Milano cookies are a classic cookie that has been around since 1907. They are recognizable by their yellow packaging and the iconic half-moon shape with chocolate on one side and vanilla on the other. But beyond the original chocolate and vanilla flavors, there are actually quite a few varieties of Milano cookies available today. Keep reading to find out exactly how many flavors of Milano cookies exist!
The Original Milano Cookies
As mentioned, Milano cookies were first created in 1907 by the National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco). The original flavors were just chocolate and vanilla – one side of the cookie featured cocoa flavored baked dough while the other side was vanilla flavored. These two flavors represent the iconic Milano and are still produced today after over 100 years. So the original Milano cookies have 2 flavors: chocolate and vanilla.
Standard Flavor Varieties
Beyond just chocolate and vanilla, several standard flavor varieties of Milano cookies have been introduced over the years. These core flavors are widely available and can be found in grocery stores or ordered online.
Here are the additional standard Milano cookie flavors beyond chocolate/vanilla:
- Lemon – Lemony flavored cookies with no chocolate
- Mint – Mint flavored with no chocolate
- Orange – Orange flavored cookies with no chocolate
- Raspberry – Raspberry flavored cookies with no chocolate
So with the original chocolate/vanilla cookies, plus these 4 additional standard flavors, there are a total of 6 regular Milano cookie varieties.
Seasonal and Limited Edition Flavors
In addition to the core flavors, Nabisco has released various seasonal and limited edition Milano flavors over the years. These are only available for a short time and can be tricky to find once the season or limited offering is over. Some of the seasonal/limited options have included:
- Peppermint – Available seasonally during the holidays
- Cotton Candy – Limited summer release
- S’mores – Limited summer release
- Pistachio – Limited spring release
- Pumpkin Spice – Available seasonally in the fall
- Gingerbread – Available seasonally in the winter
- Red Velvet – Limited Valentine’s Day release
- Birthday Cake – Limited spring release
Counting up these limited flavors brings the total number of Milano varieties up to 14.
The Milano Flavors List
To summarize, here is the full list of current and past Milano cookie flavors:
| Flavor | Details |
|---|---|
| Chocolate Vanilla | Original – Available year round |
| Lemon | Core flavor – Available year round |
| Mint | Core flavor – Available year round |
| Orange | Core flavor – Available year round |
| Raspberry | Core flavor – Available year round |
| Peppermint | Seasonal – Available in winter |
| Cotton Candy | Limited Edition – Summer release |
| S’mores | Limited Edition – Summer release |
| Pistachio | Limited Edition – Spring release |
| Pumpkin Spice | Seasonal – Available in fall |
| Gingerbread | Seasonal – Available in winter |
| Red Velvet | Limited Edition – Valentine’s Day |
| Birthday Cake | Limited Edition – Spring release |
As shown in the table, in total there are 14 identified Milano cookie flavors that have been produced by Nabisco over the years.
Availability of Milano Cookie Flavors
While 14 flavors have existed, they are not all available at the same time. The core flavors (chocolate/vanilla, lemon, mint, orange, raspberry) are available year-round. The seasonal flavors are offered coinciding with their season – pumpkin spice in fall, gingerbread in winter, etc.
The limited edition flavors are hardest to find, as they were only produced for a short promotional period. Those seeking limited batch cookies like pistachio or cotton candy will have to search secondhand sites once the limited batch has sold out.
In general, customers can expect to find 5-7 Milano cookie flavors available for purchase at any given time of the year. The core flavors, plus whatever seasonal flavor corresponds with the current season. Finding the limited offerings requires luck and perfect timing.
Most Popular Milano Cookie Flavors
While Nabisco has created 14 enticing cookie flavors, some varieties are more popular than others. Here are some of the most popular Milano cookie flavors according to sales data and customer reviews:
- Chocolate Vanilla – The original iconic flavor still reigns supreme according to sales numbers
- Peppermint – A seasonal favorite available in winter
- Lemon – A refreshing lighter option with high customer ratings
- Pumpkin Spice – One of the most popular seasonal fall cookie flavors
- Raspberry – Beloved for its fruity, sweet jam filling
While customers go crazy for the novel limited edition flavors, the traditional chocolate vanilla, pumpkin spice, and peppermint are still the most sought after and best-selling Milano flavors year after year.
Quality and Ingredients by Flavor
An important question beyond just the quantity of flavors – how does the quality and ingredients compare between Milano cookie varieties?
Fortunately, the great taste and quality is consistent across all Milano flavors. Nabisco uses real chocolate, fruit purees, and natural flavors in even its seasonal and limited edition cookies. So customers don’t have to worry about a variation in ingredients or artificial flavors as they try new Milano varieties.
The chocolate vanilla and flavors without chocolate do differ slightly in nutrition profile. The chocolate cookies are slightly higher in fat and calories compared to lemon or mint Milanos. But overall, the ingredients and nutrition are similar despite the fun range of flavors.
Gluten-Free and Other Milano Varieties
Beyond the core, seasonal, and limited flavors, there are a few additional varieties of Milano cookies to note:
- Gluten Free – Nabisco introduced a gluten-free version of the original chocolate vanilla Milano in 2019. This allows those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance to enjoy the iconic cookie.
- Mini Milanos – Smaller, bite-sized versions of the classic chocolate vanilla Milano are available for portion control or snacking.
- Milano Slices – Individual slices packaged like candy bars for easy on-the-go snacking.
So thoseseeking gluten-free, miniature, or grab-and-go options can find some variety beyond just the flavors. However, the gluten-free, mini, and sliced versions only come in the traditional chocolate and vanilla option at this time.
Coming Soon: New Milano Flavors
Nabisco occasionally releases new limited batch or seasonal Milano flavors. Based on past releases, customers can expect to see 1-2 new flavors hit shelves each year. Some potential upcoming flavors could include:
- Toffee – A buttery, rich caramel and chocolate cookie
- Fruity Pebbles – Tropical flavors inspired by the cereal
- Chocolate Pretzel – Salty and sweet with crunchy pretzel pieces
- Banana – Milano meets banana bread!
Food blogs and customer surveys indicate these are some of the most desired new flavors. But Nabisco keeps their upcoming offerings secret until release day. Milano fans will have to wait and see what new cookies they whip up next!
Conclusion
Milano cookies debuted over 100 years ago in just two flavors, but today you can find dozens of different Milano varieties. Nabisco has created 14 core, seasonal, and limited edition flavors so far. The most popular flavors remain the original chocolate vanilla and seasonal offerings like pumpkin spice and peppermint. While not every flavor is available year-round, customers can typically find 5-7 options at any given time. And new releases like a toffee or banana Milano promise even more cookie choices coming soon. So if you are a Milano fan, get ready to start sampling the huge range of flavors available now and coming in the future!