Girl Scout Cookies are cookies sold as a fundraiser by the Girl Scouts of the USA. The cookies are available in several flavors and varieties, including Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. These cookies are very popular because of their distinct and tasty flavor and the nostalgia and tradition associated with the Girl Scouts.
For those, who commit to a plant-based diet, knowing which Girl Scout Cookies are suitable for vegans is essential. Many flavors contain animal-derived ingredients like butter, milk, and eggs. However, there are six options for vegan cookies! This article will provide a guide to vegan-friendly Girl Scout Cookies.
Keep reading to learn more!
Key Takeaways
- The vegan-friendly Girl Scout Cookies are Thin Mints, Toast Yay, Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, Caramel Chocolate Chip, and Raspberry Rally.
- A vegan cookie is a type of plant-based cookie that excludes all animal-derived foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey.
- Vegans who still want to support the Girl Scouts can make a direct donation to the organization, volunteer their time with a local troop, or purchase non-food items such as Girl Scout merchandise.
What Makes a Cookie Vegan?
What is a vegan diet? A vegan diet is a type of plant-based diet that excludes all animal-derived foods, including meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey. The focus is on consuming plant-based foods such as high-protein fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds.
Some common ingredients in cookies, such as butter and milk chocolate, are not considered vegan because they come from animal sources. Butter is made from cow's milk, while milk chocolate contains milk. Additionally, many cookies may contain eggs as a binding agent.
For those following a vegan diet, there are many plant-based alternatives to butter and milk chocolate that you can use in cookies. Here are a few examples:
- Plant-based butter: Plant-based butter comes in different types, including those made from coconut oil, soy, and nuts. In most cookie recipes, you can use these vegan kinds of butter as a direct replacement for dairy butter.
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate is typically vegan, as it does not contain milk. Look for chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids, as this will have a lower sugar content. You can use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate in most cookie recipes.
- Non-dairy milk: Many cookie recipes call for milk, but there are many non-dairy milk alternatives available, such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk.
- Aquafaba: Aquafaba is the liquid that is leftover after cooking chickpeas. You can use it as an egg replacement in many recipes, including cookies. You can also whip it like egg whites to make meringue-like cookie toppings.
- Applesauce: In some cookie recipes, you can use unsweetened applesauce instead of butter. It helps keep cookies moist and adds natural sweetness.
These alternatives can help make cookie recipes vegan-friendly without sacrificing taste or texture.
Take advantage of Cook Unity’s vegan meal delivery service and enjoy a great range of specially prepared vegan meals by reputable and talented chefs! Spoil your family with nutritious and dealicious vegan dishes today!
Related: What Cereals Are Vegan? Your Next Breakfast Favorite
6 Popular Vegan Girl Scout Cookies
As mentioned earlier, we have six vegan cookies to try out this year this year. Before you seek out your local troop, there is an important consideration to make. Two cookie distributors in the United States offer separate cookie formulations. These are:
- ABC Bakers provide six types of vegan cookies
- Little Brownie Bakers offer only two - Thin mints and Raspberry rally
Here is a list of 6 types of Girl Scout Cookies that are vegan:
1. Thin Mints
Thin Mints are a classic vegan Girl Scout cookie! These chocolate cookies and their minty chocolate topping are irresistible. They are enriched with flour, sugar, palm and palm kernel oil, and other natural and artificial ingredients. If you enjoy them as much as we do, order more boxes! You can find them at ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers.
2. Toast Yay
Do you want to know what French toast tastes like when baked into a cookie? Now that the Girl Scouts have introduced the Toast-Yay Cookie, there's no need to speculate. The fact that this cutesy cookie is made after a piece of French toast just adds to its appeal.
This little cookie will have you yelling "yay!" after the first taste, thanks to its delicious combination of wheat flour, maple syrup, cinnamon, and other tasty ingredients. This cookie replaced the Thanks Alot Girl Scout cookie that was dropped in 2021.
3. Peanut Butter Patties
These cookies are essential for anyone who feels chocolate and peanut butter are the best combo. These irresistible cookies comprise sugar, peanuts, wheat flour, chocolate, and other ingredients, giving them a delightfully crunchy, sweet, and salty texture of the food. ABC Bakers are the only supplier.
4. Lemonades
Lemonades (not to be confused with Lemon-Ups, which are unfortunately not vegan) are ideal for individuals who enjoy a touch of lemon in their cookies. These sweet and somewhat sour cookies contain wheat flour with both artificial and natural lemon taste. Also, they resemble the cross-section of a lemon, which is extremely adorable.
5. Caramel Chocolate Chip
The first vegan and gluten-free Girl Scout cookie has arrived! This cookie is chewy and packed with semisweet chocolate chips, caramel, and a pinch of salt.
6. Raspberry Rally
The Raspberry Rally is a new vegan cookie for the 2023 season. It is a tiny, crispy cookie infused with raspberry taste and dipped in chocolate icing.
We are thrilled about these new vegan Girl Scout cookies! The best part is that ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers sell these cookies.
Related: What Is Dairy-free Cheese Made of? The Key Ingredients
Non-Vegan Cookies
Several Girl Scout cookies are not vegan since they contain animal products. Non-vegan cookies include:
- Lemon-Ups, similar to vegan Lemonades: they contain milk and eggs
- Caramel deLites, also known as Samoas: contain milk
- Do-si-dos, also known as peanut butter sandwiches: contain milk
- Shortbread is often referred to as Trefoils: contain butter
- Toffee-tastic: contain milk.
- Smores: contain milk and eggs
Alternative Support for Non-Vegan Girl Scout Cookies
There are various options for people who wish to help the Girl Scouts but cannot consume the non-vegan cookies:
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Donate directly to the organization. The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a nonprofit that relies on donations to fund programming for girls. Donating directly to the organization is an excellent means of supporting its cause and funding its many efforts.
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Purchase and donate boxes of Girl Scout Cookies that are vegan-friendly. While not all Girl Scout Cookies are vegan-friendly, Thin Mints and Lemonades are. A terrific way to support the Girl Scouts and give back to the community is to purchase these vegan-friendly cookies and donate them to a local food bank, shelter, or other community groups.
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Volunteering for the Girl Scouts is another way to support the organization. You can become a troop leader, assist with fundraising events, or share your marketing or social media knowledge.
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Sharing information about the Girl Scouts and their purpose with friends, family and on social media will help increase awareness of the organization and its work.
Related: What Candies Are Vegan? Your Guide To Vegan-Friendly Candies
Which Girl Scout Cookies Are Vegan? FAQs
Which Girl Scout Cookies Are Vegan 2023?
A: The vegan-friendly Girl Scout Cookies 2023 include:
- Thin Mints
- Toast Yay
- Peanut Butter Patties
- Lemonades
- Caramel Chocolate Chip
- Raspberry Rally
What Is the Minimum Amount Required to Purchase Girl Scout Cookies?
There is a minimum purchase requirement of four boxes for online transactions, but you can purchase single boxes from Girl Scouts selling in person!
Why Are Some Girl Scout Cookies Not Vegan?
Some Girl Scout Cookies are not vegan because they contain ingredients such as dairy, milk, butter, or eggs. Vegans don’t consume animal products, so these ingredients make the cookies unsuitable for a vegan diet.
Can I Still Support the Girl Scouts if I Follow a Vegan Diet?
Yes, other ways exist to support the Girl Scouts beyond purchasing cookies. You can donate directly to the organization, volunteer with a local troop, or purchase non-food items such as Girl Scout merchandise.
Do Girl Scout Cookies Have Dairy?
Yes, some Girl Scout Cookies contain dairy as an ingredient, such as the non-vegan flavors like Samoas, Tagalongs, and Trefoils.
Are Girl Scout Mint Cookies Vegan?
Yes, Thin mints are classic vegan Girl Scout mint cookies available at both ABC and Little Brownie bakers.
Are Any Girl Scout Cookies Vegan and Gluten-Free?
Yes, Caramel chocolate chip is the first vegan and gluten-free Girl Scout cookie.
Related: Whip It Up: How to Make Delicious Vegan Whipping Cream
Conclusion
While not all Girl Scout Cookies are vegan-friendly due to animal-derived ingredients such as dairy, milk, butter, and eggs, there are several options that are suitable for those following a vegan diet. Thin Mints, Toast Yay, Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, Caramel Chocolate Chip, and Raspberry Rally are vegan-friendly Girl Scout Cookies. For those who cannot consume non-vegan cookies but still want to support the Girl Scouts, there are other ways to do so, such as making a direct donation, volunteering your time, or purchasing non-food items such as Girl Scout merchandise.
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