Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald (Shutterstock)
Girl Scout Cookies are not only delicious, they are something of an American pastime. The problem, though, as we all know, is that they come around but once a year. If you don’t want to wait until sometime early next year for your fix of Do-si-dos, a good alternative may already exist in a grocery store near you. A handful of grocery store brands have taken a stab at making Girl Scout Cookie imitations, and while they may not be a perfect replication of your favorite annual cookie, they do scratch the itch in the meantime.
The best Thin Mints alternatives
Keebler Grasshoppers cookies. Described on their website as “a crispy mint cookie and dunked in delicious fudge,” it’s not hard to see the parallels between the aforementioned cookies and a Thin Mint. While they may not be the iconic Thin Mint, what they do have going for them is being a national brand found in most grocery stores.
Back to Nature Fudge Mint cookies.Back to Nature was founded in 1960 and has made its mission to provide tasty, plant-based snacks. Much like the traditional Thin Mint, Back to Nature’s Fudge Mint cookie is also vegan. At the very least, it has earned the praise of Amazon user Marina E. Michaels, who says, “if you love Thin Mints, you’ll love these even more.”
The best Samoas alternatives
Clover Valley Coconut and Fudge Cookies. Clover Valley Coconut and Fudge cookies are Dollar General’s attempt at a Samoa copycat. Did they succeed in the copycat? That’s for you to decide. What can be said for sure is that at a price point of $2, Clover Valley’s cookies are kinder to the wallet than their Girl Scout counterparts.
Benton’s Caramel Coconut Fudge cookies. One of the fastest growing grocery store chains in the United States, it’s important you know a few things before entering an Aldi. One of which is their attempt at the Samoa—the Benton’s Caramel Coconut Fudge cookie. Give it a shot to see how it compares to the original; just don’t be surprised if they make you bag it yourself.
The best Lemon-Ups alternatives
Pepperidge Farm’s Lemon cookies. A stalwart of the cookie game, Pepperidge Farm is more than just the makers of Milanos. Their lemon cookie offering is an honest attempt at the Girl Scout’s Lemon-Ups, to which they do a solid job marrying its buttery taste with its zesty tang. Throw some icing on that bad boy, and now you’re really cooking with gas.
Clover Valley Iced Lemon Shortbread cookies. Your eyes are not deceiving you; this is the second appearance of the Clover Valley brand on this list. Dollar General was clearly trying to key into something specific with their Clover Valley cookie brand, and I don’t blame them. Spoiler alert: You very well might see the brand on this list one more time.
The best Toffee-tastics alternative
Trader Joe’s Coffee Toffee Shortbread cookies. A cookie so difficult to replicate that I can only earnestly recommend one suitable alternative. Trader Joe’s does a lot of things well, so it’s not a stretch to believe that their Girl Scout Cookie imitation is going to be top notch.
The best Trefoils alternatives
365 Butter Shortbread cookies. A Whole Foods brand, 365 Butter Shortbread cookies are the best imitation I’ve had of the Girl Scout’s Trefoil. Is it cheap? Rarely items from Whole Foods are. But is it available? Yes, and that’s more than you can say for the Girl Scouts.
Pepperidge Farm’s Dublin Shortbread cookies. A Pepperidge Farm classic, the Dublin Shortbread cookie is a solid alternative for anyone looking to scratch the itch of a Trefoil. They closely match the texture of a Trefoil, which is the do-or-die characteristic of a good shortbread cookie.
The best Do-si-dos alternative
Happy Belly Peanut Butter Crème Cookie. If entering into the marketplace of books, electronics, and apparel weren’t enough, Amazon has also entered the industry of Girl Scout Cookie imitations, and their Happy Belly Peanut Butter Crème Cookie is a solid option if you’re missing your usual Do-si-dos.
The best Tagalongs alternatives
Benton’s Peanut Butter-Filled cookies. Peanut butter and… chocolate?? It’s a tale as old as time. This is, once again, Aldi’s foray into the Girl Scout Cookie imitation market. If you’re already grabbing a box of their imitation Samoas, might as well grab some of these, too.
Clover Valley’s Fudge Peanut Butter Filled cookies. What did I tell you? You go to Dollar General, you’ll have your pick of the litter of Girl Scout Imitation Cookies. Pretty convenient if you ask me; so long as you know which items to avoid at the dollar store.
