Understanding the Two Girl Scout Cookie Bakeries
The most important detail for any vegan looking to purchase Girl Scout cookies is understanding the role of the two licensed bakeries: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. Each Girl Scout council in the country contracts with only one of these two companies, which have different recipes and ingredient lists for their cookies, even for flavors with similar or identical names. This crucial distinction means that a cookie that is vegan from one bakery may not be from the other. You must know which bakery your local troop uses to identify which products are suitable for a vegan diet.
How to Determine Your Local Bakery
- Check the Box: The easiest way is to read the fine print on the cookie box itself, which will explicitly state the manufacturer.
- Use the Girl Scout Website: The official Girl Scout Cookie website or your local council's page often has information on the baker that supplies your area.
- Ask the Scout: When purchasing from a booth, simply ask the troop or parent which bakery they use. They should have this information readily available, often with a dedicated allergen guide.
The Complete 2025 Vegan Cookie Breakdown
For the 2025 season, the vegan offerings from each bakery differ significantly. This is your guide to which cookies are safe to enjoy, keeping in mind that these products are made with vegan ingredients but in facilities that may also process dairy and eggs.
ABC Bakers' Vegan Cookies
ABC Bakers offers a more extensive selection of vegan-friendly cookies for the 2025 season.
- Thin Mints®: The classic crispy, chocolatey, minty favorite is made with vegan ingredients by both bakeries, making it a universally safe choice.
- Peanut Butter Patties®: This crunchy vanilla cookie with peanut butter and a chocolaty coating is vegan from ABC Bakers. Be cautious, as its counterpart from Little Brownie Bakers contains milk.
- Lemonades®: A savory shortbread with a tangy lemon icing, the Lemonades from ABC Bakers are a safe and delicious option. Do not confuse them with Lemon-Ups® from the other bakery, which are not vegan.
- Adventurefuls®: The brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored créme and a hint of sea salt is vegan when made by ABC Bakers. Again, this differs from the non-vegan version offered by Little Brownie Bakers.
- Caramel Chocolate Chip: This gluten-free and vegan cookie was reformulated in 2022 to be dairy and egg-free. It is an online-only exclusive from ABC Bakers.
Little Brownie Bakers' Vegan Cookies
For councils supplied by Little Brownie Bakers, the options are far more limited.
- Thin Mints®: As with ABC Bakers, Little Brownie Bakers also makes their Thin Mints with vegan ingredients, though the recipe and texture might differ slightly. This remains the sole vegan-friendly option from this bakery.
Discontinued Flavors and What to Know
It is important to note that the Girl Scout cookie lineup changes periodically. The Toast-Yay!®, a popular vegan option from ABC Bakers, was discontinued after the 2025 cookie season. Similarly, the Raspberry Rally™, a vegan, online-exclusive cookie, was available from ABC Bakers for the 2023 season but was not part of the 2025 lineup. Staying up-to-date with the current year's offerings is essential for dedicated cookie lovers.
Comparison of ABC Bakers vs. Little Brownie Bakers Vegan Cookies (2025)
| Cookie Name (ABC Bakers) | Vegan Status (ABC) | Counterpart (LBB) | Vegan Status (LBB) | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin Mints® | Yes | Thin Mints® | Yes | ABC version is flatter and crunchier; LBB is smoother with a stronger peppermint oil taste. |
| Peanut Butter Patties® | Yes | Tagalongs® | No | LBB's Tagalongs contain milk ingredients. |
| Lemonades® | Yes | Lemon-Ups® | No | LBB's Lemon-Ups contain milk and have a different flavor profile. |
| Adventurefuls® | Yes | Adventurefuls® | No | LBB's version uses milk in its caramel créme filling. |
| Caramel Chocolate Chip | Yes | Toffee-tastic® | No | CCC is vegan and gluten-free (online only); Toffee-tastic contains butter. |
Potential for Cross-Contamination
While certain cookies are made without animal-derived ingredients, they are produced on shared equipment or in facilities that also process milk, eggs, and other allergens. This presents a risk of cross-contamination. Most allergen guides will use wording like "Made with vegan ingredients" rather than "Certified Vegan" for this reason. Individuals with severe allergies should always exercise caution, but for those following a vegan diet for ethical or environmental reasons, these cookies are a suitable choice. For precise details on manufacturing processes, it is best to consult the bakeries' specific FAQs pages.
Conclusion: Navigating the Cookie Aisle with Confidence
For vegans, navigating the Girl Scout cookie season requires paying close attention to which of the two bakeries, ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers, produces the cookies sold in their region. By identifying your local council's supplier, you can easily determine which delicious treats are made with vegan ingredients. With a variety of choices available from ABC Bakers and the consistent vegan Thin Mints from both, there are plenty of options to support Girl Scouts and enjoy a plant-based treat. Always double-check the packaging for the most current ingredient information, but armed with this knowledge, you can confidently make your next purchase. For more information, including specific allergen details, you can visit the official ABC Bakers website.
