There’s more to these sweet treats than meets the eye (and tastebuds). Think you know it all? Here are nine facts about Girl Scout Cookies to test your knowledge.
1. Girl Scout Cookies Are Over 100 Years Old
The first cookie sales were in 1917 by the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Those sugar cookies were sold in a high school cafeteria. The funds were used to pay for uniforms and troop activities. Girl Scout troops still sell cookies to fundraise for activities and supplies.
2. You Can Still Make the Original
It’s true! You can bake the sugar cookie that girls used to make by the hundreds. Girl Scouts of America has shared the recipe for nostalgia’s sake. We can’t guarantee it’ll beat a Thin Mint, but at least you’ll understand how Girl Scouts had to bake these for years before bakeries got involved. (The recipe link is posted at the bottom of this article.)
But did you know there are different cookie recipes and names…?
3. There Are Two Bakeries (and Different Cookie Names)
The recipes are not the same. The cookie names aren’t, either.
Every Girl Scout council decides whether they will use ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers. That’s why your local Girl Scout is selling Samoas but the cookie your bestie bought who lives an hour away is the Caramel deLites. Your Samoa has dark chocolate stripes but your friend’s has milk chocolate.
Which one is better? We suggest having a “cookie off” and decide for yourself.
Oh, and don’t worry, there are vegan options available. (…WHAT????)
4. Vegan Girl Scout Cookies? Seriously?
Yes! But see above, as not all cookies are created the same. For instance, the Peanut Butter Patties are vegan, but the Tagalongs are not. Thin Mints are ALWAYS vegan. The other vegan Girl Scout cookies are the Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot, and S’mores (but not the sandwich-style S’more).
Questions? Ask your friendly Girl Scout, she’s sure to point you in the right direction.
Wondering why you can’t get every flavor every year?
5. Only Three Flavors Are Guaranteed
Everyone has their favorite — but don’t get attached. Only three flavors of Girl Scouts Cookies are guaranteed to return each year: ThinMints, Do-Si-Do’s/Peanut Butter Sandwiches, and Trefoils/Shortbreads will never be cut.
That means the number two biggest seller, Samoas/Caramel deLites have to be approved annually before ether goes on sale.
Did you know there was a time when cookies weren’t sold?