Grocery Store Tagalongs Taste Test & Copycat Recipes: Find Your Peanut Butter Patty Perfection!

Are you a Tagalongs fanatic? That irresistible combination of crunchy cookie, creamy peanut butter, and a decadent chocolate coating is a classic for a reason. But what if you can’t get your hands on the real deal? Or what if you’re simply looking for a more affordable (or perhaps even *better*) alternative? Look no further! We embarked on a mission to taste-test a variety of grocery store Tagalongs alternatives and develop copycat recipes so you can enjoy your peanut butter patty fix anytime, anywhere.

This blog post is your ultimate guide to all things Tagalongs. We’ll be breaking down our taste test results, providing detailed recipes for both a classic baked version and a no-bake option, and offering tips and tricks to help you achieve peanut butter patty perfection. Get ready to dive into the world of cookie deliciousness!

## The Grocery Store Tagalongs Taste Test: A Quest for Peanut Butter Bliss

Our team of dedicated (and hungry!) taste-testers scoured local grocery stores in search of the best Tagalongs alternatives. We looked for cookies that closely resembled the original in terms of taste, texture, and overall appearance. Here’s what we found:

**(Disclaimer:** Product availability may vary by region. Prices are approximate and may change.)

**Our Contenders:**

* **Girl Scout Cookies (Tagalongs):** The benchmark! We needed to have the original on hand for comparison.
* **Keebler E.L. Fudge Double Stuffed:** While not a direct Tagalongs clone, the peanut butter filling and fudge coating seemed promising.
* **Great Value Fudge Covered Peanut Butter Filled Cookies (Walmart):** Walmart’s generic version, offering a budget-friendly option.
* **Trader Joe’s Crispy Peanut Butter Filled Milk Chocolate Cookies:** Trader Joe’s often delivers on quality, so we had high hopes for these.
* **Chips Deluxe Peanut Butter Cups:** Another contender not directly marketed as a Tagalongs alternative, but with a similar flavor profile.

**Our Tasting Criteria:**

* **Peanut Butter Flavor:** How strong and authentic is the peanut butter taste? Is it sweet, salty, or a good balance of both?
* **Cookie Texture:** Is the cookie crisp, crunchy, or soft? Does it complement the peanut butter filling?
* **Chocolate Coating:** Is the chocolate rich, smooth, and of good quality? Does it crack nicely when you bite into it?
* **Overall Taste & Satisfaction:** How well do all the elements come together? Would we buy this cookie again?
* **Value for Money:** Does the price point justify the quality and taste?

**The Results:**

Here’s a breakdown of our tasting notes for each contender:

* **Girl Scout Cookies (Tagalongs):**
* **Peanut Butter Flavor:** Classic, well-balanced peanut butter flavor. Not overly sweet, with a hint of saltiness.
* **Cookie Texture:** Crisp and slightly crumbly.
* **Chocolate Coating:** Smooth, creamy milk chocolate. The perfect ratio of chocolate to peanut butter and cookie.
* **Overall Taste & Satisfaction:** The gold standard! A consistently delicious treat.
* **Value for Money:** Can be expensive depending on how readily available they are in your region and if purchased second hand online.

* **Keebler E.L. Fudge Double Stuffed:**
* **Peanut Butter Flavor:** The peanut butter flavor is pronounced and quite sweet. Some testers found it almost artificial tasting.
* **Cookie Texture:** Soft and chewy cookies, distinct from the Tagalongs’ crisp base.
* **Chocolate Coating:** Fudgy and thick. It overpowers the peanut butter flavor a bit.
* **Overall Taste & Satisfaction:** A decent peanut butter and chocolate cookie, but not a true Tagalongs replacement. The cookie texture is a major difference.
* **Value for Money:** Generally affordable and readily available.

* **Great Value Fudge Covered Peanut Butter Filled Cookies (Walmart):**
* **Peanut Butter Flavor:** The peanut butter flavor is mild and somewhat bland. It lacks the depth and richness of the original.
* **Cookie Texture:** Slightly stale and cardboard-like. Not very appealing.
* **Chocolate Coating:** Thin and waxy. It doesn’t melt well and leaves a greasy aftertaste.
* **Overall Taste & Satisfaction:** Disappointing. The overall quality is noticeably lower than the original and other alternatives.
* **Value for Money:** Very budget-friendly, but the taste reflects the price.

* **Trader Joe’s Crispy Peanut Butter Filled Milk Chocolate Cookies:**
* **Peanut Butter Flavor:** Strong and natural peanut butter flavor. The peanut butter filling is creamy and satisfying.
* **Cookie Texture:** Extremely crispy and almost brittle. Some testers found it too hard.
* **Chocolate Coating:** Good quality milk chocolate. Melts well and complements the peanut butter.
* **Overall Taste & Satisfaction:** A strong contender! The peanut butter flavor is excellent, but the cookie texture is a bit polarizing. Some loved the crispness, while others found it too hard.
* **Value for Money:** A good value for the quality.

* **Chips Deluxe Peanut Butter Cups:**
* **Peanut Butter Flavor:** Peanut butter flavor is subtle. More of a hint than a prominent feature. Leans towards a more sugary peanut butter flavour.
* **Cookie Texture:** Soft and chewy with chunks of chocolate. A different texture profile than a tagalong.
* **Chocolate Coating:** Not a coating, but chocolate chunks within the cookie itself.
* **Overall Taste & Satisfaction:** A pleasant peanut butter chocolate cookie, but not a replacement for a Tagalong.
* **Value for Money:** Average price point, but more readily available in most stores.

**Our Winner:**

While none of the alternatives perfectly replicated the original Tagalongs, **Trader Joe’s Crispy Peanut Butter Filled Milk Chocolate Cookies** came the closest in terms of peanut butter flavor and overall quality. However, the cookie texture is a matter of personal preference. If you prefer a softer cookie, you might be disappointed.

## Copycat Tagalongs Recipes: Bake Your Way to Peanut Butter Paradise

Now for the fun part: making your own Tagalongs! We’ve developed two recipes: a classic baked version and a no-bake option for those times when you want a quick and easy treat.

### Recipe 1: Classic Baked Tagalongs Copycat

This recipe creates a crispy, buttery cookie base, a creamy peanut butter filling, and a smooth chocolate coating – just like the real thing!

**Ingredients:**

**For the Cookies:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt

**For the Peanut Butter Filling:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 3 cups powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**For the Chocolate Coating:**

* 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening (optional, for a smoother coating)

**Instructions:**

**Making the Cookies:**

1. **Preheat and Prepare:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. **Add Egg and Vanilla:** Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. **Gradually Add Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. **Roll and Cut Out Cookies:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out cookies. (You can also use a drinking glass if you don’t have a cookie cutter.)
7. **Place on Baking Sheets:** Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Be careful not to overbake, as this will make the cookies dry.
9. **Cool Completely:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

**Making the Peanut Butter Filling:**

1. **Cream Butter and Peanut Butter:** In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy.
2. **Gradually Add Powdered Sugar:** Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful not to create a cloud of powdered sugar!
3. **Add Milk and Vanilla:** Add the milk and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth and creamy. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if the filling is too thick.

**Assembling the Tagalongs:**

1. **Pipe or Spread Filling:** Transfer the peanut butter filling to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or simply use a resealable plastic bag with a corner cut off). Pipe or spread the peanut butter filling onto the flat side of half of the cooled cookies, leaving a small border around the edge.
2. **Top with Remaining Cookies:** Top with the remaining cookies, pressing gently to sandwich the filling.
3. **Chill:** Place the assembled cookies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up the filling.

**Making the Chocolate Coating:**

1. **Melt Chocolate:** In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and vegetable shortening (if using) until smooth. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted.
2. **Dip Cookies:** Dip each cookie into the melted chocolate, coating completely. Use a fork to lift the cookie out of the chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. You can tap the fork gently against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
3. **Place on Parchment Paper:** Place the chocolate-covered cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. **Chill:** Place the cookies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.

**Tips and Tricks for Perfect Baked Tagalongs:**

* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough (Optional):** Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it out will make it easier to handle and prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using softened butter and room temperature eggs will ensure that the ingredients blend together smoothly and evenly.
* **Don’t Overbake the Cookies:** Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown.
* **Adjust the Peanut Butter Filling to Your Liking:** If you prefer a sweeter filling, add more powdered sugar. If you prefer a saltier filling, add a pinch of salt.
* **Use High-Quality Chocolate:** Using high-quality chocolate will make a big difference in the taste of the final product.
* **Add a Sprinkle of Sea Salt:** Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the chocolate coating before it sets to enhance the flavor.

### Recipe 2: No-Bake Tagalongs Copycat

This recipe is perfect for when you’re short on time or don’t want to turn on the oven. It’s a simple and delicious way to satisfy your Tagalongs craving.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 package (about 30) round crackers (like Ritz or similar)
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1/2 cup powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
* 1/4 cup milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening (optional, for a smoother coating)

**Instructions:**

**Making the Peanut Butter Filling:**

1. **Cream Butter and Peanut Butter:** In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy.
2. **Gradually Add Powdered Sugar:** Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful not to create a cloud of powdered sugar!
3. **Add Milk and Vanilla:** Add the milk and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth and creamy. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if the filling is too thick.

**Assembling the Tagalongs:**

1. **Spread Filling:** Spread a generous amount of peanut butter filling onto the flat side of half of the crackers.
2. **Top with Remaining Crackers:** Top with the remaining crackers, pressing gently to sandwich the filling.
3. **Chill:** Place the assembled crackers in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up the filling.

**Making the Chocolate Coating:**

1. **Melt Chocolate:** In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and vegetable shortening (if using) until smooth. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted.
2. **Dip Crackers:** Dip each cracker into the melted chocolate, coating completely. Use a fork to lift the cracker out of the chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. You can tap the fork gently against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
3. **Place on Parchment Paper:** Place the chocolate-covered crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. **Chill:** Place the crackers in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.

**Tips and Tricks for Perfect No-Bake Tagalongs:**

* **Use Good Quality Crackers:** The crackers are the base of this recipe, so choose a brand that you enjoy. Ritz crackers are a popular choice, but you can also use other round crackers.
* **Don’t Overfill the Crackers:** Too much peanut butter filling will make the crackers difficult to handle and the filling may ooze out.
* **Chill Thoroughly:** Chilling the crackers before dipping them in chocolate will help the chocolate adhere better and prevent the filling from melting.
* **Add a Topping:** While the chocolate is still wet, you can sprinkle on chopped peanuts, sea salt, or sprinkles for added flavor and visual appeal.

## Variations and Customizations

Want to put your own spin on these Tagalongs copycat recipes? Here are a few ideas:

* **Use Different Types of Chocolate:** Experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate for the coating.
* **Add Chopped Nuts:** Add chopped peanuts, almonds, or pecans to the peanut butter filling or sprinkle them on top of the chocolate coating.
* **Use Different Extracts:** Try adding almond extract, peppermint extract, or coffee extract to the peanut butter filling for a unique flavor.
* **Make Mini Tagalongs:** Use smaller cookie cutters or crackers to make bite-sized Tagalongs.
* **Drizzle with Chocolate:** After the chocolate coating has set, drizzle with a contrasting color of melted chocolate for a decorative touch.
* **Add a Caramel Layer:** Spread a thin layer of caramel sauce between the peanut butter filling and the chocolate coating.

## Storage Instructions

Store your homemade Tagalongs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage (up to 2 months). Just thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

## Final Thoughts: Your Peanut Butter Patty Journey Begins Now!

Whether you prefer the classic baked version or the quick and easy no-bake option, these Tagalongs copycat recipes are sure to satisfy your peanut butter patty cravings. So grab your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to bake (or not!) your way to peanut butter perfection! And don’t forget to let us know in the comments which version you prefer and what variations you tried. Happy baking (or no-baking)!