Glazed strawberry hand pies

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped Strawberries
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp. cornstarch
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1½ cups plain fat free Greek yogurt
• 1 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. Low-fat milk
• pinch of ground cardamom

Makes 8 Servings (1 pastry per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, toss berries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Microwave on High until bubbly and thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool until ready to use.
2. In a medium bowl, place flour, yogurt, and 1 tsp vanilla; stir well with a wooden spoon until just combined and then keep mixing dough in bowl with your hands until smooth (about 1 minute of kneading).
3. Place a large piece of parchment or wax paper on a work surface and sprinkle lightly with a little flour. Divide dough in half. Roll 1 piece of dough into a 12 x 8–inch rectangle; cut into 8 (4 x 3–inch) rectangles. Arrange rectangles about 1 inch apart on prepared sheet pan. Roll other piece of dough into a 12 x 8–inch rectangle; cut into 8 (4 x 3–inch) rectangles. Spoon about 1 tablespoon strawberry filling down the center of each dough rectangle on sheet pan. Top each with 1 dough rectangle. Press edges with tines of a fork to seal; pierce top of each pastry with fork to allow steam to escape. Bake until lightly browned and crisp, about 20 minutes.
4. Cool pastries on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir powdered sugar, milk, remaining ⅛ tsp vanilla, and cardamom. Drizzle glaze evenly over warm pastries.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. When strawberries are at their seasonal peak—supremely fragrant, sweet, and juicy—they don’t need much adornment to taste great. Here, we barely sweeten them for a lightning-fast microwave jam that fills these pastries. The dough is a firm version of our two-ingredient filling.  A pinch of ground cardamom in the glaze pairs perfectly with the berries. These are best enjoyed warm; if you have leftovers, reheat at 350°F for about 5 minutes.

4-Ingredient Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce

 Ingredients:

• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
• 2 Tbsp. erythritol-based sweetener (confectioners’)
• 2 Tbsp. water

Makes 4 Servings 

1. 1. Whisk cocoa powder, coconut oil and erythritol in a medium-sized bowl until combined.
2. 2. Add water, whisking until the sauce reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
3. 3. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

WW POINTS VALUE: ?

Note: This recipe appears on www.palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. This homemade chocolate sauce is quick, easy and delicious. This sauce is perfect for a low-carb diet and it goes great in or on everything. It can go in a yogurt bowl with fruit, homemade oatmeal, with fruit, in a coffee to make a mocha latte or on top of pancakes for a decadent breakfast. 

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. creamy natural peanut butter, unsalted and unsweetened
• 1 ½ Tbsp. unsalted butter or ghee
• 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseeds
• 1 scoop (about 2 Tbsp.) keto friendly vanilla protein powder
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• 2 ½ Tbsp. full-fat sour cream or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp. powdered erythritol sweetener
• 2 Tbsp. sugar-free chocolate chips

Makes 2 Servings (1 muffin per serving)

1. Split all ingredients except for the chocolate chips between two large mugs. Whisk with a fork until well combined.
2. Stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Cook in the microwave for about 1 to 1 ½ minutes, until the mixture is set in the center.

WW POINTS VALUE: 12 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Peanut butter and chocolate is a delicious and decadent combination. You can enjoy this muffin in minutes and it is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. if you want to give these muffins a more chocolatey flavor and creamier texture, add 1/2 a tablespoon  of unsweetened cocoa powder  and increase the sour cream or yogurt to 3 tablespoons and you will be satisfied. You can enjoy these muffins anytime of day. 

Peanut Butter & Tahini Protein Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1 tbsp. MCT oil
• 1/4 cup coconut flour (plus 1-2 tablespoons, if needed)
• 2 tbsp. ground flaxseeds
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 4 tbsp. keto-friendly vanilla protein powder
• 4 tbsp. collagen peptides
• 2 tbsp. powdered erythritol sweetener (confectioners' sugar)
• 1/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

Makes 24 balls (1 ball per serving)

1. Line a flat serving platter or a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. 
2. Mix together the peanut butter, tahini, and MCT oil in a large bowl until smooth. 
3. Add the coconut flour, flaxseeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, protein powder, collagen peptides, erythritol, and salt; stir it thoroughly. 
4. Scoop outa rounded tablespoon of the mixture and form it into a ball; roll it onto the desired garnish, and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the mixture has been used (approximately 24 balls). 
5. Place the balls in the freezer and let them chill for about 10 minutes, or until firm. The balls are best stored in an airtight container in the freezer and can be kept for up to 2 months. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. These delectable bites are delicious as a snack during the day or after dinner. You can choose from among the following flavors for an optional garnish: sesame seeds, cacao nibs, carob powder, hemp seeds, and/or toasted shredded unsweetened coconut. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate makes a decadent flare. You can use any kind of nut butter in this recipe and the protein bites will still be delicious. 

Blueberry Waffles with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

Waffles:

• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 cup unflavored whey protein powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
• 1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries

Frosting:

• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 3 tbsp. cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. lemon zest
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1-2 tbsp. unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Makes 2 large waffles (half a waffle per serving)

1. Preheat the waffle iron to medium-high heat. 
2. Separate the egg yolks from the whites and place in separate bowls. Add the egg yolks to one bowl with the milk, butter and vanilla. Whisk until combined. Set the mixture aside. 
3.  In a separate bowl, combine the flour, whey protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and sugar substitute. 
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just enough to combine them. 
5. Beat the reserved egg whites with a handheld mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold the egg whites into the batter.
6. Gently stir in the blueberries. 
7. Use a 1/4 cup measure to pour the batter into the center of the waffle iron. Bake according  to your waffle iron's instructions. Repeat with the remaining batter. 
8. While the waffles are cooking, make the frosting by combining the butter and cream cheese in a bowl and beating them with a handheld mixer for 1 minute, or until smooth. Add the vanilla, lemon juice and zest and beat until combined, about 20 seconds. Beat in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated. 
9. Beat in the almond milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches for the desired consistency. 
10. Spread the frosting evenly over the waffles. Serve them immeadiately. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 19 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Homemade waffles are delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These waffles are delicious. Don't be intimidated by the ingredients. These waffles are just as easy to make as regular waffles. The cream cheese frosting is VERY sweet so you don't have to put it on your waffles. The blueberries or any other berries will make the waffles just as sweet and tasty. I also recommend adding a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and/or ground ginger to make these waffles more flavorful. 

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour, finely ground
• ¾ cup stevia or erythritol
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup dark chocolate cocoa powder, unsweetened
• ¼ cup avocado oil (or other vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ½ cup powdered or confectioners erythritol/stevia (optional)

Makes 20 Servings (1 cookie per serving)

1. In a large bowl, combine the cocoa powder, vanilla, sweetener and oil. Mix well.
2. Add one egg at a time to the large bowl and use a blender or whisk to combine. Blend until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the almond flour, baking powder and salt.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl. Knead until it becomes smooth.
5. Form dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
7. Form 1" dough balls with your hands and place them on a baking sheet. Press down in the middle to flatten them.
8. Baking for about 12 minutes.
9. When cookies are slightly cooled (but still warm), cover them in the powdered sweetener (optional).
10. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

WW POINTS VALUE:

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Keto Cookbook. If you can't decide between brownies or cookies, these chocolate treats are for you. These treats are a combination of brownies and cookies and they are so delicious. They are also gluten-free because they are made from ground almonds. These brownie cookies are so chocolately and delicious you will be satisfied after only two.

Whole Wheat Skillet Pancake with Pears and Walnuts

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs 
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 Bartlett pears, cored and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped walnuts
• 2 tsp. confectioners' sugar

Makes 6 Servings (1 wedge per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Place large cast-iron or ovenproof skillet in oven to heat up. 
2. Meanwhile, combine eggs, egg whites, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth. Add flour and pulse just until combined. Wearing oven mitt, remove skillet from oven and spray with nonstick spray. Pour in batter. Top with pears and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake until pancake is puffed and browned and pears are softened, 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and cut into 6 wedges. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Tastier than Takeout Menu. This is a new take on pancakes and this dish is quite delicious. The combination of fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg is heavenly decadent. If you don't have pears available, use apples and the pancakes will taste just is good. I also highly recommend adding a touch of vanilla extract or almond extract to enhance the flavor of the pancakes. 

Chewy Chocolate-Walnut Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 3 egg whites, at room temperature
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

Makes 24 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)

1. Place the oven racks in the upper  and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift together confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and salt into a medium bowl. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the egg whites into the cocoa mixture until blended. Increase the high speed to high. Beat about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla, then stir in the walnuts.
3. Drop the dough by level tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart, making a total of 24 cookies. Bake until shiny, cracked, and firm to the touch, 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet on racks.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. These cookies are  chewy and delicious. I think they are better than store-bought cookies. These cookies could also be considered gluten free because there is no flour in them. The Dutch-process cocoa mellows the flavor and gives the cookies a very deep color to them. If you don't have walnuts on hand, substitute almonds work just as well. 

Mini Peanut Butter Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. light cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• pinch salt (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping
• 24 chocolate wafer cookies

Makes 12 Servings (1 ice cream sandwich per serving)

1. With electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, and salt (if using) in a medium bowl until smooth. Beat in whipped topping until just combined.
2. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of peanut butter filling on flat side of each wafer cookie; place second cookie, flat side down, on top to form sandwiches, lightly pressing down. Arrange cookies on small baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. These home made ice cream sandwiches are deliciously flavorful. Peanut butter and chocolate make a very tasty combination. The peanut butter filling is light, fluffy and flavorful. You can also use almond butter in this recipe and the sandwiches will still be delicious. I highly recommend using homemade chocolate wafer cookies in this recipe because you know the ingredients in the wafers. These homemade ice cream sandwiches are better than the one you buy at the grocery store you will make these again and again.

Cinnamon-Raisin Baked French Toast

Ingredients:

• 8 slices cinnamon-swirl raisin bread, halved on diagonal
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 3 tbsp. granular sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• pinch nutmeg
• 1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar (optional)

Makes 6 Servings (2 half slices per serving)

1. Spray a 8 x 11 baking dish or casserole dish with nonstick spray.
2. Arrange bread in prepared baking dish, overlapping slices, if needed.
3. Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, 2 tablespoons of sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread, lightly pressing bread to help it absorb egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350 F.
5. Uncover dish and sprinkle French toast with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake until puffed and browned, about 35 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. This is the perfect dish to make and enjoy on the weekend for brunch. French toast is a wonderful comfort food to enjoy during the cold winter months. The recipe calls for granular sugar but you can use honey in place of the sugar and the dish still tastes good. Milk is also a good substitute for half-and-half and whole wheat bread or challah bread are good substitutes if you can't get cinnamon-swirl raisin bread. Also, try topping this French toast with you favorite sliced fruit for a more filling and elegant dish.

Snow-Capped Chocolate Yule Log

Ingredients:

• nonstick spray
• 5 oz. unsweetened chocolate, divided
• 2 tbsp. brewed coffee
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
• 1 1/4 tsp. salt
• 5 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
• 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
• 4 tbsp. granulated sugar, divided
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tbsp. confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups light whipped topping
• 5 vanilla meringue cookies, roughly crushed
• 2 striped peppermint hard candies, coarsely smashed

Makes 12 Servings (12 slices total, 1 slice per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Coat a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch jelly roll pan with nonstick spray. Line pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides; coat paper with nonstick spray.
3. Roughly chop 4 oz. chocolate. In a small microwavable bowl, combine chopped chocolate and coffee. Microwave on high 20 seconds; stir until smooth. Set aside and let cool.
4. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside.
5. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; beat until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Set aside.
6. In another large bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg yolks, remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and vanilla until mixture is pale yellow and forms a ribbon when beaters are lifted, about 3 minutes.
7. With a spatula, gently fold chocolate-coffee mixture into egg yolk mixture just until blended. Then gently fold 1/3 of beaten egg white mixture into bowl just until no streaks of whites remain; fold in the remaining egg whites in two additions.
8. Sift half of the flour mixture over chocolate mixture; gently fold just until blended. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture.
9. Spoon batter into prepared pan; spread evenly. Bake until top springs back when lightly touched in center, about 10 minutes.
10. Meanwhile, sift confectioners' over a large clean kitchen towel on a flat surface; immediately invert hot cake over towel. Carefully peel off and discard parchment paper. Starting from a long side, gently roll up cake, jelly-roll style, using towel. Cool rolled cake on wire rack.
11. While cake cools, puree ricotta in a food processor; transfer to a large bowl and fold in whipped topping.
12. Carefully unroll cake, leaving it on towel (cracking is OK). Spread with filling, leaving 1-inch border on long side opposite you. Reroll cake and transfer to serving plate. (Leave as one long log or cut off a branch.).
13. In a small microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 1 oz. chocolate on high for 20 seconds; stir until smooth. Drizzle melted chocolate evenly over cake; sprinkle with crushed cookies and candies. Slice into 12 pieces; serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the Weight Watchers Magazine. Do not be intimidated by this recipe. There are multiple step in this elegant French dessert but it's worth it. This is a healthy take on the French Christmas classic-a Buche de Noel, or a Yule Log. This was my second attempt at making a Buche de Noel and it was a success. The original recipe called for semisweet chocolate. I used unsweetened chocolate in this recipe. Unsweetened chocolate makes a dessert much richer in taste. The combination or chocolate and coffee is heavenly delicious. I also added a 1/2 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and nutmeg to the chocolate-coffee mixture for a richer flavor and for a Latin flare. I also used whole wheat pastry flour to make this dessert healthier. Also, if you don't have vanilla meringue cookies on hand, don't worry. You can sprinkle confectioners' sugar on top or skip the sugar or meringue cookies to cut back on the sugar. The dessert as a whole is so delicious. I highly recommend serving this to company over the holidays because it  make a perfect sweet ending to a delicious holiday meal.

Raspberry Squares

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup + 3 tbsp. confectioners' sugar
• 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 cup red raspberry preserves
• 1 cup unsweetened frozen raspberries
• 24 fresh raspberries (optional)

Makes 24 Servings (1 square per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Place flour, 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, butter, and almond extract in a food processor; pulse to combine, until the butter is in pea-size pieces.
3. Spoon flour mixture into 9 x 13-inch ungreased baking dish; smooth into an even layer and tap with back of a spatula to for ma crust. Bake until just starts to turn golden, about 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine preserves and frozen raspberries; cook, stirring occasionally, until preserves liquefy and frozen raspberries thaw, 3-5 minutes.
5. When crust is ready, pour raspberry mixture over top of hot crust and smooth into an even layer; bake until set, 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan until just warm. Cut into 24 even pieces, remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack. When raspberry bars are completely cool, dust with remaining 3 tablespoons confectioners'' sugar. Top each square with a fresh raspberry, if desired.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the Weight Watchers Magazine. This dessert will get you into any holiday spirit. The longer you set these squares, the easier they will be able to cut and enjoy. If you don't have almond extract on hand, use vanilla extract instead because the combination of fruit and vanilla is delicious. You don't even need the extra confectioners' sugar on top of these squares because they are that tasty. These squares are also tasty with topped with any kind of berry or even dried apricots.

Holiday Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3-4 tbsp. low-fat milk, divided
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 28 tsp. colored sugar or  sugar pearls (9 tbsp. + 1 tsp.)

Makes 56 Servings (1 cookie per serving)

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, 1 tablespoon milk, and vanilla; beat well. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture to egg mixture, a little at a time, just until blended.
3. Divide dough into 4 equal balls and shape each into a disk; wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper (or use 4 baking sheets and cook all at once).
5. Unwrap 1 disk of dough (keep remaining dough refrigerated). Between 2 sheets of lightly floured wax paper, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness; remove top wax paper. Cut into cookies with 2-inch round cookie cutter; freeze raw cookies on wax paper until firm. Place cookies on baking sheets and bake until edges of cookies turn light golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool; repeat with remaining dough, rerolling scraps to yield 56 cookies.
6. Meanwhile, make icing; in a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar and enough of the remaining 2-3 tablespoons milk to make icing smooth and of drizzling consistency. Decorate each cookie as desired with 1/2 teaspoon icing and 1/2 teaspoon colored sugar or sugar pearls. Let icing set before serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the Weight Watchers Magazine. You can have your cookies and eat them too during any holiday. It's hard to find a sugar cookie recipe because the end result doesn't turn out the way you had hoped. These sugar cookies are soft, moist and flavorful. They're even more delicious without the colored sugar or sugar pearls. Make these cookies for any holiday and they will be devoured. 

Chocolate-Cappucino Eclairs

Ingredients:

Pastry Cream:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup fat-free milk
• 1/4 cup thawed frozen fat-free whipped topping

Cream Puff Dough:

• 1 cup water
• 3 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Makes 8 Servings (1 éclair per serving)

1. To make the pastry cream, whisk together the granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla in a bowl. Whisk in the cocoa, cornstarch, espresso powder, and cinnamon. Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan; whisk in the cocoa mixture. Return the milk mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking, until thickened. Spoon into a bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap onto the surface; refrigerate until cool. Fold in the whipped topping; refrigerate.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray; line with parchment paper.
3. To make the cream puff dough, combine the water, oil, butter, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Cook until the butter melts and the mixture boils, about 3 minutes. Stir in the flour all at once; cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the dough begins to pull away from the side of the pan, 1-2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the eggs and egg white, one at a time, beating vigorously after each addition until the dough is shiny.
4. Fill a large pastry bag (no need to use a tip) with the dough. Pipe onto the baking sheet  to form eight 4-inch long by 2-inch wide fingers. Bake until golden, about 35 minutes. Turn off the oven. Make a small slit in one end of each éclair. Return to the oven for 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.
5. To assemble the éclairs, with a small knife, make a hole in the end of each éclair. Spoon the pastry cream into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch plain tip. Pipe about 2 tablespoons pastry cream into each éclair. Dust with the confectioners' sugar. Serve within 2 hours.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This was the first time I made éclairs and they turned out tasty. These are healthy eclairs but they still tasted delicious. These eclairs are healthy and they have a France meets Italy taste to them. The French and the Italians know how to do dessert. Eclairs are a staple of France and the filling has a taste of Italy to them. The filling is flavorful and creamy and the pastry dough is not bad. These eclairs taste good you'll forget there isn't much sugar in them.

Banana Spice Cake with Coconut Frosting

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 egg white
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting:

• 1 (8 oz.) package light cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 tbsp. light coconut milk
• 1 tsp. coconut extract
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Makes 16 Servings (1/16 of cake per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
2. To make the cake, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the remaining cake ingredients in a separate medium bowl. Gradually add the banana mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until blended.
3.  Pour the batter into the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a rack 10 minutes. Run a knife around the cake to loosen it from the pan. Remove from the pan and let cool completely on the rack.
4. Meanwhile, to make the frosting, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat all the frosting ingredients except the coconut in a medium bowl until smooth, about 1 minute. With a narrow metal spatula, spread the frosting over the top of the cake; sprinkle with the coconut.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Who would have thought the combination of bananas, coconuts and spices would be so delicious? This is what I call an elegant and decadent dessert. You can even make these into cupcakes and the sweet treats will still be delicious. Don't be intimidated by the number of ingredients in this recipe. You can cut the granulated sugar in half because there are natural sugars in the bananas and the cake will still taste good. I added a touch of nutmeg to the cake because nutmeg and cinnamon go so well together.

Blueberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen or fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tbsp. water
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Makes 1 1/2 cups (1/4 cup per serving)

 

Combine the blueberries, confectioners' sugar, water, vanilla and cinnamon in a large saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries soften and the mixture forms a sauce, 5-7 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice. Serve at once, or let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate in a covered container up to 1 week. Just before using, shake the sauce well and serve chilled or gently reheat.

 

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Forget buying the fruit sauce or syrup at the grocery store. Make this at home and it will taste just as good. This homemade sauce is tart and flavorful and it goes great on ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, waffles, and even panna cotta. If you add a touch of rhubarb alongside the blueberries and cook the rhubarb, the sauce will be just as flavorful, thick and tart. I highly recommend adding vanilla extract and nutmeg to the sauce to enhance the flavor.

Cherry Strudel

Ingredients:

• 3 cups pitted fresh tart cherries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds, finely ground
• 12 (12 x 17-inch) sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

Makes 10 Servings (1/10 of strudel per serving)

1. To make the filling, combine the cherries, 1/4 cup of the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat; set aside to cool, about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
3. Combine the almonds, and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar in a small bowl. Lay 1 phyllo sheet on a work surface with a long side facing you. Keep the remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel and plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Lightly spray the phyllo with nonstick spray; sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon of the crumb mixture. Continue layering with the remaining phyllo and crumb mixture, lightly spraying each sheet of phyllo with nonstick spray to make 12 layers in all.
4. Spoon the cherry filling over the phyllo, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the short side over the filling, then roll up jelly-roll style. Do not roll to tightly or the phyllo might tear.
5. Place the strudel on a diagonal, seam side down, on a large baking sheet. Lightly ray the strudel with nonstick spray. Cut four (1-inch) slits in the top of the strudel to allow the steam to escape. Bake until the filling is hot and the phyllo is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely  on the baking sheet on a rack at least 45 minutes. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is what I call elegant comfort food. Strudel is a nice comfort food when it's done right. Baked cherries are absolutely delicious. The original recipe called for 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of dried bread crumbs. I cut the granulated sugar in half, cut out the bread crumbs but increased the slivered almonds and added the cinnamon and nutmeg for a healthier and more flavorful dessert. The end result was delicious. You can use any kind of berries or stone fruit in this recipe and the dessert will still be delicious.

Espresso-Glazed Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. boiling water
• 3/4 tsp. espresso powder
• 3 tbsp. Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 oz. bittersweet chocolate
• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 3 tbsp. packed sucralose-brown sugar blend
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 3/4 tsp. fat-free milk, heated
• 2 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

Makes 12 Servings (1 brownie per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together the pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl; set aside. Stir together the boiling water and 1/4 teaspoon of the espresso powder in a cup until the espresso is completely dissolved. Whisk together the cocoa, hot espresso mixture, and vanilla in a medium bowl; set aside.
3. Put the chocolate in a small microwavable bowl an microwave on high until melted, about 40 seconds. Whisk in the oil until smooth. Whisk in the brown sugar blend until combined. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the cocoa mixture; whisk in the beaten egg until combined. Add the flour mixture and walnuts (if using) and stir just until blended.
4. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging, 9-10 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack.
5. To make the glaze, stir together the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the espresso powder and though hot milk in a cup until the espresso is completely dissolved. Add the confectioner's and stir until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Using a spoon, drizzle the glaze over the brownies. Cut into 12 bars.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. These were not the best brownies I made. I've made better in the past. They weren't chewy or cake like but they had nice flavor to them. If they don't rise like they're supposed to, crumble up the brownies into brownie bits and use them as a crumble topping in parfaits, frozen yogurt or ice cream.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp. whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/3 cup packed sucralose-brown sugar blend
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 tsp. confectioners' sugar

Makes 12 Servings (1 cookie per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, pastry flour, brown sugar blend, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. With a wooden spoon, stir in the butter until the mixture is well combined and crumbly. Add the egg whites and vanilla; stir until a smooth dough forms (you may need to use your hands).
3. Put the confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. Divide the dough into  12 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Lightly roll each ball in the confectioners' sugar to coat. Place on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until set but still soft in the middle, 10-12 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a rack and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

WW POINTS VALUES 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. These are a healthy take on the traditional chocolate crinkles. They are not that bad if and when you're having a chocolate craving. You can even crumble these crinkles and put them on top of ice cream or mix them in with fruit and yogurt and you'll have a flavorful treat.

Fresh Raspberry-Orange Sauce

Ingredients:

• 3 (6 oz.) containers raspberries
• 1/8 tsp. grated orange zest
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tbsp. fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Makes 2 Cups (1/4 cup per serving)

1. Combine the raspberries and orange zest in a  food processor; pulse until the berries are broken up. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the berries and add the orange juice; pulse just until smooth.
2. Pour the berry mixture through a sieve set over a medium bowl, pressing hard on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids. Stir in the lemon juice. Transfer the sauce to a glass jar; refrigerate up to 1 week. Just before serving, shake well. The sauce may thicken a bit on standing; add a little orange juice or water to thin to the desired consistency.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is what I call an elegant dessert sauce with flavor. It's succulent and juicy and it goes great on anything. It goes great with vanilla, chocolate and on top of fruit too. You can use strawberries, blueberries along with a combination of sliced rhubarb with the berries and you'll be happy.