Fives: Girl Scout Cookies

It’s about that time of year again. Girl Scouts across the nation roam the streets and local businesses, peddling their delicious batches of Girl Scout cookies. It’s easy to go wild and get 18 of your favorite box. You just know that even though you’re getting overcharged, it’s going to a good cause, so it’s worth it. And some of these cookies are quite wonderful, so everything works out in the end.

However, not all Girl Scout cookies are created equal. Here’s a look at the top five. Do they stack up with your favorites?

5. Trefoils/Thanks-a-Lots

The first cookie on this list is perfectly palatable, but it’s never going to wow you right out of the box. Or, you know, when it’s in your mouth. It’s just shortbread. The Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan website describes Trefoils as “delicate-tasting,” which is not what I usually want in a cookie. Fine for beginners or people who think mixing flavors is too much. Special shout out to Thanks-a-Lots, the cousin of Trefoils. These hyphenated cookies have a chocolate base, which provides a sturdy foundation for your milk-dipping pleasure. Deeee-lish!

4. Do-si-dos/Peanut Butter Sandwiches

I’m more a fan of this name than anything else. Peanut butter and oatmeal are not my favorite combination, but these cookies do a serviceable job of providing flavor. If they were the only peanut butter option, they’d be fine, but the problem is there’s a much better choice. You’ll find out what it is in just a bit…

3. Girl Scout S’Mores

These lose a few points because they’re not consistent throughout the country. In some areas, you’ll find big ol’ cookies, almost like those Keebler fudge ones that are almost too much for your taste buds, they’re that good. In other regions, you’ll get these small s’more sandwich cookies. Don’t get me wrong, those ones are still pretty tasty, but they lack comparatively. I guess it’s cool that they actually say “Girl Scout S’mores” on them; however, it’s not enough to overcome the disparity in flavor.

2. Thin Mints

These are the OG cookies (at least in my book, as they were the first ones I ever discovered). You’ll find these at the top of a lot of Girl Scout cookies lists, and here’s why: they’re fabulous AND versatile. These cookies, made with natural oil of peppermint, are good on their own. They’re good mixed with ice cream or brownies. And they’re good if you freeze them, which no other Girl Scout cookie can really lay claim to. Think about it: It’s a hot August day. What better way to cool yourself off than with a cold, beautiful Thin Mint?

1. Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs

Was there really any doubt? You know I’m a fiend for peanut butter and chocolate. And when they’re combined, it’s pure magic. Just a couple of tagalongs will get you full and keep you full, meaning you get more bang for your buck. Now let’s eat.

View other Fives here.