Irresistible Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs: Your Homemade, Guilt-Free Plant-Based Treat

Discover the magic of homemade vegan “Tagalong” cookies, reimagined with a rich almond butter twist! Crafted effortlessly with just a few wholesome ingredients: almond flour, creamy almond butter, natural maple syrup, and decadent dark chocolate.

There’s an undeniable comfort that comes with baking, especially when the world outside feels overwhelming. In moments when clarity feels elusive, the simple act of creating something delicious can be a grounding experience. Food has a unique way of bringing us together, sparking conversations, and offering a sweet escape. It’s this spirit of warmth and connection that inspired me to share this truly special recipe with you today: our Homemade Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs.

These cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful nod to a cherished childhood classic, reinvented with a modern, health-conscious twist. Forget the complex ingredient lists and lengthy preparation times. This recipe proves that extraordinary flavor and wholesome goodness can come from just five core ingredients, transforming simple pantry staples into an unforgettable treat. Prepare to fall in love with a sweet almond flour nougat cookie, a luscious almond butter center, all encased in rich, bittersweet dark chocolate.

If you’re looking for a recipe that combines nostalgia with nutritious alternatives, you’ve come to the right place. These Tagalongs are not only incredibly easy to make but also cater to various dietary preferences, being vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free. They are truly a testament to how simple ingredients can create something spectacular, offering a moment of pure joy in every bite. Get ready to tag along for this culinary adventure; your taste buds will thank you!

Homemade Vegan Tagalongs with a Delicious Almond Butter Twist

For many, Tagalongs evoke cherished memories of Girl Scout cookie season, a delightful annual tradition. These iconic cookies, with their irresistible combination of a crisp shortbread base, creamy peanut butter layer, and rich chocolate coating, often competed with Samoas for the top spot in our hearts (and cookie stashes!). If you’re unfamiliar with the magic of a Tagalong, allow me to introduce you to one of the most addictive cookie experiences you’ll ever have. The original features a flat, crispy cookie layered with peanut butter and sweet chocolate.

My goal for this recipe was to capture that beloved essence while putting a unique and healthier spin on it for the blog. The most significant (and arguably best!) alteration? Swapping out traditional peanut butter for velvety almond butter. This small change elevates the flavor profile, introducing a delicate nuttiness that perfectly complements the dark chocolate and almond flour cookie base. Each cookie boasts an irresistible layer of all-natural almond butter, tucked into the sweet, soft center of the nougat-like cookie. This substitution not only offers a slightly different taste experience but also contributes to the cookie’s impressive dietary benefits.

Beyond the delightful flavor, these homemade Tagalongs are a dream come true for those seeking healthier alternatives. They are entirely vegan, making them suitable for plant-based diets. Furthermore, by utilizing almond flour, they are naturally gluten-free and grain-free, appealing to individuals with specific dietary needs or preferences. And to top it all off, we’ve made them refined sugar-free, relying on the natural sweetness of maple syrup and quality dark chocolate. This means you can indulge in this nostalgic treat without any guilt, knowing you’re enjoying a wholesome and delicious dessert that truly satisfies.

Essential Ingredients for Your Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs

One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its simplicity, requiring only five key ingredients that are likely already in your pantry or easily accessible. We prioritize whole, natural foods to create a treat that is as nourishing as it is delicious. Here’s what you’ll need to embark on your Vegan Almond Butter Tagalong journey:

• Super-fine almond flour: This forms the foundation of our cookie base, providing a tender, crumbly texture and a delicate nutty flavor. Using super-fine almond flour is crucial for the best consistency, ensuring a smooth dough and a perfectly baked cookie. It’s also the secret to keeping these cookies wonderfully gluten-free and grain-free.
• Refined coconut oil (melted): A staple in vegan baking, coconut oil helps bind the cookie dough and contributes to a rich, satisfying mouthfeel. Refined coconut oil has a neutral flavor, ensuring it doesn’t impart any coconut taste to your Tagalongs, allowing the almond and chocolate flavors to shine.
• Pure maple syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, maple syrup adds a lovely warmth and depth of flavor without the need for refined sugars. Its liquid form also helps achieve the ideal dough consistency, contributing to both taste and texture.
• All-natural almond butter: This is the star of our Tagalong twist! Opt for a smooth, runny, all-natural almond butter with minimal added ingredients (ideally just almonds and salt). Its creaminess is essential for achieving that classic, decadent middle layer. This also forms the core of our “almond butter twist” and provides healthy fats and protein.
• Hu Kitchen Simple Dark Chocolate Bar: For the perfect outer shell, we choose high-quality dark chocolate. Hu Kitchen’s Simple Dark Chocolate is an excellent choice as it’s typically made with minimal, wholesome ingredients, ensuring a dairy-free and refined sugar-free coating. Its rich flavor perfectly balances the sweetness of the cookie and almond butter. This article is brought to you by Hu Kitchen, a brand whose commitment to simple, wholesome ingredients aligns perfectly with our recipe’s philosophy.

That’s truly it! With these foundational ingredients, you’re well on your way to creating an incredibly satisfying and remarkably simple dessert.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Vegan Tagalongs Cookies

Making these vegan almond butter Tagalongs is a straightforward and enjoyable process. The key is to prepare each layer diligently, allowing sufficient chilling time to ensure they set perfectly. Let’s break down the steps:

1. Prepare the Cookie Base

The journey to these delightful cookies begins with creating the sturdy yet tender cookie base. This “nougat” layer is simple to whip up and comes together quickly.

• First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the super-fine almond flour, melted refined coconut oil, and pure maple syrup.
• Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they form a thick, sticky, and pliable dough. It should be easy to handle and hold its shape.
• Using a 1-inch tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough. Roll each portion gently with your hands into a neat, round ball.
• Place each ball onto your parchment-lined baking sheet. Then, gently flatten each ball with the palm of your hand to create a uniform circular disc, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Now, create a small indent in the center of each cookie. You can use your thumb or the back of a small spoon. This indentation is crucial as it will later cradle the luscious almond butter filling.
• Bake the cookies for 14-15 minutes, or until their edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the bottoms are lightly browned. The cookies should be firm but still slightly soft in the center.
• Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. This step is vital to ensure they firm up and are easy to handle for the next layer. Patience is a virtue here!

Adding the Creamy Almond Butter Layer

Once your cookie bases have fully cooled, it’s time to add the star of the show: the creamy almond butter layer. This step transforms the simple cookie into a true Tagalong experience.

• Carefully spoon about one teaspoon of all-natural almond butter into the indent of each cooled cookie.
• For the best results and easiest assembly, I highly recommend using a fresh, runny almond butter. A smoother, more fluid almond butter will spread effortlessly and create a wonderfully creamy texture that contrasts beautifully with the cookie base and chocolate shell. If your almond butter is a bit thick, you can gently warm it for a few seconds in the microwave or a double boiler to achieve a runnier consistency.
• Using the back of your spoon, gently spread the almond butter in a wide circle, ensuring it fills the indent and slightly covers the top surface of the cookie. Be careful not to let it spill over the edges, as this can make the next step (chocolate dipping) more challenging.
• Once all the cookies have their almond butter topping, carefully transfer the baking sheet to the freezer. Let them chill for 10-15 minutes. This freezing step is critical; it allows the almond butter to firm up significantly, ensuring it stays intact during the chocolate-dipping process and creates a clean, defined layer.
• While the cookies are chilling, you can begin preparing your chocolate, which we’ll cover in the next section.

The Grand Finale: Enrobing in Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate

Now for the exciting part – coating your almond butter wonders in a luscious layer of dark chocolate! This is where the magic truly happens, bringing all the flavors and textures together into one perfect bite.

• First, melt your chosen dark chocolate. I highly recommend using a high-quality chocolate bar like the Hu Kitchen Simple Dark Chocolate Bar for its rich flavor and clean ingredients. Break the chocolate bar into small pieces and add them to a medium saucepan.
• Melt the chocolate over medium-low heat, stirring consistently. This gentle heat and constant stirring are essential to prevent the chocolate from burning or seizing. You want a smooth, glossy, flowing melted chocolate pool. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
• Once fully melted, transfer the chocolate to a bowl that is wide enough for easy dipping.
• Retrieve your almond butter-topped cookies from the freezer. Because they are frozen, the chocolate will harden quickly upon contact, which is exactly what we want!
• Using two forks, carefully submerge each frozen cookie entirely into the melted dark chocolate. The forks allow you to fully coat the cookie without getting your fingers messy and help drain excess chocolate.
• Lift the cookie out, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. This ensures a clean, even coating.
• Carefully place the chocolate-coated cookie back onto your parchment-lined baking sheet. You’ll need to work relatively quickly here, as the chocolate will begin to set almost immediately due to the frozen cookie.
• Once all the cookies are gloriously dunked in dark chocolate, transfer the baking sheet back to the freezer. Let them chill for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is completely firm to the touch. This final chill ensures the chocolate sets perfectly and provides that satisfying snap when you bite into it.

Serving and Storing Your Homemade Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs

Once your Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs are perfectly set, they are ready to be enjoyed! These delightful cookies make an excellent anytime dessert, a perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or afternoon tea, or a guilt-free treat to satisfy those late-night cravings. Their rich flavor and satisfying texture make them truly versatile.

The “trick” to perfecting this recipe, ensuring each layer is distinct and structurally sound, lies in the freezing steps. Do not skip or rush the chilling process after adding the almond butter and again after the chocolate coating. These extra precautions guarantee that your layers are beautifully set and sturdy, preventing any messy mishaps. This also ensures a clean, professional finish, mimicking the store-bought originals but with all the goodness of homemade.

These cookies are wonderful to make with others! Gather your kids, friends, or significant other for a fun baking session. It’s a rewarding experience to create these treats together, and the results are truly worth it. Plus, sharing the process often makes the final product even sweeter.

Storage Recommendations:

• Once the chocolate is fully hardened, you can carefully peel the cookies off the parchment paper.
• Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The chilled environment helps maintain their structure and extends their freshness.
• For longer-term storage, these Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs freeze beautifully. Simply place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They can be frozen for several months. I personally love to store mine in the freezer for a quick, chilled treat whenever the craving strikes – the texture is absolutely divine when eaten directly from the freezer!

Enjoy these wholesome, delicious, and incredibly satisfying homemade Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs. They’re a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary joy!

Explore More Vegan Girl Scout Cookie Favorites

If you loved this vegan take on Tagalongs, you’re in for a treat! The world of plant-based Girl Scout cookie inspired desserts is vast and delicious. Here are a couple more of my favorite recipes that bring back that nostalgic joy, completely veganized:

• Chocolate Dipped Vegan Do-Si-Dos

• Vegan Toasted Coconut Samoas

These recipes offer more opportunities to indulge in your favorite cookie flavors, made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying all to yourself!

I Want to Hear From You!

If you decide to make this delightful Vegan Almond Butter Tagalongs recipe, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Your feedback is invaluable and truly helps me create more delicious and exciting recipes for you to enjoy.

Please take a moment to leave a comment below, share your rating, and write a review. Let me know what you thought of the flavors, the texture, and how easy it was to make. Your insights are incredibly helpful to me and to other home bakers looking for their next favorite treat!

Don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram! I absolutely adore seeing your culinary creations. Be sure to use the hashtag #floraandvino so I can find and admire your beautiful cookies. It’s always a joy to connect with you through our shared love of food.

For more plant-based inspiration and delicious recipes like this one, be sure to check out my Pinterest page. You can pin your favorite recipes to make later and build your collection of wholesome treats.

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XO Lauren

This post is proudly brought to you by Hu Kitchen, a brand that shares our passion for simple, wholesome ingredients. All words and delicious eats, however, are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the incredible sponsors that help keep me inspired and hungry for more!