The 2023 VegNews Guide to Vegan Girl Scout Cookies

January 19, 2023 –
From Vegnews

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Like PSL season, the Girl Scouts Cookie season starts earlier and earlier. Of course, we’re not complaining. From January to April, we’re keeping an eye out for the girls in green sashes selling their deliciously addictive (and increasingly vegan-friendly) cookies. These treats aren’t just for us, though. Every box sold helps a Scout learn essential skills in entrepreneurship, compassion, and communication. To keep up with the times, the Scouts are also implementing new delivery and pre-order methods to get cookies into your hands anywhere you are.

A tale of two bakeries

Girl Scouts Cookies are made by one of two bakeries: ABC Bakers (which offers six vegan cookie options: Toast-Yay, Peanut Butter Patties, Thin Mints, Lemonades, Raspberry Rallies, and Caramel Chocolate Chip) and Little Brownie Bakers (which offers two vegan cookie options: Thin Mints and Raspberry Rallies).

The bakeries each service different regions, so depending on your location, your vegan-friendly options will differ. To check which bakery makes the cookies sold by your local troop, check out this map by Wide Open Eats. Have limited vegan options in your area and are looking to get your hands on more? Check out the Girl Scouts Council Finder to find a troop serviced by ABC Bakers and ask about their Digital Cookie platform for shipping options.

Vegan Girl Scouts cookies

1 Raspberry Rally

Watch out, Thin Mints, this cookie may just usurp you. The Girl Scouts’ newest cookie, the Raspberry Rally, reimagines the classic Thin Mint with raspberry flavor instead of mint. Made by both bakeries using vegan ingredients, you’re always in the clear with this chocolate-enrobed treat.

How you help: The Raspberry Rally is the first cookie to be exclusively available online. When you purchase a box, you’re helping Scouts hone their e-commerce skills. So what are you waiting for? We’ve never clicked “add to cart” this fast—they’re for a good cause, after all.

How VegNews editors eat them: Stacked atop a Peanut Butter Pattie for the ultimate PB&J.

2 Caramel Chocolate Chip

The classic Caramel Chocolate Chip cookie just got a major makeover! You may have seen this cookie in years past, but this year, it’s back without animal ingredients for the first time. If that’s not cause for celebration, we don’t know what is. Bonus: it’s also making history as the Girl Scouts’ first vegan and gluten-free cookie.

How you help: A box of these cookies doesn’t just promise sweet indulgence, it also helps Scouts develop their people skills. In a world where networking is everything, it’s never too early to get started.

How VegNews editors eat them: Dunked into a tall, cold glass of oat milk. Don’t mess with the classics.

3 Toast-Yay

Watch out, Thin Mints, a new favorite cookie may usurp you. These toast-shaped treats are buttery, cinnamony, and delightfully sweet without an ounce of animal ingredients. Exclusively made by ABC Bakers with vegan ingredients, Toast-Yays are always vegan, so you’re in the clear! The only question of the season will be: do you eat your Toast-Yays icing-side down or rightside up?

How you help: Each box of Toast-Yays translates to real-world business and customer service training. Scouts gain sales acumen, team-work smarts, and confidence to grow into their true #girlboss selves.

How VegNews editors eat them: Like Cinnamon French Toast cereal—floating in a bowl of cashew milk. Don’t judge.

4 Peanut Butter Patties

If the peanut butter cup could be improved, Peanut Butter Patties are it. Crispy vanilla cookies are topped with sweet, creamy peanut butter and enrobed in vegan chocolate. Make sure you don’t mistake them for Tagalongs, though. While Peanut Butter Patties made by ABC Bakers are vegan, their cousins—Tagalongs, made by Little Brownie Bakers—contain milk.

How you help: In a world of endless options and pathways prompted by marketing and social media, these crispy yet creamy cookies focus on teaching a life skill we wish we managed better: decision making. Scouts are taught how to plan, solve problems, commit to action, and think creatively. At least we can be decisive about one thing—we want these cookies.

How VegNews editors eat them: Sandwiched with Dandies vegan marshmallows to make a peanut buttery s’more.

5 Thin Mints

These eat-the-whole-box minty chocolate cookies remain best-sellers year after year. They’re great crumbled into non-dairy ice cream, dunked into hot chocolate, and of course, nibbled straight from the box! Pro-tip: don’t break your head—both ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers make these cult favorite cookies with vegan ingredients.

How you help: These popular cookies help teach a skill we could all improve on: money management. Scouts learn how to track orders, keep records, and develop essential skills necessary for any young entrepreneur.

How VegNews editors eat them: Straight from the freezer for a minty cool treat.

6 Lemonades

Pucker up! These citrusy shortbread cookies balance tart and sweet with a tangy lemon icing and a sweet, crumbly base. Don’t confuse them with Lemon-Ups—as this cookie, made by Little Brownie Bakers, contains milk.

How you help: When you hand over your five dollars for a box of these citrusy sweets, you’re contributing to a Scout’s goal-setting skills. Girls learn how to organize a sale, build goals, and follow through.

How VegNews editors eat them: Crushed, mixed with melted Miyoko’s butter, and pressed into a pie crust for a fluffy aquafaba-based lemon meringue pie.

Prefer to make your own cookies? Check out these delicious veganized versions.