The team here at Milwaukee Magazine loves a taste test, it’s true. So when we heard that Girl Scout cookie season begins Jan. 22, we finagled a box of cookies to try, rank and finally determine which cookie is superior. The only issue is, we all have different favorites, and like last year (and the year before), a friendly discussion erupted. Some folks favorites were other’s bottom picks; one editor had a very controversial dislike of Thin Mints. It all got very dramatic, very quickly.
To be objective – and to keep Archer from running around the office yelling “it’s cookie anarchy!” – we had each editor rank the cookies in order, from favorite to least favorite and assigned the cookies points based on that (8 points for favorite, 1 point for least favorite). We tallied the final count, and ranked the cookies by point value.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Also, we mustn’t continue without mentioning a mysterious note we found near the cookies. Someone left us their ranking in neat cursive handwriting, as well, and we still do not know who that was. Perhaps it was a ghost who wanted to try the cookies? Maybe a wandering employee from another office? Regardless, we felt compelled to include it, as they followed the rules and clearly are passionate enough about cookies to have a valuable opinion. (Mystery person, if you’re seeing this, reveal yourself. We want to thank you for your service!)
And with that being said, here is the official 2025 Milwaukee Magazine ranking of Girl Scout cookies:
1. Peanut Butter Patties
2. Caramel deLites
3. Thin Mints
4. Adventurefuls
5. TIE: Lemonades and Toast-Yay!
6. Peanut Butter Sandwich
7. Trefoils
And, for your curious minds, here is the discussion this ranking prompted:
Katie Williams (Associate Publisher): Archer, you really like Peanut Butter Sandwiches? I think they’re dry and not peanuty.
Archer Parquette (Managing Editor): I know everyone else isn’t a fan, but I’ve always preferred my peanut butter in a thin, factory-pressed layer. I could eat Peanut Butter Sandwiches all day. In fact, please get this box away from me or I’m going to do just that.
Chris Drosner (Executive Editor): PB Sandwiches are the most (metaphorically) vanilla cookie in the bunch. It’s boring.
AP: More boring than Trefoils? I am not a fan of those.
CD: I love the simple loveliness of the Trefoil. I feel like some people, Archer, are maybe not doing this right. These are all dry cookies, so you have to hold them in your mouth to soften them and let the butter and sugar come out. Don’t just chew and swallow. That’s how animals eat.
Brianna Schubert (Digital Editor): I think that’s why I don’t mind the Peanut Butter Sandwiches, actually. They melt in your mouth. But my favorites will always, always be the Peanut Butter Patties.
KW: Yup. Peanut Butter Patties are a staple. Salty-sweet, perfect ratios.
AP: Caramel DeLites are my favorite, but the Peanut Butter Patties are a close second. Chocolate and peanut butter is a legendary combination.
Carole Nicksin (Editor and Publisher): I like the PB sandwiches, but you’re right, Katie, they are dry and lack peanut flavor. In fact, they have very little flavor at all. I have the Trefoils, Toast-Yays and Lemonades tied for last place.
KW: Toast-Yays are best with a cup of coffee. Alone, they’re just OK.
CD: I like Toast-Yays but I can see why the Girl Scouts are retiring it. The cinnamon-sugar palette is definitely a zag.
BS: Okay, I hate to say it, but did the Caramel DeLites change? I feel like they were better in year’s past.
CD: I think this is possible. Based on memory, I would have ranked it higher last year.
AP: Stop this right now. I reject all Caramel DeLite slander. They are the best. They have the bite, the flavor, the rich tapestry of sugariness that enlivens the hum-drum grayness that is daily life.
BS: Fair enough. But why don’t you like Thin Mints, dude? They’re amazing.
AP: I’m sorry. I know people love them, but I just don’t like mint. It reminds me of the dentist. Every bite brings me back to that chair, four or five different whirring instruments laying siege to my teeth.
BS: I get that. But I love them, so shush.
CD: OK, calm down everyone. Listen. I think it’s fair to say that these are all cookies, and therefore, all good in their own way. I strongly prefer some over others but also strongly prefer a cookie to no cookie.
