At this very moment, we are smack in the middle of a delicious part of winter: Girl Scout cookie season. My head says I should be working out and preparing for spring, while my taste buds say “shovel that box of cookies into your face hole while you watch basketball!” But not all of these cookies are created equal.
Girl Scout S’mores
This new addition for 2017 comes in two forms and what is available in your area depends on which baker your local Girl Scouts use. The first form has two graham cracker cookies with a layer of chocolate and marshmallow filling. The version I tried is a graham cracker cookie dipped in crème icing and coated in chocolate.
The S’mores not only have my complete approval, they won over the adorable Girl Scout who sold them to me as well. I wasn’t sure how much marshmallow flavor would actually come through, but it’s there and it’s amazing.
9/10 Will dismantle your willpower faster than you can say, “I need another box.”
Thin Mints
Thin Mints are chocolate cookies with a thin layer of chocolate on top. These are the de facto favorite of most people I know, but they don’t really do it for me. I barely pick up any mint flavor and the overwhelming taste I get is dry cookie. I also have a thing about chocolate that doesn’t taste like true chocolate. For example, chocolate ice cream is made with chocolate, but it doesn’t taste as rich as a chocolate bar. It’s the same with these cookies. So for those reasons, I don’t feel the Thin Mint passion. But if you like darker chocolate or a slightly less sweet cookie, you may enjoy these more.
6/10 Please don’t hurt me, #ThinMintsHive.
Caramel DeLites/Samoas
The name of this cookie will depend on the baker that made them, but they are more or less the same. I was scared away from these as a young Girl Scout because of the toasted coconut shavings on top, but I tried them at a friend’s house and fell in love.
The chocolate and caramel make an unbeatable combination and the coconut is very mild. They have quickly become my favorite cookie and it’s not even close. As a bonus, if you have a killer craving outside of Girl Scout season, Keebler makes a dupe that’s available in grocery stores.
10/10 I’m going to need bigger pants.
Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs
Tagalongs are a classic mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and cookie. Hard to go wrong with that! They were my original favorite as a kid so I always buy at least one box. The chocolate is generous and the peanut butter level is moderate enough to keep it from being too dry. I don’t know why you would intentionally share your cookies, but if you want to, these are your most bankable option.
8/10 Would eat too many and only half regret it.
Shortbread/Trefoils
These are exactly what the name says: shortbread. No fuss, just good shortbread cookies. They are the perfect cookie for convincing your parents to let you have more because there’s no chocolate so they’re *basically* healthy!
6/10 Would use as a delicious palate cleanser after overdosing on sugar.
Do-si-dos/Peanut Butter Sandwich
Do-si-dos have been around forever, but I confess that I’ve never tried them. They are cookie sandwiches with peanut butter in the middle. So if you love peanut butter or hate chocolate, and I know there are some of you monsters out there, this might be your cookie. I’d recommend a tall glass of milk though because it sounds like a mouthful of dry, sticky crumbs to me.
4/10 Any cookie is better than no cookie.
Lemonades and Savannah Smiles
I haven’t tried these two lemon cookies because I’m not 80 years old. Having fruit in or, god forbid, as your dessert is an old person tradition and I’m sure they love these options.
Lemonades are shortbread cookies with lemon icing and Savannah Smiles are lemon flavored and look kind of like scones with powdered sugar on top. Someday when a doctor tells me that my sugar days are over, I’ll be all over these.
3/10 I’m counting it as a serving of fruit.
Thanks-A-Lot
Back in my day, these cookies were called All Abouts and told the story of Girl Scouts on the cookie. Now, they say “thank you” in multiple languages. Either way, they deliver the classic shortbread with a nice layer of chocolate on the bottom for those of us think it’s not a real dessert if there’s no chocolate.
As an added bonus, the name is teaching a new generation of girls that “a lot” is two words.
7/10 Would tell myself eating two more is educational.
Toffee-tastic and Trios
These are the two gluten-free options. Toffee-tastic are, well, cookies with toffee bits in them. Trios are peanut butter oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips. They are $1 more per box, but it’s pretty cool that kids with Celiac disease can enjoy Girl Scout cookies too.
Since gluten and I are cool, I’m going to stick with my Samoas, but I trust that Girl Scouts has a good alternative here.
5/10 Inclusivity FTW.
No matter your favorite Girl Scout cookie, supporting life skills, teamwork, and learning opportunities for young girls is a great cause. You can see photos and nutrition facts for all the cookies on the Girl Scout website and search for booths where you can buy from your local troops.