Tagalong Bars are a homemade version of the classic Girl Scout Cookie. A buttery shortbread crust with a creamy peanut butter filling, topped with rich chocolate. Some say this recipe is even better than the original Tagalong cookie!
Tagalong Bars are my contribution to Girl Scout Cookie season…which basically means I snagged their idea. I mean, not in a bad guy, thieving kinda of way, just in an “inspired by” way. That’s a thing, right?
And plus, having purchased no less than 25 boxes of Girl Scout cookies this year alone I feel confident that I am doing my part.
I just can’t say no to those cute girls selling cookies. Not that I even want to say no…I mean…you can only get them once-ish a year, so they’re totally rare, like an eclipse or locusts.
I mean what happens in October when you need a Thin Mint? Panic!
Anyhow, these bars are just a twist on the famous Tagalong that the Girl Scouts sell. And because I love me some bar cookies I wanted to make these in square form.
So here we go…Tagalong Bars
How To Make the Shortbread Crust for Tagalong Bars
First you just make a simple shortbread crust. I used Challenge Butter in this recipe, because it’s my favorite. If you have been a reader of my site for any length of time you know I use Challenge almost exclusively. It’s always consistently creamy, fresh, and delicious. It’s 100% pasteurized sweet cream and salt…that’s it. Using a quality butter in shortbread absolutely makes a difference!
You simply bake the crust until it’s lightly golden and then let it cool!
Next make the filling, which is simple…just peanut butter and powdered sugar.
Spread the filling on top of the cooled crust…
Chill the filling while you make your topping. It will make spreading the chocolate on top easier.
It’s just chocolate and heavy cream…
Spread it carefully on your peanut butter layer…
Now chill it again so the chocolate layer sets and you’re ready to eat.
And eat.
Annnnd eat.
Tagalong Bars
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 20–25 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bowl
- Cuisine: American
Description
Tagalong Bars are a homemade version of the classic Girl Scout Cookie. A buttery shortbread crust with a creamy peanut butter filling, topped with rich chocolate. Some say this recipe is even better than the original Tagalong cookie!
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1/2 cup Challenge Butter, room temperature (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup flour
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate layer
- 1 1/4 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Shortbread Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Line 9×9 with aluminum foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray, set aside.
- In mixer fitted with your paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar for 1-2 minutes on medium speed until creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Turn the mixer to low and add in vanilla, milk, salt, and flour. Stir until incorporated and dough comes together.
- Press this evenly in your prepared pan and bake 15-20 minutes or until golden.
- Allow to cool completely before moving on to the filling.
Peanut Butter Filling
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream the peanut butter and powdered sugar together until smooth.
- Spread filling evenly on cookie crust.
- Chill for about 30 minutes.
Chocolate layer
- In a double boiler melt chocolate chips and cream until smooth.
- Spread on peanut butter layer.
- Chill until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
- Cut into squares.
Notes
Store at airtight at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days
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*This post is in partnership with my long-term relationship with Challenge Butter. All opinions are my own.
Oh yum, your bars look so good!
I want to bury my face in there!
I make a similar cookie that I call “twix cookies,” which are pretty much my favorite bar cookie. So instead of the peanut butter, I use caramel. I must try this recipe! Who doesn’t love a tagalong?!
The inner 10-year-old in me who once devoured half a row of Tagalongs in one sitting just died. These bars are officially on my “spring break specials” recipe list for this week. Thanks ! 🙂
I am literally making this right now, shortbread in the oven, peanut butter layer ready to go.
I have yet to find a girl scout cookie this year. Sad. So, I neeeeeed to make these. 😀
when I saw these my eyes almost popped out of my head. this is seriously my type of dessert!!!!!!
I am apparently the only person in the US who doesn’t know a girl scout. Every year I run around looking for places to buy cookies. These bars could probably do a great job holding me over until I locate some cookies. I need my yearly do-si-do fix.
Now I know what to make my dad for Father’s Day … he is a Tagalong ADDICT!
Oh, these look great!!!