The Tale of Two Bakeries: Why It Matters for Non-Dairy Eaters
Navigating the world of Girl Scout cookies while adhering to a non-dairy diet requires a keen eye and some essential information. The single most important factor is understanding that not all Girl Scout cookies are created equal. The cookies sold across the United States are supplied by one of two licensed bakeries: ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers. Each bakery has its own distinct lineup of cookies, and while some names are similar, the recipes and ingredients vary significantly. This means that a 'Peanut Butter Patty' from one bakery is made with different ingredients than a 'Tagalong' from the other, and only one may be non-dairy. To find out which bakery supplies your area, you can use the Girl Scouts' official cookie locator tool or contact your local council.
Non-Dairy and Vegan Cookies from ABC Bakers
For those in regions supplied by ABC Bakers, there is a wider selection of non-dairy options made with vegan ingredients for the 2025 season. It is important to remember that these cookies are produced in facilities that also handle milk, so individuals with severe dairy allergies should proceed with caution and consult the packaging.
ABC Bakers' vegan-friendly lineup for 2025 includes:
- Thin Mints: The classic crisp chocolate wafer coated in a minty chocolate coating remains a vegan-friendly staple and is available from both bakeries.
- Peanut Butter Patties: These crispy vanilla cookies topped with peanut butter and covered in a chocolaty coating are made without dairy by ABC Bakers. Be careful not to confuse them with Little Brownie Bakers' Tagalongs, which contain milk.
- Lemonades: Savory shortbread cookies topped with tangy lemon-flavored icing are a citrusy non-dairy option exclusively from ABC Bakers. Its counterpart, Lemon-Ups from Little Brownie Bakers, is not vegan.
- Adventurefuls: The brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored crème and sea salt is made without animal products in ABC Bakers' new recipe (starting in 2024). Always check the label to ensure it's not an older batch or the milk-containing Little Brownie Bakers' version.
- Caramel Chocolate Chip: These chewy, gluten-free cookies with caramel and semi-sweet chocolate chips are another excellent non-dairy offering from ABC Bakers.
- Toast-Yay! (Discontinued after 2025): The popular French toast-inspired cookie, dipped in icing, is being retired after the 2025 season, so stock up while you can.
Non-Dairy and Vegan Cookies from Little Brownie Bakers
If your local Girl Scout council is supplied by Little Brownie Bakers, your selection of non-dairy cookies is more limited. For the 2025 season, only the Thin Mints are made with vegan ingredients by this bakery. This means that alternatives like Tagalongs, Lemon-Ups, and Caramel deLites contain milk ingredients. While Thin Mints are available from both bakers, there are slight taste and texture differences due to different recipes.
Important Allergen Warnings: Shared Equipment
For individuals with severe dairy allergies, a critical detail to remember is that even cookies made with vegan ingredients are often produced on equipment that is also used for dairy products. This is a common practice in food manufacturing and can lead to cross-contamination. Many non-dairy cookies from ABC Bakers are certified kosher OU-D, with the 'D' indicating that while the product itself contains no dairy ingredients, it was processed on equipment that also processes dairy. The specific risk level depends on individual sensitivity, so always check the packaging for the most current and accurate allergen information.
Comparison Table: Non-Dairy Girl Scout Cookies by Bakery (2025 Season)
| Cookie Name | ABC Bakers | Little Brownie Bakers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin Mints | Yes (vegan ingredients) | Yes (vegan ingredients) | Classic chocolate-mint cookie, vegan from both bakers. |
| Peanut Butter Patties | Yes (vegan ingredients) | No (milk ingredients) | Becomes the milk-containing 'Tagalongs' from LBB. |
| Adventurefuls | Yes (vegan ingredients) | No (milk ingredients) | New recipe from ABC (2024); LBB version is not dairy-free. |
| Caramel Chocolate Chip | Yes (vegan, gluten-free) | No (n/a) | Exclusively from ABC Bakers and gluten-free. |
| Lemonades | Yes (vegan ingredients) | No (milk ingredients) | Becomes the milk-containing 'Lemon-Ups' from LBB. |
| Toast-Yay! | Yes (vegan ingredients) | No (n/a) | Exclusive to ABC Bakers, discontinued after the 2025 season. |
Beyond the Cookie Box: How to Verify and Find Your Options
How to Determine Your Baker
To avoid any confusion, the most reliable way to know your local cookie options is by using the official tools provided by the Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts website has a cookie finder tool where you can enter your zip code to find a local troop and which cookies they sell. Additionally, you can check the box for the name of the bakery. The names of the cookies, such as Peanut Butter Patties vs. Tagalongs, are a key indicator of which bakery produced them.
Non-Cookie, Non-Dairy Alternatives
For those with severe allergies who wish to avoid any risk of cross-contamination, many brands offer non-dairy baked goods and snacks year-round. Examples include various brands of almond flour crackers, oat-based protein bars, and vegan yogurts. You can also try making your own versions of favorite cookies at home to ensure complete control over ingredients. Resources like Go Dairy Free offer recipes for dairy-free alternatives to popular Girl Scout flavors.
Conclusion
For those on a non-dairy diet, enjoying Girl Scout cookies requires careful attention to the specific bakery supplying your region and the ingredient labels. Thin Mints are a reliably non-dairy option from both ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, but for other flavors, the bakery makes all the difference. ABC Bakers offers a broader selection of non-dairy options, but all should be treated with caution due to shared equipment warnings for those with severe allergies. Always remember to double-check packaging for the most current ingredient and allergen information to ensure a safe and delicious cookie season.
