Everyone loves Girl Scout Cookie season. I’ve been a Girl Scout since the 6th grade, and traditionally have to pound the pavement, going door to door in my quest to fulfill my sales quota. However, since I’ve entered high school, my door-knocking days are over. My customers flock to me to place their orders in multiples, without so much as a sales pitch from me.
Girl Scout cookies are as American as apple pie and cookouts on the 4th of July. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t have a favorite flavor. From the classic Thin Mints to the more recent addition of the tasty Adventurefuls, Girl Scout cookies have something that everyone can enjoy.
Thin Mints: It simply wouldn’t be a Girl Scout cookie review without mentioning the iconic Thin Mints. By far the most popular cookie, Thin Mints account for 25% of the 200 million cookies sold each year. Thin Mints are, without doubt, a crowd pleaser. But while I do love a good Thin Mint (even better when kept in the fridge or freezer), this cookie is not my favorite. I find the chocolate flavor too bland after a while. One Thin Mint is fine, but after a while, the comforting taste disappears and you realize that the flavor of the cookies isn’t that appealing.
Samoas: Another fan favorite, Samoas are a little more texturally interesting than your average cookie. I personally love Samoas. I like the combination of the crunch of the cookie, the chew of the caramel and the texture of the coconut. The hint of chocolate is the perfect compliment to the sweet caramel and subtly toasted coconut flavor.
Smores: The S’mores cookie is one of the least popular cookies, and in all honesty, I’m not sure why. If I had to list my least favorite cookies, I’d say Do-si-dos and Lemon-ups are easily less appealing than the S’mores. Not only are these cookies non-GMO (how progressive), but they are tasty. Sure, they don’t taste exactly like the authentic campfire smores that we all know and love, but they do give you a reference to all of those flavors. While I do admit that they have an artificial aftertaste, they are a mass-produced packaged cookie, and I don’t expect home-baked flavor from them. They aren’t incredible, but they aren’t “horrible”, as Reddit user Affectionate_Iron998 would say.
Tagalongs: These would have to be my favorite. I’m a sucker for the chocolate-peanut butter combination. The salty peanut butter is the perfect vehicle for the sweet and smooth chocolate. For those who want a Girl Scout cookie that gives both the salt and the sweet, Tagalongs are the way to go. On another note, the other peanut-forward Girl Scout cookie is the Do-Si-Do. These are the antithesis of the glorious Tagalongs. Gone is the pleasing texture of the shortbread base of the Tagalong; instead, Do-Si-Dos are akin to chalk bites. I know I’m a Girl Scout, and I shouldn’t slander our product, but I’ve never met a person who enjoys eating Do-Si-Dos, and I don’t think I ever will. If you love them, I’m sorry, and please tell me what you see in them.
Of course, this is just a sampling of the vast catalog of Girl Scout cookie offerings. Girl Scout cookies are often regional, with different selections available in different places. Additionally, the Girl Scouts are offering some online-only options. A new online variety is the Raspberry Rallies. I’ve had the pleasure of trying these cookies once. If you want a Thin Mint, but want to forgo the mint, you will love these cookies! They have the same crunchy wafer as the Thin Mint, but in a raspberry-flavored version, with the same chocolate coating. The raspberry flavor is very subtle, but the cookie is yummy. The Adventurefuls are another tasty option. Who doesn’t like chocolate and caramel? Trefoils are good, a plain shortbread without any adornments: not my favorite, but not my least favorite. My grandma loves them, and I’m sure that I’d like them more if they were a bit softer. Toffee Tastics fall in the same category. Lemon-ups aren’t worthy of much review in my opinion, as I’ve never sold a single box— probably because they aren’t appealing in any way, as the lemon flavor is overshadowed by the rock-hard texture.
Girl Scout cookies are fun, sweet, and nostalgic treats. They may not taste like your mom’s fresh baked cookies, but they are just as comforting. In a rapidly changing world, it is nice to know that some things are classic and timeless.
