15 Beloved Girl Scout Cookies That Have Been Retired (And The Shocking New Flavor Replacing S’mores And Toast-Yay! In 2026)

The Girl Scout Cookie program is a beloved annual tradition, but it’s one that comes with a heartbreaking reality: favorite flavors are constantly being retired. As of today, December 18, 2025, the biggest news shaking the cookie world is the official retirement of two recent fan favorites, the Girl Scout S'mores and Toast-Yay! varieties, which will not be returning after the 2025 season. This decision is part of a strategic move by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) to keep the annual lineup fresh and exciting for consumers, a necessary evolution that has seen dozens of delicious treats vanish from the iconic cookie roster over the decades.

The retirement of any cookie always sparks intense debate and nostalgia among long-time customers, but the loss of Toast-Yay! and S'mores has been particularly controversial due to their popularity. These two flavors now join a legendary list of discontinued Girl Scout Cookies, making room for a brand-new, Rocky Road-inspired flavor called Exploremore set to debut in 2026.

The Shocking 2025 Retirements: S'mores and Toast-Yay!

The announcement that the Girl Scout S’mores and Toast-Yay! cookies would be retired after the 2025 season was a bitter pill for many cookie enthusiasts. The decision was confirmed by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) as part of a "broader strategy" to refresh the cookie catalog and allow for the introduction of new flavors.

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The S'mores cookie, a beloved treat that captured the essence of a campfire favorite with its graham sandwich cookie dipped in chocolate, had two distinct versions due to the program's unique baking system. The Toast-Yay!, a French Toast-inspired cookie shaped like a slice of bread and dipped in icing, was also a relatively new but highly successful addition to the lineup.

The retirement of these two cookies is a classic example of the Girl Scouts’ need to rotate their menu. While specific sales figures are not always released, the general principle is that removing a few flavors makes room for innovation and keeps the public interested in the annual cookie drive. This rotation is essential for maintaining the excitement and fundraising success of the program.

The Role of the Two Bakers: ABC Bakers vs. Little Brownie Bakers

A major factor in the constant state of flux within the cookie lineup is the use of two separate, licensed bakers: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. These two companies produce different—but often similar—versions of the core flavors, and they also have their own unique specialty cookies. The decision to retire a cookie can sometimes be linked to a council switching its supplier, which forces a change in the available flavors.

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For example, the classic Samoas (from Little Brownie Bakers) are sold as Caramel deLites (from ABC Bakers), and Tagalongs (Little Brownie Bakers) are sold as Peanut Butter Patties (ABC Bakers). When a specialty cookie is retired, it may only be retired by one baker, or it may be a flavor that both bakers offered, like the two S'mores varieties. The retirement of Toast-Yay! and S'mores clears the slate for the nationwide debut of the new cookie.

Introducing Exploremore: The 2026 Replacement Cookie

While the retirement of popular flavors is always sad, the silver lining is the arrival of a brand-new treat. For the 2026 cookie season, the Girl Scouts are introducing the Exploremore cookie. This new flavor is directly inspired by the classic Rocky Road ice cream, promising a complex and satisfying taste profile.

The Exploremore cookie is described as layering chocolate wafers with a toasted almond-flavored crème and a gooey marshmallow filling. The goal is to evoke a sense of adventure and nostalgia, aligning with the Girl Scouts' mission. The introduction of a flavor with such a distinct profile ensures that the new cookie will not directly compete with the remaining core lineup, which includes mainstays like Thin Mints and Do-si-dos.

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The strategy behind the Exploremore is clear: replace two popular but perhaps complex-to-produce flavors (S'mores and Toast-Yay!) with a single, highly marketable, and exciting new option. This keeps the total number of varieties manageable for the Girl Scouts selling them while offering a fresh incentive for customers to buy.

A Nostalgic Vault: The Most Missed Retired Girl Scout Cookies

The history of the Girl Scout cookie program is littered with dozens of retired flavors that still hold a special place in the hearts of customers. These discontinued treats represent different eras of baking and different trends in the American palate. Their retirement often comes down to low sales, production complexity, or the need to meet modern dietary and ingredient standards.

Here is a list of some of the most famous and most missed retired Girl Scout Cookies, showcasing the deep topical authority of the program's history:

• Raspberry Rally (2023-2024): This was perhaps the most controversial retirement in recent memory. The chocolate-coated, raspberry-flavored cookie was sold exclusively online, leading to high demand and instant resale market inflation. It was quickly retired after its debut season, leaving many fans disappointed.
• Thanks-A-Lot (1999-2021): A simple shortbread cookie with a fudge bottom, notable for having the words "Thank You" embossed on the cookie in five different languages. It was a long-running favorite before its retirement.
• Savannah Smiles (2012-2019): A crisp, zesty lemon wedge cookie dusted with powdered sugar. Named in honor of Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low, this cookie was a refreshing alternative to the chocolate and peanut butter heavy lineup.
• Kookaburras (Early 1980s): A unique flavor consisting of a crispy wafer cookie layered with peanut butter and coated in chocolate. While similar to the current Tagalongs / Peanut Butter Patties, the Kookaburras had a distinct crunch and texture that fans still recall.
• Lemon Chalet Cremes (2007-2011): A sandwich cookie with a lemon filling, featuring a chalet design on the cookie itself. It was retired to make way for new lemon-flavored options like the aforementioned Savannah Smiles.
• Juliettes (1984-1985 and 1993-1996): Another cookie named for the founder, this was a pecan and caramel cookie with a fudge bottom, a precursor to the modern caramel/pecan varieties.
• Dulce de Leche (2008-2014): Inspired by the classic Latin American caramel confection, this was a sweet, caramel-flavored cookie that aimed for a more international flavor profile.
• Aloha Chips (1990s): A tropical-themed cookie featuring white chocolate chips and coconut, reflecting an attempt to introduce more exotic flavors into the program.
• Cinna-Spins (2008-2010): A cinnamon-flavored cookie that was often sold in smaller, snack-sized bags, offering a lighter option than the main boxes.
• Golden Yangles (1980s): A savory-sweet cracker-like cookie that stood out completely from the dessert-focused lineup, demonstrating the Girl Scouts' willingness to experiment with different categories.

The retirement of these flavors, from the short-lived Le Chips (1996-1997) to the more established Thanks-A-Lot, illustrates the dynamic nature of the Girl Scout Cookie program. It is a business that must constantly adapt to consumer demand, ingredient costs, and the need to maximize fundraising potential for the troops. For every retired favorite, a new flavor is born, hoping to capture the public's imagination and become the next Thin Mint or Samoa.

The Legacy of Discontinued Girl Scout Cookies

The legacy of retired Girl Scout Cookies is more than just a list of forgotten snacks; it’s a reflection of American food culture and the evolution of the organization itself. Each discontinued flavor, whether it was the short-lived Upside Downs (a pineapple-flavored cookie) or the early Forget-Me-Nots (a butter cookie), tells a story about what was popular at the time and what the Girl Scouts were trying to achieve.

While fans may mourn the loss of Girl Scout S'mores and Toast-Yay! after their final run in the 2025 season, the excitement surrounding the Exploremore cookie for 2026 proves that the tradition is stronger than any single flavor. The cookie program remains the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world, teaching millions of young women essential skills in finance, goal setting, and public speaking—all thanks to the sale of these iconic, and sometimes fleeting, treats. The best way to honor a retired cookie is to stock up on the current favorites and eagerly anticipate what new deliciousness the Girl Scouts will bake up next.