LOCAL GOURMET CHEESECAKES FEATURE TWO GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

Mint Delight and Do-Se-Dos Logs are traditionally best sellers for enterprising Girl Scout cookie sales representatives.

Thomas Harte hopes these two best sellers will continue to attract the collective sweet tooth.

Harte, a partner and top chef in My Daddy's Cheesecake Inc., 2001 Independence, has created two new cheesecake flavors using the two popular cookies.

"I actually use cookies in the cheesecakes," said Harte, who last week also announced a new size cheesecake.

"Our regular cheesecakes weigh five pounds," said Harte. "In response to numerous requests we have introduced a two-and-a-half-pound cake."

The smaller cakes will be available in both of the Girl Scout cookie flavors, plus the Turtle, Classic, and Berry Swirl.

"The Girl Scouts requested that we develop a cheesecake using Scout cookies," said Harte. "The two flavors we chose are very good."

The thin mint cookies are ground into crumbs to form a layer that is placed in the center of the cake.

"We use a chocolate topping, giving the cake a good flavor with a hint of mint," said Harte.

The Do-So-Dos Logs are peanut butter cookies.

"We use the same format," explained Harte. "We grind the logs into crumbs, and use a peanut butter topping."

Harte said the two new flavors debuted a week ago to correspond with the start of Girl Scout cookie sales.

"They'll be available in restaurants which feature our cheesecakes," said Harte. "Whole cakes will also be available. Individuals can also contact the Girl Scout office for more information on the two new flavors."

All My Daddy's cheesecakes are available by mail order nationwide.

My Daddy's Cheesecake was founded in 1987 by Harte; his wife, Jane Harte; and Joe Low and his wife, Lauchette Low, as a part-time business.

The company's cheesecakes are now available in restaurants at Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff and St. Louis.