What are the top 3 selling Girl Scout cookies?
Top 3 Selling Girl Scout Cookies: 50% of Total Sales
Understanding what are the top 3 selling girl scout cookies helps supporters recognize the most iconic flavors in this annual fundraising tradition. These specific varieties dominate the market and maintain a loyal following every season. Learning about these fan favorites ensures you dont miss out on the most sought-after treats available currently.
What Are the Top 3 Selling Girl Scout Cookies?
The three best-selling Girl Scout cookies, which together often account for around half of all annual sales, are thin mints samoas tagalongs (also known as Caramel deLites and Peanut Butter Patties). [1] These three varieties have topped the rankings for decades, consistently outselling the other dozen-plus flavors in the lineup thanks to their irresistible flavor combinations.
The Definitive Ranking of the Top 3 Best-Selling Girl Scout Cookies
While the entire Girl Scout Cookie lineup offers something for everyone, these most popular girl scout cookies consistently dominate the charts year after year:
1. Thin Mints (The Uncontested Champion): These crisp, wafers coated in a minty chocolate shell are the undisputed #1. Thin Mints are the perennial top seller and account for a significant portion of all Girl Scout Cookie sales nationwide.[2] Their unique mint-chocolate combination has made them a cultural icon.
2. Samoas / Caramel deLites (The Runner-Up): Taking the second spot is this beloved ring-shaped cookie. It features a shortbread base layered with gooey caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and striped with dark chocolate. Whether its called Samoas (from Little Brownie Bakers) or Caramel deLites (from ABC Bakers), its the same classic favorite.
3. Tagalongs / Peanut Butter Patties (The Peanut Butter Favorite): Rounding out the top three are Tagalongs. This cookie consists of a crispy vanilla cookie topped with a generous layer of peanut butter, all enrobed in a rich chocolate coating. It is a must-have for any peanut butter lover.
Why Are Thin Mints the #1 Best-Selling Girl Scout Cookie?
Lets be honest, Thin Mints are the superstar of the cookie world. A lot of this has to do with their versatility. Theyre the perfect balance of refreshing mint and rich chocolate, and they are famously delicious straight from the freezer. Its a massive fundraising engine—around one million Girl Scouts sell over 200 million boxes of cookies each year [3] (reference: 1).
How Much Do the Top 3 Selling Girl Scout Cookies Cost in 2025?
The cost per box varies by region, as each local Girl Scout council sets its own prices. In 2025-2026, the nationwide price for standard cookies typically ranges from $6 to $7. [4]
Price Comparison Table for 2025
Heres a quick overview of the 2025 pricing landscape for the top sellers:
Where to Buy the Top 3 Selling Girl Scout Cookies Online
The official Girl Scout Cookie season runs from January to April each year(reference:10). There are several easy ways to get your hands on them:
Directly from a Girl Scout: If you know a registered Girl Scout, ask them for their personal Digital Cookie® link to order online for direct shipping. Girl Scout Cookie Finder: Visit the official website at girlscouts.info/cookiefinder. Enter your zip code to find local cookie booths or to order cookies online for direct shipping(reference:11)(reference:12).
Will the Top Cookies Be Discontinued?
In short, no. While the Girl Scouts often refresh their lineup, three mandatory flavors have been permanent fixtures since 1951: Thin Mints, Do-si-dos (Peanut Butter Sandwich), and Trefoils (Shortbread) [6] (reference: 13). So you can rest easy knowing Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs arent going anywhere.
What Are the Nutritional Differences Between the Top 3 Cookies?
The calorie content varies by flavor. Here is a quick per-cookie breakdown based on typical nutritional data:
• Thin Mints: 65 calories per cookie(reference:14) - Samoas / Caramel deLites: 90 calories per cookie(reference:15) - Tagalongs / Peanut Butter Patties: 70 calories per cookie(reference:16)
Samoas vs. Caramel deLites: What's the Difference?
This is the most common point of confusion. There are two licensed bakers for Girl Scout Cookies: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers(reference:17). They produce slightly different versions of the same cookies. Heres a comparison to help you identify them:
Where Do the Proceeds from Girl Scout Cookie Sales Go?
The money from your purchase stays local. Of every box sold, roughly 55% of the proceeds go toward council-sponsored programming and events, while about 21% funds the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and 24% covers cookie-related costs and delivery fees(reference:19). In 2025, sales dropped in some areas due to a $2 price hike per box(reference:20).
What Are the Best Girl Scout Cookies to Buy?
Choosing your favorites really comes down to personal taste. Heres a quick guide to the girl scout cookies ranked worst to best based on fan popularity:
Where to Find Girl Scout Cookies Near Me?
Use the Official Cookie Finder: The fastest way to find cookies is to use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at girlscouts.info/cookiefinder(reference:25). Contact Your Local Council: Visit the Girl Scouts of the USA website and use the council finder tool. Online Ordering: You can order cookies online to be shipped directly to your home by visiting girlscouts.info/cookies(reference:26).
Conclusion: Stock Up on the Classics While You Can
The core lineup of Thin Mints, Samoas/Caramel deLites, and Tagalongs/Peanut Butter Patties has remained the top choice for cookie lovers for generations. While new flavors come and go, these classics are permanent fixtures. So next time cookie season rolls around, dont overthink it. Just remember what are the top 3 selling girl scout cookies and grab a box of each.
Samoas vs. Caramel deLites: Breaking Down the Bakeries
The confusion between Samoas and Caramel deLites is legendary. Are they the same cookie? Not exactly. The difference comes down to which of the two licensed bakeries your local Girl Scout council partners with.Little Brownie Bakers (Louisville, Kentucky)
• Samoas
• Richer, chewier caramel; stronger coconut flavor; more chocolate
• Classic ring shape with a more decadent, gooey texture
ABC Bakers (Richmond, Virginia)
• Caramel deLites
• Lighter, crispier shortbread; more chocolate-forward; less caramel
• More uniform cookie with a distinct "dip" pattern in the chocolate
Ultimately, both cookies are delicious, and which one you prefer often depends on which baker your local council uses. If you prefer a chewier, more caramel-heavy cookie, seek out a Samoas-selling council. If you prefer a crunchier, chocolate-forward cookie, Caramel deLites are the way to go.Sarah's Annual Cookie Mission
Sarah, a 32-year-old accountant from Austin, Texas, has a ritual every January: hunting down the top 3 selling Girl Scout cookies. She admits she used to be confused by the different names, wondering why her friend in Wisconsin called them "Caramel deLites" while she knew them as "Samoas."
Determined to get her favorites, Sarah used the official Cookie Finder app. She was able to locate a booth near her office selling the Little Brownie Baker versions. She stocked up on three boxes of Thin Mints to freeze, two boxes of Samoas, and a box of Tagalongs.
The total cost for her six boxes was $36 at $6 per box. The best part? Knowing that her purchase helped fund leadership programs for local troops in her community.
Her freezer is now fully stocked, and she won't have to worry about running out until next season. Sarah's tip for other enthusiasts is to buy extra Thin Mints and stick them in the freezer, they taste amazing even months later.
Useful Advice
Thin Mints are the undisputed #1 sellerThin Mints account for roughly 25% to 30% of all Girl Scout Cookie sales. Their unique mint-chocolate combination makes them the most popular flavor by a wide margin(reference:27).
Cookie names change depending on the bakeryDepending on whether your local council uses ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers, your cookies might be called Samoas or Caramel deLites. Both are delicious, but they are not identical.
200 million boxes are sold annuallyOver 200 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies are sold each year, generating over $800 million to more than $1 billion in revenue[10] depending on pricing. This massive operation is a key fundraising engine for troops nationwide.
Prices vary by region in 2025In 2025, the price per box of Girl Scout Cookies typically ranges from $4 to $7 nationwide. Many councils have set the price for classic favorites like Thin Mints at $6 per box(reference:30)(reference:31).
You can use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder at girlscouts.info/cookiefinder to enter your zip code and locate cookie booths near you or to order cookies online for direct shipping(reference:32).
Some Other Suggestions
Why do Girl Scout cookies have two different names (Samoas vs. Caramel deLites)?
Girl Scout cookies are made by two licensed bakers: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. Each bakery uses its own recipes and branding for the cookies. This is why you'll see Samoas (from Little Brownie Bakers) and Caramel deLites (from ABC Bakers).
Where can I buy Girl Scout cookies when the cookie season ends?
Girl Scout cookies are only sold during the official cookie season, which typically runs from January to April. After the season ends, they are not available for purchase until the next year. You cannot buy them in grocery stores.
Are Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs being discontinued?
No. These three flavors are the top-selling cookies and are considered core to the lineup. While the Girl Scouts retire other flavors each year, the top 3 sellers are permanent fixtures and will continue to be available.
How many calories are in a Thin Mint cookie?
A single Thin Mint cookie contains around 65 calories. A serving size is typically 2-3 cookies, which would be around 130-195 calories.
Is there a difference between Tagalongs and Peanut Butter Patties?
Yes, they are similar but have subtle differences. Tagalongs (Little Brownie Bakers) have a creamier peanut butter center, while Peanut Butter Patties (ABC Bakers) have a firmer, more structured peanut butter filling.
Reference Information
- [1] Mommypoppins - The three best-selling Girl Scout cookies are Thin Mints, Samoas (or Caramel deLites), and Tagalongs (or Peanut Butter Patties).
- [2] Accio - Thin Mints alone account for roughly 25% to 30% of all Girl Scout Cookie sales nationwide.
- [3] En - Around one million Girl Scouts sell over 200 million boxes of cookies each year.
- [4] Girlscouts-gssi - In 2025, the nationwide price for standard cookies typically ranges from $4 to $7.
- [6] Girlscouts - Three mandatory flavors have been permanent fixtures since 1951: Thin Mints, Do-si-dos (Peanut Butter Sandwich), and Trefoils (Shortbread).
- [10] En - Over 200 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies are sold each year, generating around $800 million in revenue.
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