The Tale of Two Bakeries: A Crucial Distinction
For those wondering, 'Are any of the Girl Scout Cookies vegan?', the answer is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no. The core reason lies in the Girl Scouts' unique distribution system, which relies on two licensed bakeries: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. The cookies produced by these two companies, while sometimes having similar themes, are not identical. Their recipes, ingredients, and even names can differ significantly, which directly impacts which cookies are suitable for a vegan diet.
The specific bakery that supplies your local Girl Scout council dictates which products are available to you. To find out which bakery to check, you can visit the Girl Scouts' official 'Meet the Cookies' page or consult your local council's website. The difference is especially important when considering cookies with similar names, as the seemingly minor recipe variations can mean the difference between a vegan and non-vegan treat.
Vegan Options from ABC Bakers
If your local troop is supplied by ABC Bakers, you are in luck, as they offer a wider selection of vegan-friendly cookies. For the 2025 cookie season, ABC Bakers has confirmed that they produce several cookies made with vegan ingredients. This variety provides a welcome assortment for plant-based customers. Here is a list of the vegan cookies from ABC Bakers:
- Thin Mints: This classic and popular chocolate-mint cookie is vegan-friendly from both bakeries, but the ABC version is known for a slightly different texture and flavor profile.
- Peanut Butter Patties: Featuring a crispy vanilla cookie topped with peanut butter and covered in a chocolatey coating, this version is vegan. Note that the similar cookie from Little Brownie Bakers, Tagalongs, is not vegan.
- Lemonades: A tangy lemon-iced shortbread cookie that balances sweet and tart flavors. These are exclusively from ABC Bakers and are vegan. They should not be confused with Little Brownie Bakers' Lemon-Ups, which are not vegan.
- Adventurefuls: First launched in 2022, this brownie-inspired cookie with a caramel crème filling is also made with vegan ingredients by ABC Bakers.
- Toast-Yay!: A French toast-flavored cookie dipped in icing, Toast-Yay! has been a vegan option from ABC Bakers but is set to be discontinued after the 2025 cookie season.
- Gluten-Free Caramel Chocolate Chip: This cookie is both vegan and gluten-free, exclusively offered by ABC Bakers. It underwent a reformulation to become vegan for the 2023 season.
The Limited Vegan Selection from Little Brownie Bakers
If your local Girl Scout council is supplied by Little Brownie Bakers, your vegan options are far more limited. This is a crucial detail to remember, especially when buying familiar cookie names. For the current season, Little Brownie Bakers offers only one vegan cookie option.
- Thin Mints: The beloved Thin Mint is the sole vegan-friendly cookie available from Little Brownie Bakers. The Little Brownie version is known for being slightly less crunchy and having a more subtle mint flavor compared to the ABC version.
Name Confusion: The Tale of Samoas and Tagalongs
The different bakers can cause confusion when a cookie has different names or recipes. Two well-known examples are Samoas versus Caramel deLites, and Tagalongs versus Peanut Butter Patties.
- Samoas (LBB) vs. Caramel deLites (ABC): Both are caramel-and-coconut cookies. However, Samoas are made by Little Brownie Bakers and contain milk, making them non-vegan. Caramel deLites are from ABC Bakers and also contain milk.
- Tagalongs (LBB) vs. Peanut Butter Patties (ABC): Both are peanut butter cookies dipped in a chocolatey coating. Tagalongs, from Little Brownie Bakers, contain milk and are not vegan. The ABC version, Peanut Butter Patties, is made with vegan ingredients. This is a prime example of why checking your local bakery's cookies is essential.
Comparison of Vegan Girl Scout Cookies by Bakery
| Feature | ABC Bakers | Little Brownie Bakers |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Vegan Options | Multiple (varieties like Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, etc.) | One (Thin Mints) |
| Thin Mints | Yes, made with vegan ingredients | Yes, made with vegan ingredients |
| Peanut Butter Cookie | Peanut Butter Patties (Vegan) | Tagalongs (Not Vegan) |
| Lemon Cookie | Lemonades (Vegan) | Lemon-Ups (Not Vegan) |
| Caramel-Coconut Cookie | Caramel deLites (Not Vegan) | Samoas (Not Vegan) |
| Gluten-Free Option | Caramel Chocolate Chip (Vegan) | Toffee-tastic (Not Vegan) |
A Note on Allergen Cross-Contamination
For those with severe dairy allergies, it is important to be aware of potential cross-contamination. While cookies like ABC Bakers' Peanut Butter Patties are made with vegan ingredients, the bakery states that they may be produced on shared equipment with items containing dairy. This information is typically available on the bakery's or Girl Scouts' FAQ pages and on the packaging. For many vegans, this is an acceptable risk, but for those with allergies, it requires careful consideration.
How to Find Your Vegan-Friendly Girl Scout Cookies
- Identify Your Bakery: Use the official Girl Scouts website or your local council's page to determine which bakery supplies your area. This is the most important step for finding vegan cookies.
- Check the Menu: Once you know your bakery, review their cookie list to see your options. Remember that ABC Bakers offers more variety than Little Brownie Bakers.
- Use the Digital Cookie Platform: The Girl Scouts' Digital Cookie platform allows for online ordering and can often be used to find a troop that sells cookies from a specific bakery, especially for the online-exclusive Raspberry Rally cookies in the past.
- Ask at Booths: When visiting a cookie booth, ask the Girl Scout which cookies are vegan. They are often knowledgeable about allergens and can confirm the options for their particular bakery.
Conclusion: Your Vegan Cookie Quest is Possible
In summary, the answer to 'are any of the Girl Scout Cookies vegan?' is a resounding yes, but with a significant regional caveat. The availability of vegan options is entirely dependent on whether your local council is served by ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers. While ABC Bakers provides a selection of treats like Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, and the Gluten-Free Caramel Chocolate Chip, Little Brownie Bakers' only vegan offering is Thin Mints. By doing a little research into your local bakery, you can navigate the cookie-selling season with confidence and find delicious plant-based snacks. You can learn more about the complete lineup and ingredients for each cookie on the Girl Scouts Meet the Cookies page.
