A Tale of Two Cookies: Why Girl Scout S'mores Are Not Vegan
For many, the appeal of a s'more is in its simplicity: a toasted marshmallow and chocolate, sandwiched between two graham crackers. The Girl Scouts brought this classic treat to the cookie box with their Girl Scout S'mores, a popular cookie that many vegans have hoped would be plant-based. Unfortunately, the version produced by Little Brownie Bakers, which served much of the country, contained milk derivatives, including whey, rendering it non-vegan. The ingredients list for this cookie clearly showed components derived from milk, confirming it was not vegan-friendly.
To add to the confusion, a different, chocolate-coated S'mores cookie was previously offered by the other official Girl Scout bakery, ABC Bakers. For a time, this version was vegan-friendly, but it was officially discontinued in 2021. This means that regardless of location, no vegan version of a Girl Scout S'mores cookie has been available for years. Furthermore, the cookie was fully retired from the lineup after the 2025 cookie season, replaced by a new flavor called Exploremores™.
The Importance of Checking Bakery Information
Understanding that Girl Scout cookies come from two different licensed bakeries, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, is crucial for vegan consumers. The regional differences in cookie varieties, names, and ingredients can be a source of frustration. For instance, while Little Brownie Bakers' S'mores were not vegan, the bakery did offer Thin Mints with vegan ingredients. To determine which bakery serves a specific area, cookie enthusiasts can check the Girl Scouts website or contact their local council. The difference in ingredients is why a Peanut Butter Pattie from ABC Bakers is vegan, but a Tagalong from Little Brownie Bakers is not, as the latter contains milk.
Comparison of Vegan and Non-Vegan Girl Scout Cookies
Here is a simple comparison to help navigate the different cookies offered by each bakery. Please note that recipes and availability can change, and it's always best to check the official Girl Scout website or the cookie package itself for the most current information.
| Cookie Type | Bakery | Vegan? | Key Non-Vegan Ingredient | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S'mores | Little Brownie Bakers | No | Milk, Whey | Retired (After 2025) |
| S'mores (Chocolate Coated) | ABC Bakers | N/A | Previously Vegan-Friendly | Discontinued (2021) |
| Thin Mints | Both | Yes | None | Available |
| Peanut Butter Patties | ABC Bakers | Yes | None | Available |
| Tagalongs | Little Brownie Bakers | No | Milk | Available |
| Lemonades | ABC Bakers | Yes | None | Available |
| Toast-Yay! | ABC Bakers | Yes | None | Retired (After 2025) |
| Exploremores™ | Varies | Unknown | Varies (check ingredients) | New (2025) |
Finding Your Vegan Girl Scout Cookie Fix
With Girl Scout S'mores off the market, vegans have other excellent options to enjoy during cookie season. Thin Mints are the most widely available and are vegan regardless of which bakery supplies your local troop. If you are in an ABC Bakers region, you can also enjoy Peanut Butter Patties and Lemonades. If your local council is served by Little Brownie Bakers, you may be able to order vegan cookies from an ABC Bakers region through a Digital Cookie platform, if available.
Making Your Own Vegan S'mores Cookies at Home
For those who miss the s'mores flavor, creating a vegan version at home is a simple and rewarding process. This allows complete control over ingredients, ensuring everything is plant-based, from the graham crackers to the marshmallows.
Vegan S'mores Cookie Ingredients:
- Vegan Graham Crackers: Check the ingredients of several brands, as many contain honey. Look for versions with no animal products. You will likely need to crush these for the cookie base.
- Vegan Marshmallows: Companies like Dandies offer vegan marshmallows made without gelatin. Smaller marshmallows work best for baking.
- Vegan Chocolate: Use a high-quality dark chocolate bar or chips that are explicitly labeled vegan.
- Vegan Butter: Many plant-based butters are widely available in grocery stores.
The Process:
- Prepare the Base: Create a dough by blending crushed vegan graham crackers with vegan butter and sugar. Some recipes add a flax egg for binding.
- Assemble the Cookies: Press the dough onto a baking sheet. Top each cookie with a small piece of vegan marshmallow and some vegan chocolate.
- Bake and Enjoy: Bake until the cookie base is cooked through and the marshmallow is gooey and slightly toasted.
By following a simple recipe, you can recreate the nostalgia of s'mores with confidence, knowing every ingredient is vegan-friendly. This is a great way to enjoy the classic flavor while still supporting your ethical choices.
Conclusion
To put it plainly, Girl Scout S'mores cookies are not vegan because they contain milk products and are not suitable for a plant-based diet. This is an important distinction to make, as the cookie world can be confusing with regional differences and discontinued products. While the older, formerly vegan-friendly version from ABC Bakers was retired, and the cookie itself has been permanently discontinued, vegans still have great options during cookie season, including Thin Mints and other flavors from ABC Bakers. For those who crave the classic s'mores taste, making your own vegan version at home is the best way to ensure your treat is entirely plant-based. Remember to always check ingredients for the most up-to-date dietary information.
