WALDORF, Md. — The mystery is solved: Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has unveiled its newest Girl Scout Cookie — the Exploremores™, a rocky road ice cream–inspired sandwich cookie packed with chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond-flavored crème. While fans are eager to try the bold new flavor, the cookie also contains peanut flour, along with milk, soy and wheat ingredients.
The announcement, made Sept. 9, gave a replacement for S’mores® and Toast-Yay!® that officially retired after the 2025 season. Exploremores™ will make its debut when the 2026 cookie season begins in January.
Ingredients and Allergy Concerns
Girl Scouts contracts with two licensed bakers — ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers — and both will produce Exploremores™, making it available nationwide to all councils. Recipes vary slightly, but both bakers’ versions include milk, soy, wheat and peanut flour.
- ABC Bakers’ Exploremores™ (2 cookies, 130 calories): Contains soy, wheat, milk and peanut flour. Manufactured in a facility shared with tree nuts and eggs.
- Little Brownie Bakers’ Exploremores™ (3 cookies, 180 calories): Contains milk, soy, wheat and peanut flour.
That has left some fans disappointed. Several noted that the description highlights an almond flavor, yet peanut flour is listed in the ingredients, raising concerns about children with peanut allergies mistakenly trying the cookie. Others expressed frustration that the new release is not allergy-friendly or gluten-free, especially as S’mores® and Toast-Yay!® leave the lineup.
Still, excitement is running high. Many say the rocky road profile sounds like a fun addition, with social media users already planning to pair Exploremores™ with coffee, milk or ice cream once sales begin.
Learn more about the cookie lineup at girlscouts.org/cookies and follow @GirlScoutsUSA on Facebook for the latest updates, or text “Cookies” to 59618 to get the latest Girl Scout Cookie news.
Visit the Girl Scouts Council Finder at girlscouts.org/councilfinder to connect with your local council for cookie booth locations and sale details.
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New Explormores leave much to be desired. There is no crunch, not gluten free which one of my kids requires, no almond taste described. Please bring back s’mores