Tagalong Cookie Bars: A Perfect Copycat Recipe for Your Favorite Girl Scout Treat!

Turner Powers
Feb 13
3 min read

It's the long-awaited time of year again!!!

The most wonderful time of year… Girl Scout cookie season is here!!!

So imagine my surprise when I bit into those long-awaited little buttery, sweet bites of heaven, only to find that… wait… what the F?? Why does this taste so totally different??

Not only have the names changed, but it also seems like the recipes have too. So, much to my chagrin, I tossed the box into the trash and immediately Googled a recipe for my favorite (now seemingly long-gone) cookies.

After an extensive dive into the coveted baking bloggers’ archives, I pieced together a few different recipes and created the ultimate Tagalong Cookie Bars! These bars give you everything you love about the original—a buttery shortbread base, creamy peanut butter filling, and smooth chocolate coating—but in an easy-to-make bar form.

I wanted to share this recipe and hope y’all enjoy it as much as I have!

Tagalong Cookie Bars Recipe

These homemade Tagalong bars are ridiculously easy to make—no need to roll or cut individual cookies! You get all the flavors of the classic Girl Scout cookie but in a simple layered bar.

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Base:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Peanut Butter Layer:

1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Topping:

2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (for smooth melting)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Shortbread Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in vanilla extract, then gradually add flour and salt, stirring until a crumbly dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the baking dish and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let it cool completely.

2. Make the Peanut Butter Layer

In a bowl, stir together peanut butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Spread evenly over the cooled shortbread crust. Chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set.

3. Add the Chocolate Topping

Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Pour over the chilled peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove air bubbles.

4. Chill & Cut

Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm.
Cut into squares or bars and enjoy!

Why You’ll Love These Tagalong Cookie Bars

✔️ Easy to Make – No rolling or shaping individual cookies! Just layer, chill, and cut.

✔️ Tastes Just Like the Original – That classic buttery shortbread + peanut butter + chocolate combo is on point!

✔️ Perfect for Sharing – These bars are great for parties, bake sales, or just devouring straight from the fridge.

✔️ Longer Shelf Life – Store them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for a month of Tagalong bliss!

Pro Tips for the Best Tagalong Bars

✅ Use Crunchy Peanut Butter – If you love a little extra texture, swap out creamy peanut butter for crunchy.

✅ Don’t Overbake the Shortbread – It should be lightly golden, not brown! Overbaking will make it too hard.

✅ Sprinkle a Little Sea Salt on Top – A tiny bit of flaky sea salt balances the sweetness beautifully.

✅ Dip the Bottom in Chocolate – For an extra-authentic Tagalong experience, dip the bottoms of the bars in chocolate before drizzling the top!

If you’re feeling betrayed by the new Girl Scout cookie formulas (seriously, why mess with perfection?!), these Tagalong Cookie Bars will bring back that nostalgic taste we all know and love.

They’re dangerously addictive, ridiculously easy to make, and a total game-changer when you need your Girl Scout cookie fix year-round.

Try them out and let me know what you think! Tag me if you bake these—I’d love to see your creations. 🍫🥜✨