Cookies and Cream is an indica-dominant cannabis strain bred from Starfighter and Girl Scout Cookies, known for a sweet vanilla and cream flavor and a warm, relaxing high. It is usually credited to Exotic Genetix in Washington state. Flower generally tests between about 18% and 26% THC, with some phenotypes going higher.
Cookies and Cream Strain at a Glance
| Type | Indica-dominant hybrid |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Cookies & Cream |
| Lineage | Starfighter × Girl Scout Cookies |
| Breeder / origin | Exotic Genetix (Washington state) |
| THC | 18–26% (typical lab range) |
| CBD | Under 1% |
| Dominant terpenes | Beta-caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene |
| Aroma and flavor | sweet vanilla, cream, earthy, mint, vanilla, sweet dough, earthy spice |
| Reported effects | relaxed, happy, euphoric, sleepy |
| Best for | evening use, unwinding, dessert-style flavor fans |
| Flowering time | 8–9 weeks |
Where Cookies and Cream Comes From
Cookies and Cream is most often described as a cross of Starfighter and Girl Scout Cookies. Starfighter, itself an indica-leaning strain tied to Alien Genetics, is generally listed as an F2 in this cross. The Girl Scout Cookies parent is sometimes described as an unspecified phenotype, so the exact cut is not documented.
The breeder is usually given as Exotic Genetix, a Washington state outfit, which makes this one of the few Cookies-family strains with a Pacific Northwest origin. Accounts describe the breeder acquiring Starfighter from Alien Genetics and already having a GSC cut in the garden when the two were paired.
Cookies and Cream became a dispensary staple in Washington and then well beyond. Its name is easy to remember, and the flavor lives up to it. It has also been used as a parent in many modern hybrids, particularly dessert-style crosses.
Cookies and Cream Effects: What It Feels Like
Cookies and Cream opens with a cheerful, floating mood lift that settles over the head and face. Over the next half hour the body relaxes, with a gentle heaviness in the limbs and a quieter mind. Many people describe it as happy and mellow without being foggy.
It is best suited to the second half of the day: dinner, a show, conversation with friends, or an easy evening in. Moderate doses are relaxing without knocking most people out, while larger ones commonly lead to sleepiness. Since the THC is often in the 20s, newer consumers should take things slowly.
Cookies and Cream Terpenes, Aroma and Flavor
The aroma is sweet and creamy, with vanilla, sugar cookie and earthy notes and, in some jars, a hint of mint from the Girl Scout Cookies side. Breaking the bud open brings out more spice and a faint skunky undertone.
On the inhale, expect sweet dough and cream, with an earthy, mildly peppery finish. Caryophyllene is the most commonly reported lead terpene, with limonene and myrcene behind it. Terpene balance varies by grower and phenotype, so some jars lean more toward vanilla and others more toward earth.
- Beta-caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, also found in black pepper and cloves
- Limonene: bright citrus, also found in lemon and orange peel
- Myrcene: earthy, musky and herbal, also found in mango and hops
Terpene levels vary from grower to grower and batch to batch, so check the lab label on the package. Learn more in our guide to cannabis terpenes.
Side Effects and How to Use Cookies and Cream
Dry mouth and dry eyes are the most common complaints. Drowsiness is likely at larger doses, and some users feel dizzy or briefly anxious if they take too much. Start with a small amount, keep water nearby and avoid driving.
If you are new to Cookies and Cream, start with one small inhalation or 2.5 mg in an edible and wait before taking more; see our dosing guide.
Do People Use Cookies and Cream for Medical Reasons?
Consumers often report using Cookies and Cream for stress, trouble sleeping, aches and low appetite, because of the calming body effect and the mood lift. These are user reports and not medical evidence, and anyone with a health condition should consult a healthcare professional.
These are user reports, not clinical findings. For what research actually supports, see our cannabis health and research section, and talk to your doctor before using cannabis for a health condition.
Growing Cookies and Cream
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Flowering: 8–9 weeks
- Yield: Medium
- Height: Short to medium
- Environment: Indoor or greenhouse; outdoor in warm, dry climates
Cookies and Cream grows as a compact, branching plant with dense, frosty flowers. The density that makes it attractive also raises the risk of bud rot, so airflow and humidity control are important. In western Washington and Oregon, an outdoor crop is at risk during wet autumns, and indoor or greenhouse growing is safer. Growers report good response to topping and defoliation, though yields and flowering times vary by phenotype.
Home-grow rules depend on the state: adults can grow at home in states such as California (six plants per residence), Michigan (12 per residence) and Oregon (four per household), while Washington and Illinois allow home growing only for registered medical patients. Check your state in our cannabis laws by state guide before you plant anything.
Strains Like Cookies and Cream
- Girl Scout Cookies: the parent that supplies the sweet dough flavor
- Wedding Cake: another vanilla-forward Cookies-family hybrid
- Gelato: a sweet dessert strain with a balanced, calm high
- Do-Si-Dos: a relaxing GSC descendant with a creamy flavor
- Biscotti: a Cookies-family strain with a sweet, earthy profile
- Ice Cream Cake: a creamy, sedating dessert strain
Browse more indica strains, the full strain directory, or our guide to cannabis strains.
More Indica Strains to Explore
Cookies Kush · Critical Kush · Critical Mass · Coffin Candy · Cherry Cheesecake · Chemo · All indica strains
Where to Buy Cookies and Cream
Dispensary menus change every week, and Cookies and Cream may be sold under its own name, as a cross or as a pre-roll or vape. The fastest way to find it is to check store menus online before you go. In Medford, browse Medford dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Nectar Medford and Cloud 9 Wellness. In Long Beach, browse Long Beach dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Haven Cannabis Marijuana and Weed Dispensary – Paramount and Stilo Supply. You can also browse licensed dispensaries in every state we cover. Adults 21 and older can buy with a valid photo ID; see cannabis laws by state for purchase limits.
Cookies and Cream FAQ
Is Cookies and Cream indica or sativa?
Cookies and Cream is an indica-dominant hybrid with a relaxing effect that most people prefer later in the day.
What is Cookies and Cream a cross of?
Starfighter and Girl Scout Cookies.
Who bred Cookies and Cream?
It is usually credited to Exotic Genetix in Washington state.
How strong is Cookies and Cream?
Reported THC runs from about 18% to 26%, with some phenotypes testing higher. Check the lab label for the batch.
What does Cookies and Cream taste like?
Sweet vanilla and cream with an earthy, slightly peppery finish.
Is Cookies and Cream good for sleep?
Many users find it relaxing enough for bedtime, particularly at larger doses. Effects vary by person.
For adults 21+ in legal states. Strain information reflects breeder descriptions, lab data and user reports; effects vary by person and batch. Not medical advice.
