Girl Scout Cookie Season 2026 Launches With New Flavor

On January 8, 2026, the familiar flurry of activity returned to the Shelly Ridge Service Center in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, as tractor-trailers rolled in carrying over 57,000 pre-ordered packages of Girl Scout cookies. For many across the country, this delivery marks the unofficial start of a beloved annual tradition—Girl Scout cookie season. But 2026 is no ordinary year for these iconic treats. With the nationwide rollout of a new cookie flavor, Exploremores, and cookie season dates stretching from January through April, there’s a buzz of excitement—and a few surprises—waiting for cookie fans from coast to coast.

According to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, the 2026 cookie season officially runs from January 15 through March 8 in their region, with over 154,000 cases slated for distribution to local troops in the two weeks leading up to kickoff. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the season’s start varies by council: the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore and Northern New Jersey kicked off sales on January 9, Central and Southern New Jersey began on January 15, and the Heart of New Jersey council had already started selling as of January 7, as reported by Mid-Atlantic Connect.

This year’s cookie lineup is especially noteworthy thanks to the debut of Exploremores—a rocky road ice cream-inspired sandwich cookie filled with chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème. The new flavor is already making waves. As The Commercial Appeal in Tennessee reports, Exploremores "reflects the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Girl Scout." Girl Scouts of the USA president Noorain Khan captured the excitement on her Facebook page, saying, "I'm so thrilled to be kicking off cookie season, and we're especially excited about the launch of the new Exploremores cookie. ... it really is such an exciting time. I have incredible memories for my own cookie seasons growing up, making the sale, setting a goal, really interacting with people. And now I get to do it all over again as a troop leader and mom of a Daisy. So happy cookie season everyone!"

Exploremores joins a roster of classics and regional favorites. Depending on where you live—and which of the two official Girl Scout bakeries your local council partners with—you’ll find a slightly different assortment of cookies (and even some different names). The 2026 lineup includes Adventurefuls, Lemonades, Trefoils (formerly Shortbreads), Thin Mints, Caramel deLites (known as Samoas in some regions), Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs), Peanut Butter Sandwich (Do-si-dos), Caramel Chocolate Chip (gluten-free), Toffee-tastic, and Lemon-Ups. However, fans of Toast-Yay! and S’mores cookies will be disappointed: both were discontinued at the end of the 2025 season, as confirmed by USA TODAY and The Commercial Appeal.

In New Jersey, all cookie varieties are priced at $6 per box in 2026, a price point echoed in Tennessee and across much of the country. This marks a significant increase from the cookies’ humble beginnings in 1922, when a dozen sold for just 35 cents. The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, Central and Southern New Jersey, Northern New Jersey, and Heart of New Jersey councils have all aligned on this pricing, although prices do vary nationally as each of the more than 100 councils sets its own rates.

The cookie program is more than just a sweet indulgence. As the Girl Scouts of Western New York highlight, proceeds from every box stay with local troops and councils to fund "life-changing programs, experiences and learnings"—from service projects and troop travel to summer camps. The sale also gives Girl Scouts a chance to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills, with badges like My First Cookie Business and My Cookie Team up for grabs. "Girl Scouts also acquire leadership and entrepreneurial skills needed for 'brighter futures,' all while working to earn the coveted badges," notes The Commercial Appeal.

Buying cookies in 2026 is easier than ever. Customers can reach out directly to a Girl Scout, visit local booths at grocery stores (such as Walmart and ShopRite), or use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder online by entering their ZIP code. The Digital Cookie Platform allows for direct-to-door shipping, and those eager for updates can sign up at girlscoutcookies.org or text "Cookies" to 59618 for alerts. In El Paso, for example, online sales with shipping began on January 5, with in-person sales at Walmart and other locations starting January 18, according to El Paso Times. Community cookie booths in Western New York will open on February 28.

With so many flavors and sales channels, it’s no wonder there’s confusion about which cookies are available where. The answer lies in the Girl Scouts’ two-bakery system: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. As The Commercial Appeal explains, "The Girl Scouts of America uses two cookie kitchens: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, meaning cookies can differ by region. The cookies from these two bakeries aren't identical. They're like cousins, similar but unique in looks and flavors, and some even have different names depending on the state." For instance, Samoas and Caramel deLites are essentially the same cookie but come from different bakeries, with subtle differences in taste and appearance. Tennessee, for example, receives its cookies from Little Brownie Bakers in Louisville, Kentucky.

For those wondering about the taste of Exploremores, early reviews are glowing. El Paso Times describes it as "tasting like a soft Oreo," with "plenty of chocolatey goodness that crumbles in your mouth." The new flavor is expected to become a fast favorite among both new and returning customers.

Whether you’re a Thin Mints loyalist, a fan of the new Exploremores, or simply eager to support local troops, there’s a cookie—and a sales method—for everyone this season. The Girl Scout cookie program, now in its second century, continues to evolve, but its core mission remains unchanged: empowering girls, supporting communities, and, of course, delivering a little bit of joy with every box.