These easy-to-make Keto Tagalong Bars taste just like the original Girl Scout Cookie! You won’t believe they are low carb and sugar-free.
Way way back, in the early days of dreaming up low carb recipes, I created some peanut butter shortbread bars. And it took me by surprise, how good they were. Everything came together just perfectly.
My husband took one bite and said they tasted like his favorite Girl Scout cookies, Tagalongs. I was absolutely thrilled with such a comparison. And we made them frequently for a few months.
But as a recipe creator is wont to do, I moved on to make many other wonderful keto cookies and cookie bars. I perfected my Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. I created some gorgeous Salted Caramel Bars. And I conquered the perfect texture for Keto Shortbread Cookies.
I all but forgot my lovely Tagalong Bars in the meantime. Until now!
Why you need these in your life
If you find it difficult to resist the siren’s call of Girl Scout Cookies, then this recipe is for you! They are a delicious sugar-free copycat of the famous Tagalong Cookies.
But unlike individual cookies, these bars are remarkably easy to make. You press the crust into a pan and bake it. You make an easy peanut butter filling and pour it over. Then you melt some sugar-free chocolate and spread it on top. Done, finished, finito!
I actually have a recipe for Keto Tagalong Cookies as well and I love them. But they are definitely more time consuming.
And these bars have just a fraction of the carbs compared to real Girl Scout Cookies. Only 4.1g net carbs per serving!
Ingredients you need
- Almond flour: A good fine almond flour makes the best shortbread crust. I do not recommend coconut flour here. But if you can’t eat almonds, you can try sunflower seed flour.
- Sweetener: I recommend an erythritol based sweetener for the crust, such as Swerve Granular. Don’t use allulose or BochaSweet, as they will prevent the crust from crisping up. You will need a confectioner’s style sweetener for the filling.
- Butter: Good shortbread crusts always use butter!
- Peanut butter: I use a good creamy natural peanut butter like Santa Cruz. They have a no-stir version that means you can just scoop it and measure it out.
- Heavy cream: Heavy cream helps create a delicious peanut butter filling with a frosting-like consistency.
- Caramel or vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is an easy pantry staple. But if you can get your hands on some caramel extract, it adds amazing flavor!
- Sugar free chocolate: ChocZero is one of my favorite brands and you can use the dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips for these bars. Also use FOODDREAMER for 10% off your order!
Step by Step Directions
1. Prepare the shortbread crust: Combine the almond flour, sweetener, and salt in a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine. Sprinkle the butter pieces overtop and continue to pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
2. Bake the crust: Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 8×8 inch baking pan and bake at 350ºF for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and let cool.
3. Make the peanut butter filling: In a microwave safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and butter and cook until melted and it can be stirred together. You can also do this in a pan on the stove over very low heat. Stir in the powdered sweetener until well combined and then whisk in the cream and the extract.
4. Spread over the crust: Pour the mixture over cooled crust and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.
5. Make the topping: In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chopped chocolate and the butter. Heat on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat and make your chocolate seize.
6. Spread over the filling: Spread over the chilled filling. Return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the chocolate.
Expert tips
While almond flour makes the crust more like real shortbread, you can use other nut or seed flours for these bars. It won’t be as fine looking, and you may need a little additional butter to help it hold together better. I do not recommend coconut flour for a crust like this.
Many natural peanut butters don’t contain any salt. If you use unsalted butter and unsalted peanut butter, you may want to add ¼ teaspoon fine salt to the filling. It will bring out the sweetness more.
Melt the chocolate carefully in the microwave, in short increments. But you can also do it in a pan over very low heat. I like to use the same bowl or pan I did the peanut butter filling in so there are fewer dishes to wash at the end!
Frequently Asked Questions
Tagalong cookies are a popular treat sold by American Girl Scouts. They feature a shortbread cookie covered in chocolate, with a sweetened peanut butter filling. They are also known as Peanut Butter Patties.
Conventional Tagalongs have 13g of carbs per serving. These Keto Tagalong Bars have only 6.8g carbs and 2.7g fiber per serving. So they have a net carb count of 4.1g.
You can store the bars on the counter in a covered container for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to 8 days. They can also be frozen for several months.
More Girl Scout Inspired Recipes
Keto Tagalong Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ¼ cups almond flour
- ⅓ cup Swerve Sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup butter chilled and cut into small pieces
Peanut Butter Caramel Filling
- ⅔ cup creamy natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon caramel extract can use vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 3 ½ ounces dark chocolate chips, sugar-free
- 2 tablespoon butter
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and lightly grease an 8×8 inch metal baking pan.
- Combine the almond flour, sweetener, and salt in a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine. Sprinkle the butter pieces overtop and continue to pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan pan and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove and let cool.
Peanut Butter Filling
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and butter and cook until melted and it can be stirred together. You can also do this in a pan on the stove over very low heat.
- Stir in the powdered sweetener until well combined and then whisk in the cream and the extract. Pour over cooled crust and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.
Chocolate Topping
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chopped chocolate and the butter (you can use the same bowl or pan from the peanut butter mixture).
- Heat on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat and make your chocolate seize.
- Spread over the chilled filling. Return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the chocolate.
Sylvie @ GITK says
I'm with you, I think we need a whole century of peanut butter! Love the stuff.
Kiri W. says
Ooooh my, shortbread AND peanut butter AND caramel? I'm in heaven over here!
Island Vittles says
I should have asked for a new blender last week…would've saved myself some cash! Congratulations on your new coffee maker, and, of course, these heavenly bars — that IS saying a lot that you think they're the best low-carb thing you've ever made. Everything you make looks insane (including the failed meringues!)
lizzydo says
Congrats on your visit from the Fairy Hobmother!!! And thank you for sharing this fabulous bar! It looks amazing with 3 different delicious layers…mmmmmm….I know I couldn't leave these alone 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Alison Lewis says
these look amazing!
Magic of Spice says
National peanut butter month…I'm in 🙂 These do look heavenly for sure and I trust you that they taste that way 🙂
AnneW says
These bars look wonderful. They will be made. Congrats on your new coffee maker. My desire would be for a KitchenAid stand mixer-I've wanted one for years and years..
ACambridgeStory says
As someone who isn't gluten or carb free, I would love to try these!
Laurie says
I love to read your blog and drool over your yummy recipes. Thanks so much for working so hard for the benefit of us all. When I saw the Peanut Butter Caramel, I knew this is the next recipe I have to try.
That's so cool about the Fairy Hobmother. I'm glad you got your coffee maker. I could sure use a new food processor. The blade on mine broke awhile back and I've just had to do without it.
Laura says
These look totally yummy! I will have to make them now. As far as an appliance, I would love to have a Ninja blender system. They just look so cool on the infomercial and would make my life cooking and baking in the kitchen so much easier!
Birgit says
Ohh, those look fantastic! Can't wait to try them!
And for a small appliance, I would have to go with a gelato maker. You know, the kind that doesn't need any bowls pre-freezing or ice cubes and salt and makes that heavenly consistency only gelato can have.
Giuliana says
Oh these look divine! I love love love peanut butter, and shortbread is always perfect for the holidays. This is the first Christmas since I started "low-carb" baking, so I am anxious to try these!
If I could have any small kitchen appliance…. hmm… would have to say an immersion blender! Ours broke over the summer and between graduation, 2 new jobs, school, my husband's graduation, gifts, birthdays, etc, I just haven't had the ability to get a new one!
Thank you, Carolyn, for another wonderful recipe!
RavieNomNoms says
This looks amazing!!! I am so impressed with these. I have been seeing so many peanut butter things. My peanut butter love is just growing and growing this week!
simon says
i copy istantly this very cool recipe ..in my notebook blessing simmy from Itay
The_Mom_Chef says
My mom was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago so I'm going to be visiting here a bunch between now and Christmas when we head up to visit. It falls upon me to bring all the sweet stuff and now that she can't eat the normal goodies (but loves them), I need to find alternatives. This one is perfect.
She's also a chocolate hound so lil ole chocolate hating me will be making chocolate goodies. I just need to do my best to keep the rest of the family away!
I'm so glad that the Fairy Hobmother visited you. It couldn't happen to a more gracious, kind and wonderful person! Since her cousin, the Tooth Fairy, will be visiting us any time now she'll probably hear about how badly I've wanted a KitchenAid stand mixer for a number of years. 🙂
Lora @cakeduchess says
I'm so happy the Fairy Hobmother chose you:)These bars look fantastic. I adore caramel and would love to try one of these delicious bars right now. xx
Terra says
Oooohhhh these do look heavenly!!!! Yum-O:-) I just bought more almond flour too, bonus! I honestly couldn't think of a kitchen appliance, we have so many, BUT I know I would love all the fun attachments that go with my mixer. I would especially love the pasta maker attachment:-) Have a very Happy Thanksgiving! Sending hugs, Terra
Marney says
Are you using the granulated sweetener or powdered? Or do you think it matters?
I do have powdered Swerve but other varieties of granulated sweetener–thinking maybe golden Lakanto might work well with this flavour combo if granulated.
Carolyn says
If it doesn’t say powdered, then it’s granular.. but it probably doesn’t matter in this recipe at all.
Roxana GreenGirl says
No wonder you couldn't wait to share the recipe with us. I'm pretty sure that's what they serve in Peanut Butter heaven. Wonder where can I get my ticket from…
Happy Thanksgiving Carolyn! Enjoy you coffee maker!
Baker Street says
Wow! PB and caramel! Love that its gluten free! Happy Thanksgiving C! 🙂
Belinda @zomppa says
Don't need a month dedicated to the awesome PB to devour these! Happy Thanksgiving!
Kari Cordell says
I just made these and can I just say OMG! These are so good! Sorry little Girls Scouts you have just been replaced! I will just have to donate money and not take your cookies!
Rebekah Allen says
I feel the same! Carolyn is the best food blogger really. I discovered her about three years ago when looking for Trim Healthy Mama recipes. I was a little disappointed that her Ketogenic cookbook did not focus more on deserts, but it is a beautiful book and I will try the non-dessert recipes.
Carolyn says
Well you do know that I am coming out with a desserts only book very soon, right?
Claudia says
OMG, that is AWESOME news!!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but I LOVE the fact that you unabashedly embrace the need for sweets on a keto diet. Some days, it’s the only thing that keeps me SANE.
Genet Harris says
Well ! Where is the like button for that one !!! 🙂
Linda says
Your recipes are fantastic and I love your videos! I have made many of them! I had already been using swerve sweetener, coconut flour and the various nut flours when I first found you and was so excited to have these recipes. I love to bake and find your recipes absolutely delicious! Thank you!!
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Nicole says
These are so decadent! I doubled the crust just because it didn’t quite fit my tin initially and they came out perfectly, will definitely be making these again
Bryan says
Literally the best keto dessert I’ve ever made. Unreal… I didn’t have the chocolate chips so I made my chocolate later from coconut oil sweetener and cocoa powder (I added some xanthan guy and whey isolate protein to bump up the protein) and I couldn’t tell a difference. It was hard like chocolate and tasted yummy. 10/10!