A rocky road remix joins the 2026 cookie season
A classic ice cream flavor is getting the cookie treatment. Girl Scouts of the USA says a new sandwich cookie called Exploremores will debut in the 2026 season, built around the rocky road profile: chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond–flavored crème. Framed as a nod to curiosity and outdoor adventure, the cookie adds a fresh twist to a lineup that has anchored American snack culture for generations.
The organization describes Exploremores as capturing the “spirit of exploration” that drives its program. It will be available nationwide, both online and at local booths, right alongside staples like Thin Mints and Samoas (sold as Caramel deLites in some regions). Most councils run cookie sales from January through April, though exact dates vary city to city.
The new flavor arrives in a system that’s both deeply traditional and quietly flexible. Two licensed bakers—ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers—produce the cookies, which is why names can differ by region: Samoas vs. Caramel deLites, Tagalongs vs. Peanut Butter Patties, and so on. Exploremores is positioned as a complement to those classics rather than a replacement, signaling another evolution in a lineup that rarely sits still.
As described so far, Exploremores is a sandwich cookie with a crème filling that blends chocolate and marshmallow notes with a toasted almond–flavored kick. That “almond-flavored” detail matters for anyone scanning for allergens; flavoring doesn’t always equal nuts, so shoppers should check their local box for the ingredient list and the baker’s allergen statement. Each baker publishes its own labels, and formulas can vary slightly by producer.
Recent cookie seasons show how the program experiments with flavors without losing its core. Adventurefuls, a brownie-inspired cookie, launched in 2022 and quickly found a following. Raspberry Rally arrived as an online-only option in 2023 before being pulled from the rotation the following year. S’mores had a run with two different takes across the bakers. The pattern is clear: test something new, keep what sticks, and make room for the next idea.
That approach isn’t just about taste. The cookie program is the country’s largest girl-led entrepreneurial experience. Through badges like My First Cookie Business, My Cookie Customer, and My Cookie Team, participants practice goal-setting, decisions, budgeting, speaking to customers, and ethics. Proceeds stay local with councils and troops, helping pay for camps, STEM labs, travel, community projects, and financial aid. The sale is the fundraiser, but it’s also the classroom.
Availability and pricing will follow the usual playbook. Local councils set prices, which have typically ranged from about $5 to $7 per box in recent seasons, with some specialty cookies priced a bit higher. Online ordering and shipping are now standard options, with many troops using approved digital platforms to reach friends and family beyond their neighborhood. In-person booths remain the heart of the season—easy to spot outside grocery stores when the weather turns cold.
Supply has been a watch point in the past. Production delays in 2023 reminded everyone how demand can quickly outstrip output. Announcing a 2026 flavor now gives bakers more time to plan ingredients and capacity, which should help councils set realistic targets and reduce last-minute shortages. For families, the message is simple: if Exploremores becomes a hit, don’t wait too long to snag a box.
Why rocky road? It’s a nostalgic flavor with broad appeal—chocolate and marshmallow do most of the talking, with the almond vibe adding depth. The name Exploremores leans into the Girl Scout identity: outdoor treks, campfires, new badges, and big goals. It’s easy to picture the cookie as a booth-day conversation starter.
For new customers, here’s the short version of how the season works. The cookie sale is a limited run. Councils publish local start dates, troops collect orders online or face-to-face, and deliveries follow. If you have dietary needs, labels are your friend. If you’re gifting or stocking up, most boxes freeze well, and many fans keep a “back-of-freezer” stash for the months between seasons.
For volunteers and returning families, the playbook stays familiar but the flavor mix opens fresh angles—especially when talking to regulars who’ve tried everything. That’s where a novelty like Exploremores can help: it gives teams a reason to reconnect with past customers and pitch a small add-on to their usual order.
What the new cookie means for troops and customers
Beyond the hype, Exploremores is a tool. It adds variety, fuels conversations, and can nudge average orders a bit higher—helping troops reach bigger goals. With councils keeping the proceeds in their communities, those extra boxes turn into real programs and real trips, not abstractions.
- Season window: Most areas sell January–April; councils set exact dates and booth schedules.
- Price range: Councils decide pricing. In recent years, most boxes landed around $5–$7, with some premium items higher.
- Distribution: Online ordering, shipping, and local delivery sit alongside the classic booth experience.
- Bakers: Two suppliers mean slight differences in taste, names, and labels across the country.
- Allergens: “Almond-flavored crème” is flavoring language. Check the box for each baker’s ingredient and allergen list.
The cookie program started more than a century ago, and it’s still evolving. That endurance comes from a mix of familiar favorites, limited-time experiments, and a mission that feels concrete when a troop can point to a camp renovation or a robotics kit paid for by cookie sales. Exploremores fits the mold—new enough to get attention, grounded enough to sit next to the classics.
If the rocky road concept lands, expect it to become part of the small circle of flavors people ask about by name. If it doesn’t, the lineup will shift again, as it always has. Either way, the 2026 season now has its headline flavor—and plenty of troops ready to turn that buzz into real-world skills and experiences.
For anyone planning ahead, mark your calendar for early 2026. If you’re a first-time buyer, a volunteer, or a long-time fan, you’ll have the same two things to look forward to: a new cookie to try and a local troop to support. And yes, there will still be Thin Mints in the freezer—right next to your box of Girl Scout Cookies called Exploremores.
