie: Tagalongs
Dessert: Tagalong ~ You’re It ~ Premier Milk Shake
Cost: $6
Info: 10652 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85028

Brat Haus

Dessert Designer: Jeffrey Schoening
Assigned Cookie: Trefoils
Dessert: Trefoil Meyer Lemon Tart
Cost: $8
Info: 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Fair Trade Café

Dessert Designer: Stephanie Vazquez
Assigned Cookie: Trefoils
Dessert: Pura Vida Cheesecake
Cost: $4.25
Info: 1020 N. 1^st Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85003

Fuego Grill

Dessert Designer: Diego Espinoza
Assigned Cookie: Do-si-dos
Dessert: Jessie’s Delight
Cost: $4.69
Info: 9118 W. Van Buren Street Tolleson, AZ 85353

Grape Wine Bistro

Dessert Designer: Kellie Pruitt
Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints
Dessert: Thin Mint Crazy Milkshake Food Coma Ride
Get the Recipe
Cost: $9
Info: 23335 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Market Street Kitchen

Dessert Designer: Matt Keeler
Assigned Cookie: Samoas
Dessert: Claire’s Badge
Cost: $7
Info: 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Ocean Prime

Dessert Designer: Jagger Griffin
Assigned Cookie: Savannah Smiles
Dessert: Savannah Smiles Vanilla and Lemon Raspberry Tart
Get the Recipe
Cost: $12
Info: 5455 E. High Street, Phoenix, AZ 85054

Olive + Ivy

Dessert Designer: Summer Ormsby
Assigned Cookie: Tagalong
Dessert: Tagalong Gelato
Cost: $3.25 for one scoop; $4.25 for two scoops; $6.00 for three scoops
Info: 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Presidio

Dessert Designer: Lucy Nava
Assigned Cookie: Savannah Smiles
Dessert: Carlota
Cost: $6.95
Info: 519 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Proof Canteen at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort Troon North

Dessert Designer: Lance Whipple
Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints
Dessert: Thin Mint Chocolate Brownie Pie with Thin Mint Cookie Ice Cream
Cost: $10
Info: 10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Revolu Modern Taqueria + Bar

Dessert Designer: Jeremiah Gracia
Assigned Cookie: Tagalongs
Dessert: Tagalong Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
Cost: $9
Info: 15703 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382

Rita’s Kitchen at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn

Dessert Designer: Jeffrey Pilditch
Assigned Cookie: Samoas
Dessert: Samoa Trifle
Get the Recipe
Cost: $10
Info: 5402 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85253

Rusconi’s American Kitchen

Photo Credit | Joanie Simon

Dessert Designer: Dave Rico
Assigned Cookie: Tagalongs
Dessert: Banana Cream Pie in a Jar with Tagalong Crust
Cost: $8
Info: 10637 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85028

Silver Pine Restaurant at Little America Hotel Flagstaff

Dessert Designer: Vanessa Ronspies (a former Girl Scout)
Assigned Cookie: Thin Mint
Dessert: Silver Pine Malted Mint Ice Cream
Cost: $6
Info: 2515 E Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Super Chunk Sweets & Treats

Dessert Designers: Sergio and Country Velador
Assigned Cookie: Samoas
Dessert: Pineapple Samoas Cheesecake
Cost: $4.99
Info: 7120 E 6th Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

The Covenant

Dessert Designer: Rich Putman
Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints
Dessert: Crème de Menthe
Cost: $7
Info: 4740 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85028

The Haymaker

Dessert Designer: Joe Ludici
Assigned Cookie: Samoas
Dessert: Mommy’s Spiked (or Unspiked) Samoa Milkshake
Get the Recipe
Cost: $9 with spirits or $7 without
Info: 24762 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, AZ 85383

The Henry

Dessert Designer: Lucia Alferez
Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints
Dessert: Chocolate Fudge Brownie with Mint Crème
Cost: $3
Info: 4455 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018

The Herb Box

Dessert Designer: Monique “Mo” Kauppi
Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints
Dessert: Vegan Thin Mint Ding Dong
Cost: $8 on restaurant menu; $6 in bakery
Info: Available at both Scottsdale locations
7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
20707 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

The Market Restaurant + Bar by Jennifer’s

Dessert Designer: Jennifer Russo
Assigned Cookie: Savannah Smiles
Dessert: The Zesty Lemon
Cost: $7
Info: 3603 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018

The Thumb

Dessert Designer: Susan Kolman
Assigned Cookie: Smores
Dessert: Smores Fudge Pop
Cost: $4.25
Info: 9393 E. Bell Road Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Tres Leches Café

Dessert Designer: Jose Rivera
Assigned Cookie: Samoas
Dessert: Samoa Mas Latte
Cost: $4.50 for 12 ounces; $5.50 for 16 ounces; $6.50 for 34 ounces
Info: 1330 W. Roosevelt Street Phoenix, AZ 85007

To share your own dessert creations – or photos  of you and your family enjoying any of the chefs’ creations – simply tag your social media posts with @GSACPC and #dessertchallenge.