The Definitive Guide to Girl Scout Cookies

Regional Differences, The Two Bakers, and Why the Same Cookies Have Different Names

Every winter, a familiar ritual begins across the United States. Order forms circulate. Booths appear outside grocery stores. Adults who claim they are “just supporting the kids” suddenly have six boxes of Thin Mints in their freezer.

But behind the nostalgia and the sugar rush is a surprisingly complex system. Girl Scout Cookies are not made by one bakery. They do not taste identical nationwide. And yes, the same cookie can have two completely different names depending on where you live.

If you have ever wondered why Samoas and Caramel deLites exist at the same time, or why your friend in another state swears their Thin Mints taste different, this is the full breakdown.

A Brief History of Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scouts began selling cookies as a fundraiser in 1917. Early troops baked cookies themselves and sold them door to door. By the 1930s, the organization partnered with commercial bakers to scale production.

Today, Girl Scout Cookies generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The program is not just about fundraising. It is a leadership and entrepreneurship initiative that teaches girls:

• Goal setting
• Financial literacy
• Marketing
• Customer service
• Business ethics

The cookies fund local troop activities, camps, travel, and community projects. Councils keep a significant portion of proceeds locally, which is an important detail when we discuss regional variation.

The Big Reason for Regional Differences: Two Licensed Bakers

Here is the key fact most people do not know:

Girl Scout Cookies are produced by two different licensed commercial bakeries.

Those bakeries are:

• ABC Bakers
• Little Brownie Bakers

Each local Girl Scout council chooses which bakery to contract with. There are over 100 councils nationwide, and they do not all choose the same supplier.

That single structural decision is why cookies vary across the country.

Each bakery:

• Develops its own recipes
• Uses slightly different ingredient ratios
• Designs its own packaging
• Creates its own cookie names

The result is a shared national brand with regionally distinct execution.

Why the Same Cookie Has Two Different Names

The two bakeries cannot use identical product names across all councils. Branding and trademark structures differ between them. So while the cookie concept may be nearly identical, the name often changes depending on the supplier.

Here are the most common dual identities.

Samoas vs Caramel deLites

This is the most famous name divide.

Little Brownie Bakers: Samoas

ABC Bakers: Caramel deLites

Both feature:

• Caramel coating
• Toasted coconut
• Chocolate drizzle
• A crisp base

However, they are not identical.

Samoas are typically described as having:

• Darker chocolate
• Slightly richer caramel
• More robust coconut flavor

Caramel deLites often have:

• Lighter chocolate
• A slightly more vanilla-forward base
• A thinner caramel layer

To casual eaters, they are extremely similar. To loyalists, the differences are obvious.

Tagalongs vs Peanut Butter Patties

Little Brownie Bakers: Tagalongs

ABC Bakers: Peanut Butter Patties

Both consist of:

• A shortbread-style base
• A peanut butter layer
• Chocolate coating

Subtle differences include:

• Thickness of the peanut butter layer
• Chocolate type
• Cookie-to-filling ratio

Some find Tagalongs slightly heavier on peanut butter. Others say Peanut Butter Patties feel more balanced. Again, the structure is the same. The formulation differs.

Do-si-dos vs Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Little Brownie Bakers: Do-si-dos

ABC Bakers: Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Both are oatmeal sandwich cookies with peanut butter filling.

Common differences reported:

• Do-si-dos tend to be crunchier
• Peanut Butter Sandwiches may have a softer texture
• Filling sweetness levels vary slightly

Trefoils vs Shortbread

Little Brownie Bakers: Trefoils

ABC Bakers: Shortbread

These are the classic, simple butter cookies. Differences are minimal, but ingredient sourcing and fat ratios create subtle texture shifts.

Lemon-Ups vs Lemonades

Little Brownie Bakers: Lemon-Ups

ABC Bakers: Lemonades

Both are lemon-forward cookies, but their structure differs.

Lemon-Ups are typically crisp cookies with inspirational messages baked into the top.

Lemonades often feature a shortbread base with lemon icing on the underside.

They share flavor direction but not identical design.

Thin Mints: The Exception That Proves the Rule

Thin Mints keep the same name across both bakeries. However, they are still not identical.

Differences may include:

• Chocolate formulation
• Mint intensity
• Crispness of the wafer

Many people freeze Thin Mints, which can mask subtle differences, but side-by-side comparisons reveal variation.

Thin Mints remain the top-selling Girl Scout Cookie nationwide.

Why Councils Choose Different Bakers

Each Girl Scout council operates independently within the national framework. When selecting a bakery partner, councils evaluate:

• Pricing structure
• Distribution logistics
• Production capacity
• Contract terms
• Product lineup

There is no single national mandate requiring one supplier. This decentralized model helps councils maintain autonomy but creates variation in the marketplace.

Even neighboring states may carry different cookie names.

Are the Ingredients the Same Nationwide?

Not exactly.

While the overall concept of each cookie type is aligned, ingredient lists can differ slightly between bakers. Variations may include:

• Chocolate type
• Palm oil sourcing
• Sweetener ratios
• Texture modifiers

Nutrition labels are not always identical across versions of the same conceptual cookie.

For consumers with allergies or dietary preferences, checking the specific box in your region is important.

How Cookie Lineups Change Over Time

Girl Scout Cookies are not static. Flavors are introduced and retired based on:

• Sales performance
• Production feasibility
• Consumer demand
• Ingredient cost
• Marketing strategy

Over the years, limited edition flavors have included:

• S’mores
• Toast-Yay
• Adventurefuls
• Raspberry Rally

Some remain permanently discontinued. Others are seasonal experiments.

Because two bakers exist, sometimes one bakery produces a flavor that the other does not, creating even more regional exclusivity.

How the Cookie Program Works Financially

Understanding the economics clarifies why the system is structured this way.

Revenue from cookie sales typically flows like this:

• A portion goes to the bakery for production
• A portion supports the local Girl Scout council
• A portion goes directly to the troop

Troops use funds for:

• Camp
• Travel
• Community projects
• Supplies
• Programming

The cookie program is designed to teach real-world business skills. Girls set sales goals, manage inventory, and handle customer interactions.

It is both a product launch and a training ground.

Cultural Impact and Consumer Behavior

Girl Scout Cookies have become a seasonal ritual in the United States.

Key patterns include:

• Bulk purchasing behavior
• Freezer storage of Thin Mints
• Office pooling orders
• Regional loyalty debates
• Online resale attempts

The limited sales window increases demand through scarcity. Consumers know they cannot buy them year-round, which drives urgency.

The program’s structure also reinforces community interaction, as most purchases occur through personal networks or in-person booths.

Why This System Persists

From a branding perspective, having two bakers might seem inefficient. But it offers advantages:

• Redundancy in supply chain
• Competitive quality control
• Regional flexibility
• Production scalability

The dual-baker model has existed for decades and continues to function effectively.

Most consumers never notice the difference unless they move across state lines.

The Bottom Line

Girl Scout Cookies are a national brand delivered through a decentralized system.

There are two licensed bakers: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. Local councils choose their supplier. That decision determines:

• Cookie names
• Slight recipe variations
• Packaging design
• Available flavors

Samoas and Caramel deLites are structurally similar but not identical. Tagalongs and Peanut Butter Patties share a concept but differ in execution. Thin Mints keep their name but vary in formulation.

What appears to be inconsistency is actually the result of a carefully structured national fundraising program built on regional autonomy.

And that is why your cookie box may look different from your friend’s across the country.