Wholesome Tagalongs: Vegan & Gluten-Free Sweet Recipe

Chocolate and peanut butter lovers unite with these irresistible healthy Tagalongs that blend vegan and gluten-free magic into one delectable treat.

These cookies dance with rich, decadent flavors while keeping nutrition at the forefront of every bite.

Crafted with clean ingredients, each morsel delivers a guilt-free indulgence that satisfies sweet cravings without compromising wellness.

The cookie base crumbles perfectly, topped with a smooth peanut butter layer and enrobed in dark chocolate that melts gracefully on your tongue.

Every ingredient has been carefully selected to create a wholesome dessert that feels like a cheat meal but nourishes your body.

Packed with protein and free from traditional allergens, these tagalongs prove that healthy eating can be seriously delicious.

Dive into this recipe and experience a cookie that breaks all the conventional dessert rules.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Healthy Tagalongs (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

• Almond Flour: Provides a nutty, tender foundation with gluten-free goodness, choose finely ground for smooth texture.
• Maple Syrup: Adds natural sweetness and helps bind ingredients, select pure, organic grade for best flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall taste with warm, comforting notes, opt for pure extract over artificial versions.

• Natural Peanut Butter: Delivers creamy, protein-rich center, pick runny, unsweetened variety for clean taste.

• Dark Chocolate Chips: Creates rich, indulgent outer layer, select high-quality dairy-free chips for smooth melting.
• Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate achieve glossy finish and provides silky texture, choose unrefined for subtle tropical hint.

Tools to Make Healthy Tagalongs Easily

• Baking Sheet: Essential for baking and cooling cookies, lined with parchment paper.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing dough ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Tablespoon: Helps scoop precise dough amounts.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used for melting chocolate and coconut oil evenly.
• Wire Rack (optional): Alternative surface for chocolate coating.
• Hands: Great for rolling dough, creating cookie shapes, and pressing indents.

Steps for Healthy Tagalongs (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

• Cookie Base

Gather simple plant-based ingredients like almond flour, maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix these components until a smooth dough emerges, creating a soft foundation for your delightful treat.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll small portions of dough into delicate rounds. Gently press your fingertip into each circle’s center, crafting a welcoming pocket for future peanut butter filling.

• Initial Baking

Warm your oven to a gentle temperature. Place cookie circles on a lined baking sheet, allowing them to transform into golden, crisp foundations. Let them cool completely after baking.

• Peanut Butter Heart

Nestle a dollop of creamy natural peanut butter into each cookie’s center. Slide the tray into the freezer, letting the butter set and become wonderfully firm.

• Chocolate Coating

Melt dark chocolate with a touch of coconut oil, creating a silky smooth covering. Generously drench each chilled cookie in this luxurious chocolate bath.

• Final Chill

Return chocolate-covered cookies to the freezer. Wait briefly until the chocolate transforms into a glossy, crisp shell. Your vegan, gluten-free tagalongs are now ready to delight!

Tips to Boost Healthy Tagalongs Flavor

• Add a sprinkle of chia seeds or hemp hearts into the cookie dough for extra protein and omega-3 nutrients.
• Keep these tagalongs fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, maintaining their delightful crunch and texture.
• Replace dark chocolate with sugar-free chocolate chips or try a white chocolate drizzle for a different indulgent experience that suits various dietary preferences.
• Prepare the cookie dough and freeze unbaked portions for convenient future baking, allowing you to enjoy fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes without extensive preparation time.

Ways to Present Healthy Tagalongs (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

• Sweet Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these delightful tagalongs with a warm cup of herbal tea like chamomile or peppermint for a cozy, relaxing treat.
• Dessert Platter Centerpiece: Create an elegant dessert display by arranging these cookies on a beautiful wooden board alongside fresh berries and mint leaves for visual appeal.
• Protein-Packed Snack Break: Pack these cookies in small containers for a quick energy boost during work, study sessions, or post-workout refueling, providing a nutritious alternative to processed snacks.
• Gifting Wellness: Wrap these homemade tagalongs in clear cellophane with a rustic twine bow as a thoughtful, health-conscious gift for friends who appreciate clean eating and delicious treats.

Store Healthy Tagalongs (Vegan & Gluten-Free) Properly

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delightful cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper inside the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping them crisp and delicious for up to 7 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: These tagalongs can be safely frozen for 2-3 months, allowing you to prepare a large batch and enjoy them whenever sweet cravings strike. Wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap before placing in a sealed freezer container.
• Smart Portion Planning: Create smaller cookie batches by halving the recipe or preparing dough in advance. Raw cookie dough can be refrigerated for 3-4 days, giving you flexibility in baking schedules.
• Temperature Sensitive Care: Keep these vegan treats away from direct sunlight or warm environments, as the chocolate coating might soften quickly. Always return cookies to cool storage spaces after serving to maintain their perfect texture and shape.

Guilt-Free Tagalongs

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Luscious healthy tagalongs combine peanut butter and chocolate in a vegan, gluten-free cookie that delights dessert enthusiasts. This nostalgic treat provides guilt-free indulgence you can savor without compromising nutrition or flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (240 ml) almond flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegan dark chocolate chips
• 5 tsp natural runny peanut butter
• 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp coconut oil

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie baking.
2. Dough Creation: Combine almond flour, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until a smooth, uniform dough forms, blending ingredients completely.
3. Cookie Shaping: Portion the dough into small spheres, gently flatten each ball, and create a distinctive center indentation using a fingertip or knuckle, ensuring even thickness and uniform appearance.
4. Initial Baking: Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-27 minutes, allowing them to develop a delicate, golden edge while maintaining a soft interior.
5. Peanut Butter Filling: Once cooled, generously fill the cookie centers with natural peanut butter, then briefly freeze for 20-30 minutes to set the filling and enhance structural integrity.
6. Chocolate Coating: Melt dark chocolate chips with coconut oil, stirring carefully to create a smooth, glossy chocolate mixture that will completely envelop the chilled cookies.
7. Final Assembly: Fully coat each peanut butter-filled cookie in the melted chocolate, ensuring complete coverage, then return to the freezer for 5 minutes to solidify the chocolate shell.
8. Serving: Remove from freezer and indulge in these vegan, gluten-free tagalongs, celebrating their rich flavor and guilt-free composition.

Notes

• Optimize Dough Consistency: Ensure ingredients are at room temperature and mix thoroughly to prevent crumbly texture, creating a smooth, cohesive dough that holds together perfectly.
• Master Cookie Shaping: Use gentle, consistent pressure when forming cookie bases to achieve uniform thickness and prevent cracking during baking.
• Chocolate Coating Technique: Melt chocolate slowly and carefully to prevent seizing, maintaining a glossy, smooth finish that evenly covers the cookies.
• Freezing Strategy: Use freezing periods strategically to set peanut butter filling and chocolate coating, enhancing structural integrity and flavor melding.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 30mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 0mg