By Betty Kaldas & Hannah Lazarte
Chocolatey mint, French toast, caramel brownies, peanut butter… Whether advertised by your friends or seen being sold around your community, you will most likely see Girl Scout cookies being passed around for the next couple of months.
Every year, Girl Scout cookies are sold in-person, online and sometimes at booths in your neighborhood. The fundraisers are used to teach girls about entrepreneurship and fund activities in their troop, allowing them to learn useful life skills while having fun.
Girl Scout cookies are a popular treat widely loved by all, especially during the time between January to April when they are sold. Whereas some may buy the cookies to support the troops themselves, they are mainly bought by the public for their nostalgic taste and flavor.
All cookies are equal, but some cookies are more equal than others. While each cookie has its own unique flavor, and taste is subjective, there are some flavors that rise above the rest. So let’s take a look at them one by one—and decide among nine flavors which come out on top.
9. Lemon-Ups (+Lemonades)
While a unique flavor, Lemon-Ups are put at the bottom of the list because lemon is never a good flavor for anything but lemonade. Lemon-Ups feature positive quotes on the cookies as a way to incorporate Girl Scouts’ positive attitude into the cookies they sell.
First debuted in 2020, Lemon-Ups were generally well liked as they featured a tart flavor that was different from the rest of the lineup. However, they are nowhere near the popularity level of other cookies. We have personally never met anyone whose favorite Girl Scout cookies are Lemon-Ups, which puts them at ninth place.
8. Do-si-Dos
Featuring a distinct oatmeal flavor with a creamy peanut butter filling, Do-si-Dos first came out during the 1950’s and quickly became a staple among the lineup alongside Thin Mints. They were part of an effort to create variation among the Girl Scout cookies, and succeeded in doing so as the lineup grew more diverse.
Although they aren’t absolutely terrible, Do-si-Dos just aren’t as popular as other cookies. They also have an odd combination of flavors; oatmeal and peanut butter make for a nauseating breakfast rather than a pleasant cookie. These factors combined land the cookie at eighth.
7. Toffee-Tastic
A more recent addition to the Girl Scout cookie collection, Toffee-Tastic cookies were first released in 2015. They were instantly known for being the first gluten-free cookie option, once again widening the horizons of Girl Scout cookies and showing the importance of inclusion within the troops, even in cuisine.
The fact that the cookie is gluten-free does not affect its flavor. Toffee is a very unique confectionary, and only appeals to some people. In this case, it does not appeal very much to us, placing the Toffee-Tastic cookie at fantastic seventh place.
6. Trefoils
One of the very first Girl Scout cookies, Trefoils have been around since 1934. They feature a well known shortbread recipe and are in the symbolic shape of a trefoil, which is a three-lobed symbol representing the Girl Scouts organization.
Trefoils are an iconic Girl Scout cookie and a powerful symbol of their operation and mission. As for their flavor, Trefoils taste good but are bland and basic, no big surprise for a cookie first made popular during the 1930s. This causes them to be put at a solid sixth place.
5. Caramel deLites (+Samoas)
A popular flavor and frequently bought, Caramel deLites were first released in 1982 and are similar to Samoas, another Girl Scout cookie. They feature a caramel and chocolate combination, making for a pleasant cookie and well-liked by most.
Caramel deLites are one of the top selling cookies and top most cookies, including Samoas. Their caramel and coconut flavors are stronger and more indulgent than Samoas and are a staple cookie among the lineup, making the top five list at fifth place.
4. Exploremores
The most recent addition to the Girl Scout cookie lineup, Exploremores came out this year and are quickly rising in popularity. The sandwich cookies are similar in taste to that of smores, and feature marshmallow and chocolate flavors that make for a delicious combination.
Although they are still new, Exploremores are rising the charts and quickly becoming popular. The smores flavor matches the camp vibes of the Girl Scouts, and is a fun addition to the collection. This puts Exploremores at fourth place.
3. Thin Mints
When people say they like Girl Scout cookies for their nostalgia, they’re most likely talking about Thin Mints. The flavor has existed since 1939, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is one of the best cookies out there. From its chocolate coating to its peppermint-flavored inside, it has the perfect balance and smoothness many people crave.
However, with its mint taste, some may say that it tastes a little like chocolate and toothpaste. While we mostly disagree with that idea, it certainly gets too minty after eating one too many cookies. All of these factors put Thin Mints in third place on the podium.
2. Tagalongs
The better of the two peanut two peanut butter cookies, Tagalongs are great for peanut butter lovers. They were first released during the 1970s and have become an acknowledged Girl Scout cookie. Featuring crisp layers connected with peanut butter cream and dipped in creamy chocolate, they are a delicious cookie that cannot be argued with.
Tagalongs are another top selling cookie, and deservedly so. Their popularity and delicious flavor land them the runner-up spot at second place on the podium.
1. Adventurefuls
First released in 2022, Adventurefuls match their name with their fun and adventurous flavors. Inspired by a brownie, they expertly balance out sweet and salty flavors to create the best Girl Scout cookie available.
While you may disagree with this choice, Adventurefuls continue to be one of the best and most popular Girl Scout cookies out there. Despite being a relatively new cookie, their brownie and caramel flavors continue to be the most loved combination on the Girl Scout lineup, landing them the first place spot on the podium.
Among nine places, Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Adventurefuls steal the spotlight among the Girl Scout cookie lineup. Feel free to disagree with our choices, but as expert Girl Scout cookie eaters, we believe we’ve got it down on the most popular confections.
Girl Scout cookies are most likely still being sold around your community, so if you want to see how accurate of a review this was of the beloved cookies, make sure to buy from your local Girl Scout before the end of April!
