Navigating the world of Girl Scout cookies can be a tricky task for someone with dietary restrictions. While some people assume all cookies are vegetarian, this is not the case. The determining factor is which of the two licensed manufacturers, ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers, produces the cookies sold by your local troop. These two bakeries use different recipes and ingredients, which directly impacts the vegetarian and vegan status of many cookie varieties.
The Tale of Two Bakeries
The Girl Scouts of the USA utilize a dual-baker system, with different regions of the country being served by either ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers. This means that a cookie with the same name might be vegetarian in one area but not another. For example, ABC Bakers' Peanut Butter Patties are vegan (and therefore vegetarian), but Little Brownie Bakers' very similar Tagalongs are not because they contain milk ingredients. The only cookie that is consistently vegan and therefore vegetarian regardless of the bakery is Thin Mints.
ABC Bakers' Vegetarian-Friendly Options
ABC Bakers, which serves approximately half the country, offers a wider variety of vegan-friendly cookies than its counterpart. Since vegetarianism permits dairy and eggs, any cookie that is vegan is also considered vegetarian. ABC's 2025 vegan lineup includes:
- Adventurefuls: A brownie-inspired cookie with a salted caramel center.
- Caramel Chocolate Chip: A gluten-free and vegan cookie with caramel and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Lemonades: A shortbread cookie with a tangy lemon icing.
- Peanut Butter Patties: Vanilla cookies topped with peanut butter and coated in chocolate.
- Thin Mints: The classic chocolate-mint cookie.
- Toast-Yay!: A French toast-inspired cookie, though it will be discontinued after the 2025 season.
Little Brownie Bakers' Vegetarian-Friendly Options
Little Brownie Bakers produces cookies for the other half of the US and generally uses more animal-derived ingredients. For vegetarians, many of their cookies are acceptable as they primarily use dairy and eggs, but for those with stricter vegan diets, options are limited. Their consistent vegan option is also Thin Mints, but many of their other varieties contain milk or other non-vegan ingredients.
A Cookie-by-Cookie Comparison
To make your cookie-buying decision easier, here is a comparison of popular cookies based on the bakery.
| Cookie Variety | ABC Bakers | Little Brownie Bakers | Vegetarian Status (LBB) | Vegan Status (ABC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin Mints | Vegan | Vegan | Vegetarian | Yes |
| Adventurefuls | Vegan | Contains Milk | Vegetarian | Yes |
| Caramel Chocolate Chip | Vegan & Gluten-Free | Contains Milk & Eggs | Not Vegetarian | Yes |
| Caramel deLites / Samoas | N/A | Contains Milk | Vegetarian | No |
| Do-si-dos / Peanut Butter Sandwiches | Contains Milk | Contains Milk | Vegetarian | No |
| Lemonades | Vegan | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Lemon-Ups | N/A | Contains Milk | Vegetarian | No |
| Peanut Butter Patties / Tagalongs | Vegan | Contains Milk | Vegetarian | Yes |
| Trefoils / Shortbread | Vegan | Contains Milk & Whey | Vegetarian | Yes |
Note: This information is based on ingredient listings from recent cookie seasons. Always check the box for the most current and accurate information.
How to Ensure You Get the Right Cookies
- Check the Baker: Look at the packaging for the bakery name. It will be either ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers.
- Look for Vegan: While the question is about vegetarianism, many resources focus on vegan options because they are also vegetarian. Look for explicit 'vegan' labeling, as ABC Bakers often highlights these options.
- Read the Ingredients List: For strict vegetarian needs, read the ingredients list on the box. Common non-vegetarian ingredients include milk, whey, and eggs. Gelatin is typically not used, but it's always good to check. This is the most accurate way to verify any cookie's status.
- Buy Directly from Councils: When ordering online, you can often see which baker serves a particular council. If your local council is served by Little Brownie Bakers but you want an ABC-exclusive cookie, you might be able to order from a different council online.
Conclusion: Your Cookie Choice is Key
In summary, the assumption that all Girl Scout cookies are vegetarian is incorrect due to differences in ingredients and manufacturing processes between ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. While many cookies are suitable for vegetarians, particularly those from ABC Bakers, some varieties contain dairy and eggs. For those with a vegan diet, the options are more limited but still available, with Thin Mints being a universally vegan choice. By checking the baker and reading the label, you can confidently choose the right Girl Scout cookies for your dietary needs while supporting a great cause. For more comprehensive information, you can visit the official Girl Scouts website.
Key takeaways
- Bakery Varies: Girl Scout cookies are produced by two different bakeries, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, which have different recipes for similar cookies.
- Some Are Vegetarian: Not all cookies are vegetarian; some contain animal products like milk and eggs, especially those from Little Brownie Bakers.
- ABC Has More Vegan Options: ABC Bakers offers a larger variety of vegan (and thus vegetarian) cookies compared to Little Brownie Bakers.
- Thin Mints are Always Vegan: The classic Thin Mints cookie is vegan regardless of which bakery produces it.
- Ingredient Check is Crucial: Consumers with dietary restrictions should always check the ingredient label on the package for the most accurate information.
- Regional Differences Exist: The specific selection and vegetarian/vegan status of cookies will vary depending on your region and the bakery that serves it.
