History of Girl Scout Cookies

1917

The sale of cookies to finance troop activities began as early as 1917. Five years after Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouting in the U.S., troops began baking and selling cookies. Five members of the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma sold the first cookies in a school cafeteria.

1920s

The American Girl magazine published a Girl Scout cookie recipe that girls could make and then sell for 25-30 cents per dozen.

The Girl Scout Cookie Recipe (Circa 1922)

1 cup of butter or substitute

1 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons of milk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla

2 cups of flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

Directions: Cream butter and sugar. Add well-beaten eggs. Then, add milk, vanilla, flour, salt, and baking powder. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Roll dough, cut into trefoil shapes, and sprinkle sugar on top, if desired. Bake at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Makes six or seven dozen cookies.

1930s

Greater Philadelphia became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies. A year later, the Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York began using a die in the shape of a trefoil and using the words “Girl Scout Cookies” on the box. In 1937, more than 125 Girl Scout councils reported holding cookie sales.

1940s

Girl Scout Cookies were sold by local councils around the country until World War II, when sugar, flour, and butter shortages led Girl Scouts to pivot, selling the first Girl Scout calendars in 1944 as an alternative to raise money for activities. After the war, cookie sales increased, and

by 1948, a total of 29 bakers were licensed to bake Girl Scout Cookies.

1950s

With suburbs developing throughout the country, Girl Scouts started selling cookies at tables in shopping malls.

1960s

Baby boomers expanded Girl Scout membership and cookie sale volume increased significantly. Fourteen licensed bakers were mixing batter for thousands upon thousands of Girl Scout Cookies annually.

1970s

In 1978, the number of bakers was streamlined to four to ensure lower prices and uniform quality, packaging, and distribution. And in 1979, the brand-new Girl Scout logo—created by Saul Bass, renowned American graphic designer, and filmmaker—appeared on cookie boxes.

1980s

In the 1980s, Girl Scout boxes depicted scenes of Girl Scouts in action, including hiking and canoeing, and promoted the benefits of Girl Scouting.

1990s

The national organization introduced official age-appropriate awards for Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior Girl Scouts for participating in cookie activities, including an annual Girl Scout Cookie Activity Pin.

2000s

Girl Scout Cookie packages became bold, bright, and captured the spirit of Girl Scouting. All cookies are kosher, and five varieties contain no trans-fat. Much to the excitement of the youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!

2010s

The first gluten-free Girl Scout Cookie was introduced. In 2011, Girl Scouts River Valleys adopted a direct-sales model to give customers instant cookie gratification.

Today: New cookie adventures

Who can forget the amazing moment in 2016 when Girl Scouts took the stage at the Academy Awards to sell cookies to Hollywood’s A-list? It was a stellar beginning to the nationwide celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts selling cookies. That continued with the introduction of Girl Scout S’mores®, which quickly became the most popular new cookie to launch in our history. And in 2020, our already iconic cookies reached a new level of awesome with new packaging that puts Girl Scout Cookie entrepreneurs front and center and also showcases all of the amazing things girls learn and do—through the Girl Scout Cookie Program and as Girl Scouts. The Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin collection that makes selling Girl Scout Cookies a family affair was also introduced in 2020.

And in 2021, all Girl Scout Cookies are both kosher and Halal certified. There are vegan and gluten-free varieties too.

What’s next? In 2022, Girl Scouts across the country will begin selling a new Girl Scout Cookie. Adventurefuls™, brownie-inspired cookies topped with caramel flavored crème and a hint of sea salt will take the joys of buying and eating Girl Scout Cookies to a whole new level. This is the first time that both cookie bakers will introduce the same cookie under a single name.

Now more than ever, when it comes to Girl Scout Cookies, you can taste the adventure in every delicious bite!

2023 bring the newest line up Raspberry Rallys a new addition for online exclusive sales only.