Now that we are coming into what is one of my favorite times of the year, Girl Scout Cookie time, many people are asking this question. Whenever I hear the question come up, I’m always quick to jump into the conversation and answer! As a former Girl Scout for nine years when I was younger, and a front-runner in cookie sales, I can answer the question for you!
The reasoning for the different cookie names is that there are two different baking companies that make the cookies. There is Little Brownie Bakers and also ABC Bakers. Each regional Girl Scout council has the ability to decide which baker they are going to use to supply their cookies on any given year.
The companies provide cookies that are the same with different names like the Samoas/Carmel deLites, Tagalongs/Peanut Butter Patties, Do-Si-Dos/Shortbreads. Trefoils/Shortbreads. Lucky for me, my favorite cookie, Thin Mints, has the same name with both bakers!
There are also have some cookies that are specific to each company. For example, Little Brownie Bakers has Savannah Smiles, Dulce de Leche, and Thank You Berry Much. And on the other side, ABC Bakers has Thanks-A-Lot, Shout Outs, and Lemonades, which I love!
So which bakery is the best? I honestly don’t know! I’ve had cookies from both of the bakers, but never had the chance to compare them side by side. But as long as there are still Girl Scouts knocking on my door every year, I will be a happy girl!! (I’ve already bought 4 boxes this so far this season!)
Good luck to all the Girl Scouts out there…keep up the good work!!
Angela
You should know that Do-si-dos are not shortbread cookies…they are peanut butter sandwiches and always have been. The Trefoil is the shortbread cookie.
BA Haggerty
Thank you so much for the correction! I really appreciate it! Definitely a typo on my part. It has been many years since I was that little girl scout out selling cookies on a cold winter day!