Why do Girl Scouts sell Cookies?

Summary

Who Smarted? – “Why do Girl Scouts Sell Cookies?”

Podcast: Who Smarted? (Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media)
Air Date: April 13, 2026
Episode Type: Educational, Humorous, Family-Friendly

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Episode Overview

In this engaging, humor-filled episode, Uncle Trusty, with help from his niece Gia and the talking Thin Mint cookie “Merriment,” embarks on a delicious journey through the history, science, and fun facts behind why Girl Scouts sell cookies. Listeners learn about the origins of the iconic cookie fundraiser, trace the evolution of flavors, discover quirky discontinued cookies, and find out how cookie sales benefit Girl Scouts and their communities. As with all “Who Smarted?” episodes, complex concepts are served up with playful banter, memorable reenactments, and a trio of silly, snack-loving narrators.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins of Girl Scout Cookie Sales

• First Cookie Sale (1917):
  • “The first Girl Scout cookies were sold in 1917.” (Jane Lindholm as Merriment, [03:52])
  • Sold by a single troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in a high school cafeteria, to fund troop activities.
• Homemade Beginnings:
  • Early cookies were baked at home by the Girl Scouts, under adult supervision, and sold in wax paper bags with a Girl Scout sticker.
  • They were simple sugar cookies sold for 25–35 cents a dozen. ([05:05])

2. Spreading the Cookie Craze – From Local to National

• Recipe Goes National (1922):
  • Girl Scouts’ national headquarters published the sugar cookie recipe in American Girl magazine, encouraging Girl Scouts across the USA to bake and sell locally. ([04:42])
• Commercial Bakeries Join In (1930s–1940s):
  • 1930s: Cookies begin being commercially baked and boxed.
  • 1935: Commercially baked cookies debut in New York.
  • 1937: Over 125 councils hold cookie sales.
  • 1948: 29 bakeries licensed to bake Girl Scout cookies ([06:42])

3. Setbacks and Adaptation – World War II

• Cookie Hiatus:
  • During WWII, shortages of sugar, flour, and butter meant no cookies; Girl Scouts sold calendars to fundraise instead. ([06:10])
• Post-War Boom:
  • After the war, cookies made a triumphant return, with even wider reach.

4. How Cookies are Made and Sold Today

• Licensed Bakeries:
  • Now, only two bakeries (Little Brownie Bakers and ABC Bakers) are licensed in the US.
  • Each bakery may use slightly different recipes and even different cookie names (e.g., “Samoas” vs. “Caramel Delights”). ([07:04])

5. Evolution of Cookie Flavors

• Mandatory Cookies:
  • Three types must always be made: Thin Mints, Do Si Dos (peanut butter sandwiches), and Trefoils (shortbread).
  • "Those became Thin Mints, Do Si Dos, and Trefoils, and none of those flavors can be eliminated from the lineup." (Jane Lindholm, [10:24])
• Flavor Timeline
  • 1951: Only three main cookies (peanut butter sandwich, shortbread, and chocolate mints/Thin Mints).
  • 1956: Vanilla- and chocolate-filled variations join.
  • 1960s/70s to Present: Dozens of flavors come and go, but the core three remain. ([07:33], [07:56])

6. Best-Selling and Favorite Cookies

• Top Seller:
  • Thin Mints are “the best selling Girl Scout cookie by far.” (Jane Lindholm, [10:55])
• Fan Favorite:
  • Despite Thin Mints’ sales dominance, Samoas are often the favorite in polls. ([10:55])

7. What Girl Scouts Gain from Selling Cookies

• Skill Building:
  • “Girl Scouts gain valuable life skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics,” (Jane Lindholm, [11:17])
• Awards and Recognition:
  • Since the 1990s, awards like the “cookie activity pin” honor participation and achievements. ([11:17])
• Supporting Activities:
  • “All proceeds from Girl Scout cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to fund activities for Girl Scouts year round.” ([11:40])

8. Tasting Time Travel: Discontinued Cookies

• Time Traveling Taste Test:
  • Merriment and Uncle Trusty sample bygone cookies like Thanks-a-Lots (2010s), Double Dutch (2000s), Lemon Chalet Cremes (2000s), and even the odd “Golden Yangels” cheese cookie (1980s). ([12:14]–[13:50])
  • “Dozens of Girl Scout cookies have … gone, including Iced Berry Pinatas, Upside Down Frosted Oatmeal, Fruity Mango Cribs, and Low Fat Oleo Lays.” ([14:01])
  • There have been 51 discontinued Girl Scout cookie flavors! ([14:01])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Uncle Trusty getting his snack:

  • “Girl Scout cookie season is one of my favorite times of the year. Right up there with the National Pizza Day … and World Food Day.” – Uncle Trusty ([01:41])

• On Girl Scout skill building:

  • “Not only do Girl Scouts gain valuable life skills … they can also win awards.” – Jane Lindholm ([11:17])

• On cookie flavor quirks:

  • “Cheese.” / “Cheese cookies.” / “Yeah, they were only sold a few years.” – Jane Lindholm & Uncle Trusty, reacting to Golden Yangels ([13:41]–[13:48])

• Audience engagement:

  • The episode features multiple moments where listeners (“smartypants”) are directly involved in trivia and guessing games, keeping the learning highly interactive.

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:15 | Gia brings cookies & introduces the Girl Scouts | | 03:33 | How and when did cookie sales start? | | 03:52 | First cookies sold in 1917; origins explained | | 04:53 | Baking at home and original sugar cookie recipe | | 05:38 | Shift from homemade to boxed cookies | | 06:10 | World War II cookie hiatus; calendar sales | | 07:04 | Only two bakeries make US Girl Scout cookies today | | 07:33 | The evolution and mandatory flavors | | 10:24 | Three required flavors (Thin Mints, Do Si Dos, Trefoils) | | 10:55 | Best-selling and favorite cookies | | 11:14 | Life skills, awards, and proceeds for Girl Scouts | | 12:01–13:50| Cookie time travel; tasting discontinued cookies | | 14:01 | Over 51 discontinued flavors listed |

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Overall Tone & Style

The episode is playfully educational, using trivia, imaginative role-plays, silly sound effects, and snappy dialogue. The hosts’ friendly banter, puns, and direct questions keep kids engaged and learning without ever feeling lectured. Notably, the talking Thin Mint cookie, Merriment, and character-driven re-enactments make historic facts and timelines especially memorable.

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Key Takeaways

• Girl Scout cookie sales started over a century ago as a fundraising effort.
• The tradition evolved from home-baked cookies to commercial production, with only two main bakeries today.
• Despite many new (and sometimes odd) flavors, Thin Mints, Do Si Dos, and Trefoils are the always-mandatory cookies.
• Cookie sales build real-world skills for Girl Scouts and fund activities locally.
• Over 51 flavors have come and gone—some missed, some not!
• It’s all about fun, community, learning, and of course … cookies.

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Memorable closing moment:
“I'm just glad Thin Mints are here to stay. Except now they're gone.” – Uncle Trusty, after sampling so many discontinued flavors ([14:11])

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This episode is a perfect example of the podcast’s mix of silly fun and solid, curiosity-driven learning, making history (and dessert) delicious!

Transcript

[Jane Lindholm]

Kids, you have a lot of questions. Is a crocodile a dinosaur? Why do people vote? How does your food turn into your poop? But why? A podcast for curious kids has answers. I'm Jane Lindholm. Join me as we dig deep into everything from science to history, nature, emotions, and sometimes even the weird. Why are jellyfishes made of jelly? Or are they made out of jelly?

[Gia]

Find.

[Jane Lindholm]

But why? Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Uncle Trusty]

And now it's time for who's Smarted? Psst. Hey, smarty pants. I am so excited. And so is my tummy. It all has to do with a certain delicious delicacy that's only sold during a certain time of year by a certain group of girls. In fact, my niece Gia belongs to the local chapter. I put my order in with her a few months ago, and she just called to let me know she's on her way over. Of course, she'll be dressed in her green and white uniform, which includes a sash, a vest, and a beret. Smartypants, have you figured out what group my niece belongs to and what sweet treat she's bringing me? I bet a lot of you have. Oh, boy. Here she is. Hi, Gia. Am I ever glad to see you.

[Gia]

Hi, Uncle Trusty. On behalf of the Girl Scouts of America, I present to you one box of Tagalongs, one box of Do Si Dos, two boxes of Thin Mints, and two boxes of Samoas.

[Uncle Trusty]

All right, smarty pants. I know. You know what I'm so excited for. Now, let's all say it together on three. One, two, three. Girl Scout cookies.

[Gia]

Gee, Uncle Trusty, they're just cookies.

[Uncle Trusty]

Just cookies. Just cookies. You don't understand. Girl Scout cookie season is one of my favorite times of the year. Right up there with the National Pizza Day. Pack your lunch day, and World Food Day.

[Gia]

Yeah, you're not alone. People sure do love getting Girl Scout cookies. Well, enjoy your snack. I'd stay, but I have more deliveries to make.

[Uncle Trusty]

Oh, okay. Good luck with your deliveries. It's funny. I've been enjoying Girl Scout cookies as long as I can remember, but there's a lot I don't know about them. Oh, well, I guess I'll just enjoy what I do know. That Thin Mints are delicious.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom.

[Jane Lindholm]

Excuse me, Trusty. Narrator. Did I ever hear you say there's a lot you don't know about Girl Scout cookies? Maybe I can help.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

[Uncle Trusty]

Huh? Who said that?

[Jane Lindholm]

Down here, I order the Thin Mint cookies. The Name is Merriment.

[Uncle Trusty]

Merriment. Cute.

[Jane Lindholm]

Thanks. But more importantly, I know all about Girl Scout cookies.

[Uncle Trusty]

Oh, well, in that case, when were the first Girl Scout cookies sold? Which flavors are most popular, and what? Girl Scout Scout cookies are no longer available. It's time for another whiff of science, history, and mint on who smarted?

[Merriment]

Who's smarted? Who's smart?

[Uncle Trusty]

Is it you?

[Merriment]

Is it me? Is it science? Or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun, but who's smart and smart?

[Uncle Trusty]

I'm here with my new friend, Merriment, who is an expert on Girl Scout cookies because she is one. Just curious, do any of the other Thin Mints talk?

[Jane Lindholm]

Nope, Just me.

[Uncle Trusty]

Good.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

[Uncle Trusty]

Okay, Merriment. My first question that I'm sure the smarty pants want to know, too is how and when did Girl Scouts start selling cookies? Was it A, 1917, B, 1939, or C, 1969?

[Jane Lindholm]

If you said a. Good job. The first Girl Scout cookies were sold in 1917.

[Uncle Trusty]

Wow. That is a long time ago. Was it like it is today, where Girl Scout troops all over the USA sell a variety of cookie flavors?

[Jane Lindholm]

Nope. The original Girl Scout cookies were sold in 1917 by a single troop of Girl Scouts in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to help fund their troop activities. They sold their cookies in the high school cafeteria.

[Uncle Trusty]

Ooh. Let's do a quick historical recreation starring my niece and the meat cake lady.

[Gia]

Hi. Would you like to buy some cookies to support my Girl Scout troop?

[Uncle Trusty]

Hey, everybody's buying cookies instead of my mystery meat cake. Not fair. I can see why they'd be a big hit. But how did cookie sales go from one Girl Scout troop to the nationwide fundraising event we know today?

[Jane Lindholm]

Well, In July of 1922, the Girl Scouts national headquarters published an edition of American Girl magazine featuring a cookie recipe that all Girl Scouts were encouraged to bake themselves and sell locally.

[Uncle Trusty]

Wow. So the Girl Scouts baked their own cookies. Smartypants, what kind of cookies do you think they were? Was it A, sugar cookies, B, chocolate chip cookies, or C, Thin Mints?

[Jane Lindholm]

While the Thin Mints are definitely an iconic Girl Scout cookie, I'm afraid I was not the original. The first Girl Scout cookies were simple sugar cookies. The simplicity of the cookies was important since Girl Scouts would be making them at home with adult supervision. After baking the cookies, they would package a dozen in a wax paper bag and seal it with a Girl Scout sticker. Then they would sell them for 25 to 35 cents a package.

[Uncle Trusty]

Wow. That's only 2 or 3 cents per cookie. So when did they start putting them in boxes?

[Jane Lindholm]

In the 1930s, Girl Scout cookies began being packaged in boxes. And by 1935, the Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York raised money by selling commercially baked cookies.

[Uncle Trusty]

Oh, that means cookies made by a company in a factory as opposed to Girl Scouts in their kitchens at home.

[Jane Lindholm]

Yep, and these cookies caught on quickly. By 1937, more than 125 Girl Scout councils reported holding cookie sales.

[Uncle Trusty]

And they've been sold every year since, right?

[Jane Lindholm]

Well, not quite. Girl Scouts had to stop selling cookies During World War II due to sugar, flour, and butter shortages.

[Uncle Trusty]

Ah, sugar, flour, no butter, no cookies. How did Girl Scouts raise money for activities without selling cookies?

[Jane Lindholm]

In 1944, the Girl Scouts sold calendars instead of cookies. Hi.

[Gia]

Would you like to buy a calendar to support my Girl Scout troop?

[Uncle Trusty]

Ooh, we could rename it Meat Cake March. Yeah, I bet people were pretty excited to buy cookies again once the war was over.

[Jane Lindholm]

They sure were. After World War II, cookie sales went through the roof. By 1948, there were 29 bakeries licensed to bake Girl Scout cookies.

[Uncle Trusty]

That's a lot of bakeries. Are there still that many making Girl Scout cookies today?

[Jane Lindholm]

No, that number was reduced to help ensure cookies would have more consistent prices, quality, packaging, and distribution.

[Uncle Trusty]

Smartypants, any guesses how many bakeries are licensed to make Girl Scout cookies today? Is it a 25, B, 15 or C2?

[Jane Lindholm]

Believe it or not, it's only two Little Brownie Bakers at ABC Bakers are licensed to baker make all of the Girl Scout cookies in America. Oh, and for the record, they don't use exactly the same recipes or even the same names. For example, Samoas come from the Little Brownie bakers, while the ABC bakers call the same cookie a Caramel Delight.

[Merriment]

Whoa.

[Uncle Trusty]

Wow. That's a lot of work and responsibility for just two bakeries. So when did they start offering the flavors we know and love today?

[Jane Lindholm]

In 1951, there are only three kinds of girl Scout cookies. The peanut butter sandwich, the shortbread cookie, and chocolate mints.

[Uncle Trusty]

Chocolate Mints? Mints. Were they like Thin Mints?

[Jane Lindholm]

Yep. Chocolate Mint was an earlier name. However, the Thin Mints were actually first introduced in 1939 with the name Cookie Mints.

[Uncle Trusty]

Honestly, it doesn't matter what they're called. I'm still eating them.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

[Jane Lindholm]

By 1956, there were four basic types of Girl Scout cookies. A vanilla based filled cookie, a chocolate based filled cookie, shortbread, and Chocolate Mint. Then in the mid-60s and 70s, additional cookies were added to the roster, but not all of them lasted. But here's something interesting. No matter what cookie flavors come and go, the Girl Scout License bakeries are required to bake three types of Girl Scout cookies.

[Uncle Trusty]

Hmm, Smarty pants, what do you think the three mandatory or required types of Girl Scout cookies are? The answer is coming up right after this quick break. Spring is here and if you're a homeschool family trying to finish the year strong, I want to tell you about ixl. It's the award winning online online learning platform that fits seamlessly into your homeschool routine covering math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. What I love most about IXL is how it adapts to each child's pace. Whether your kid needs to reinforce foundational skills before an assessment or push ahead into new material, IXL meets them exactly where they are with no pressure and real encouragement built right in. Kids earn rewards, see their own progress, and actually feel good about learning. And for parents, the real time progress tracking is a game changer. You always know exactly where your child stands. Plus, it makes learning fun. And you know I love that over 15 million students use IXL and it's proven to improve achievement in all 50 states. So make an impact on on your child's learning. Who Smarted? Listeners get an exclusive 20% [e-mail] smarted that's ixl.com smarted for your 20% off. Now back to who smarted? Okay, Smarties, Girl Scout cookies began with a simple sugar cookie baked in the kitchens and ovens of Girl Scout members before expanding to be baked by professional bakeries. And while many flavors of cookies have come and gone, three cookie flavors are mandatory or required to be made by the Girl Scout cookie bakeries every year. Are they A Thin Mints Do Si Dos and Trefoils, B Thin Mints, Samoas and Adventurefuls or C Do Si Dos, Tagalongs and Lemon ups.

[Jane Lindholm]

The answer is A Thick bits do Si Dos and Trefoils. Remember the original three baths produced cookies for chocolate mints, peanut butter sandwiches and shortbread cookies? Well, those became Thin Mints Do Si doughs and trefoils and none of those flavors can be eliminated from the lineup.

[Uncle Trusty]

Sweet. Literally. But now I'm wondering which of those mandatory cookies is the best seller? What do you think, smarty pants? Is it Thin Mints, Do Si Dos or trefoils?

[Jane Lindholm]

The answer is Thin Mints. In fact, Thin Mints are the best Selling Girl scout cookie by far. However, in recent polls, Samoa seem to be more people's favorite.

[Uncle Trusty]

Yeah, I like them all.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom nom.

[Uncle Trusty]

So what do girl Scouts get out of selling all these cookies?

[Jane Lindholm]

Not only do girl Scouts gain valuable life skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics, they can also win awards. In the 1990s, Girl Scouts USA introduced official awards, including the cookie activity pin, for participating in the cookie sale. Girl Scouts can also earn rewards for meeting cookie selling goals.

[Uncle Trusty]

Nice. But where does all the money go?

[Jane Lindholm]

All proceeds from girl scout cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to fund activities for girl scouts year round.

[Uncle Trusty]

Great. I'm glad my money is going to a good cause. Plus, I get to eat cookies.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom nom.

[Jane Lindholm]

Yep. But I've got a special offer only available to trusty narrators in possession of a time travel app.

[Uncle Trusty]

Oh, I'm listening.

[Jane Lindholm]

How would you like to join me? Once in a lifetime chance to sample girl scout cookies that are no longer

[Uncle Trusty]

available in the word of my niece. Whoa. Yes, please. Where should we go? First merriment.

[Jane Lindholm]

Let's start at the 2010s. I think you might like some. Thanks a lots.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom nom.

[Uncle Trusty]

Mmm. Tastes like a tree foil but with chocolate.

[Jane Lindholm]

Yep, it's a shortbread cookie coated with fudge. But did you read the message on the front?

[Uncle Trusty]

Oops, I ate it.

[Jane Lindholm]

Thanks a lot, Sabbath. Thank you. Carved on the front in English, French, Spanish, Swahili, and Mandarin.

[Uncle Trusty]

Nice, but thank you cookie.

[Jane Lindholm]

Okay, now set it for the 2000s. There are two cookies to try. First up, the double dutch cookie.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom nom.

[Uncle Trusty]

Super chocolatey.

[Jane Lindholm]

It's a double chocolate chip cookie with milk and semi sweet chocolate. It hasn't been available since the mid-2000s. Next up, a lemon chalet cookie.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom nom.

[Uncle Trusty]

It looks like a sandwich cookie, but the cream in the middle tastes like lemon. I also noticed a building on the cookie.

[Jane Lindholm]

That's the girl Scout International world Center located in Switzerland. International.

[Uncle Trusty]

Nice. What's next?

[Jane Lindholm]

Let's hit the 1980s. Behold the golden yangels.

[Uncle Trusty]

They're triangle shaped. I wonder what they taste like.

[Merriment]

Nom, nom, nom, nom nom.

[Uncle Trusty]

Hmm. This has a strange flavor. What is it?

[Jane Lindholm]

Cheese.

[Uncle Trusty]

Cheese cookies.

[Jane Lindholm]

Yeah, they were only sold a few years.

[Uncle Trusty]

Smarty pants. Any guess how many flavors of girl scout cookies have been discontinued? I'm guessing about 10 or 15 maybe try 51. 51?

[Jane Lindholm]

That's right. Dozens of Girl Scout cookies have Covid gone, including Iced Berry Pinatas, Upside Down Frosted Oatmeal, Fruity Mango Cribs, and Low Fat Oleo Lays.

[Uncle Trusty]

Wow, those sound a little weird. I'm just glad Thin Mints are here to stay. Except now they're gone.

[Jane Lindholm]

Except one trustee you wouldn't.

[Uncle Trusty]

Nah. Besides, it's Samoa time. A super sweet shout out to Emma, Jack and Ava in Baltimore, Maryland. We love that you love smarting to who smarted in the mornings when you wake up and of course, smarting while you're in the car. We're so glad you enjoyed learning about anything and everything with the smarty pants. And we hear your aunt, a special educator, loves the background knowledge that you're gaining too. Now that is beyond awesome. This episode Girl Scout Cookies was written by Sarah Samoa Sweetek and voiced by Gabby Thin Mint Mayfield, Gia Dosi, Doe Davis, Adam. Thanks a lot Davis and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Adventureful's Han who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max. Tag along is Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian S' Mores Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.