The List of 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Varieties is Here!

The 2023 Girl Scout Cookies are here! This is one of my favorite times of the year because it's wonderful to see people supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of young girls, especially here in Texas! In today's post, I'll share some details about the benefits of supporting the girls, share highlights related to the cookie ingredients, and show you a fun tradition where we use stencils and confectioners sugar to dust hearts onto Thin Mints and Tagalongs for Valentine's Day! 

Let's start with the benefits.  The Girl Scout Cookie Program provides financial support to Girl Scouts. When you buy cookies, you help to support their activities which may include a variety of things such as STEM activities, leadership activities, or other skill-based activities with their local troops. In some cases the funds even support sending the girls to camps!  Of course, there is so much more to it on a personal level. Girls view themselves as entrepreneurs. They may think about their business strategy and put many hours into their cookie sales which may provide confidence and foster their interests in business pursuits. They see outcomes!  Hard work translates to success which is a real motivator for many girls.  When you buy a box of cookies, you add to their numbers and contribute to their success.  Many small acts of kindness to support the girls add up quickly! I read that over half of female entrepreneurs and business owners are Girl Scout alums – like local business owners Andrea Meyer of Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie and Nina Vaca of Pinnacle Group – supporting Girl Scouts as they make sales and learn essential business skills is imperative to ensuring our country has a strong workforce and economy.   

The 2023 Girl Scout cookies lineup includes traditional favorites such as Thin Mints, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Samoas, and more.  The newest cookies include Toffee-tastic and Raspberry Rally cookies.  I know that many of you are worried about the ingredients or whether there are gluten-free or vegan options. Let's start with a quick overview of ingredients for all of the cookies:

• No high-fructose corn syrup
• No partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs)
• Zero Grams Trans Fat per serving
• RSPO Certified (Mass Balance) Palm Oil
• Hala Certification

In addition, there are vegan options, including Thin Mints and Raspberry Rally. If you are on a gluten-free diet, the Toffee-tastic cookies are gluten-free.  We love that the Girl Scouts has thought about these dietary concerns!

Here is the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie lineup for Northeast Texas:

• Adventurefuls
• Lemon-Ups
• Trefoils
• Do-si-dos
• Samoas
• Tagalongs
• Thin Mints (made with vegan ingredients)
• Girl Scout S'mores
• Toffee-tastic (gluten-free)
• Raspberry Rally (made with vegan ingredients)

Now that we've told you about the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie lineup, let me share our favorite Girl Scout Cookie tradition that puts a Valentine's Day twist on the cookies!

DIY Girl Scout Cookies Dusted with Powdered Sugar Hearts

Supplies

• 1 box of Thin Mints
• 1 box of Tagalongs
• 2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar
• 1 piece of parchment paper

Directions

1. Fold a piece of parchment paper in half and cut out the shape of a heart.  
2. Place the stencil tightly over a cookie.
3. Sift powdered sugar onto a cookie. 
4. Carefully remove the stencil to reveal the heart. 
5. Optionally dust extra powdered sugar onto the cookies after you finish the hearts!

Not only are the cookies delicious, but you'll also make a difference in the lives of young girls who are building their leadership abilities. It's a win-win opportunity to share love with hopeful Girl Scouts and your family! 

If you would like to support Girl Scouts in Texas,  find a local cookie booth near you by 

• Find a cookie booth. Locate a Girl Scout Cookie sale in your community by entering your zip code in the “Find Cookies!” tool.
• Download the app. Looking for cookies on the go? Download the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for your iOS and Android devices. 
• Order cookies online. Do you know a Girl Scout? Ask her if you can buy your cookies from her online site using the Digital Cookie® platform!

We hope that you will consider supporting local Girl Scouts with their entrepreneurial dreams! Their cookies are fabulous, but supporting the dreams of our local girls is even more fabulous!