As a fellow vegan, I understand the importance of making sure the treats we indulge in align with our ethical and dietary preferences. Girl Scout Cookies are a beloved American tradition and a yearly favorite for many.
But are these tasty cookies vegan friendly? Let’s find out.
In this article, we’ll explore the ingredients of various Girl Scout Cookies to determine which, if any, are suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.
Let’s start with the ingredients list.
Girl Scout Cookies Ingredients:
Girl Scout Cookies come in a wide variety of flavors, with some being produced by different bakeries.
To assess the vegan friendliness of these cookies, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in some popular flavors.
Girl Scout Cookies Thin Mints Ingredients:
Thin Mints are one of the most popular Girl Scout Cookie flavors. The ingredients in Thin Mints include [1]:
- Enriched wheat flour.
- Sugar
- Vegetable oil shortening (palm and/or palm kernel oil)
- Cocoa (processed with alkali)
- Invert sugar
- Caramel color
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Soy lecithin
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Peppermint oil
Thin Mints do not contain any explicit animal-derived ingredients, making them suitable for vegans.
However, these cookies are manufactured in the same facilities that handles milk and /or egg products.
If you are a strict vegan, then these cookies are not suitable for you.
Girl Scout Cookies Samoas (Caramel deLites) Ingredients:
Samoas, also known as Caramel deLites, are another fan favorite. The ingredients in Samoas include [2]:
- Sugar
- Vegetable oil (palm and/or palm kernel oil)
- Enriched flour.
- Corn syrup
- Sweetened condensed milk (milk, sugar)
- Sorbitol
- Glycerin
- Invert sugar
- Cocoa (processed with alkali)
- Water
- Dextrose
- Salt
- Caramel color
- Soy lecithin
- Mono and diglycerides
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Sorbitan monostearate
- Polysorbate 60
Samoas contain sweetened condensed milk, which is derived from dairy, making them unsuitable for vegans.
Are Girl Scout Cookies Vegan Friendly?
Based on our analysis of the ingredients, some Girl Scout Cookies are vegan friendly, while others are not.
Thin Mints, for example, do not contain any explicit animal derived ingredients and are considered vegan. On the other hand, Samoas contain sweetened condensed milk, making them unsuitable for vegans.
When selecting Girl Scout Cookies that align with a vegan lifestyle, it’s crucial to carefully read the ingredients list for each flavor.
Additionally, keep in mind that ingredients can vary between different bakeries, so it’s important to double-check the specific cookies you’re considering.
Vegan Friendly Girl Scout Cookies:
While Thin Mints are the most famous vegan-friendly Girl Scout Cookie, there are a few other flavors that cater to the vegan community. These cookies include:
Caramel Chocolate Chip Girl Scout Cookies
The Caramel Chocolate Chip Girl Scout Cookies are a relatively new addition to the Girl Scout Cookies lineup.
These cookies are gluten-free and feature rich caramel, semisweet chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt.
The ingredients in Caramel Chocolate Chip Girl Scout Cookies include:
- Oat flour
- Canola Oil
- Semi Sweet chocolate chips.
- Brown Sugar
- Water
- Tapioca starch
- Coconut oil.
- Invert Sugar.
- Egg replacer
- Molasses
- Natural Flavor
- Xanthan gum
- Ammonium bicarbonate
- Baking soda
Caramel Chocolate Chip cookies do not contain animal derived ingredients, making them suitable for vegans.
Lemonades
Lemonades, produced by ABC Bakers, are also vegan friendly. The ingredients include:
- Enriched flour.
- Sugar
- Palm oil
- Cornstarch
- Leavening.
- Salt
- Soy lecithin
- Natural flavor
- Citric acid
- Annatto extract (color)
With a variety of vegan-friendly Girl Scout Cookies available, you can indulge your sweet tooth while still maintaining your commitment to a vegan lifestyle.
Always be sure to check the ingredients list and stay informed about different versions of the cookies produced by various bakeries. Happy snacking!
Conclusion:
While not all Girl Scout Cookies are vegan friendly, there are options available, such as Thin Mints, for those who follow a vegan lifestyle.
