Coffee-Almond Flans

 Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. water
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 2 tsp. instant espresso powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• pinch cinnamon
• pinch nutmeg
• 2 tbsp. slice or slivered almonds, toasted

Makes 4 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 
2. Combine 1/3 cup of sugar and the water in a small heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, without stirring, brushing side of saucepan with brush dipped in cool water during first few minutes of cooking time, until syrup turns amber. Immediately pour caramel into 4 (6 oz.) ramekins, gently swirl ramekins to coat bottoms halfway up sides. Refrigerate until caramel is hard, about 10 minutes. 
3. Meanwhile, combine half-and-half and espresso powder in medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until bubbles form. Whisk eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, the almond extract, cinnamon and nutmeg in bowl. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk hot half-and-half mixture into egg mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Pour through sieve set over bowl. 
4. Divide custard  among ramekins. Put ramekins in 9-inch square baking pan. Place pan in oven; add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until flans are just set around edges and jiggle in center, 35-40 minutes. Transfer ramekins to rack; cool 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 1 day. 
5. To serve, run thin knife around edges of flans to loosen from ramekins. Unfold onto plates; spoon any sauce over flan. Sprinkle with almonds. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. Flan is an open tart-like pastry with the flavor of a sweetened egg custard and a caramel topping. This was my first attempt at flan and it wasn't bad. The combination of coffee and homemade caramel is quite delicious mixed in the with the ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Flan is very sweet so enjoy it wisely. 

Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 3 tbsp. finely chopped toasted hazelnuts
• 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Makes 32 Servings (1 truffle per serving)

1. Line a 5 X 9-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap; spray with nonstick spray. 
2. Combine the chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan and set over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until melted and smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the half-and-half until well blended. 
3. Scrape the chocolate mixture into the loaf pan and spread evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days. 
4. Put the hazelnuts and cocoa powder on 2 separate plates. Invert the loaf pan onto a cutting board; remove the plastic wrap. With a sharp knife, cut the chocolate mixture into 32 equal squares. Lightly coat half of the squares in the hazelnuts and half in the cocoa powder. Place the truffles in a covered container, separating the layers with sheets of wax paper. Refrigerate up to 1 week. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. You can have your truffles and eat them too. These sweet truffles are sugar-free and are chocolatey and addictive. I highly recommend using bittersweet or dark chocolate for a richer flavor. I also highly recommend putting the chopped hazelnuts into the truffles for more of a crunch. These sweet treats literally melt in your mouth they are that delicious. 

Mocha Pots de Creme

Ingredients:

• 1 cup half-and-half
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup fat-free egg substitute or 1 egg finely mixed
• 2 tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
• pinch salt (optional) 
• 4 whole coffee beans, for garnish (optional)

Makes 4 Servings (1/2 cup custard per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 
2. Bring half-and-half just to a boil in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the chocolate, espresso powder, and vanilla; whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. 
3. Whisk together eg substitute or egg, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the half-and-half mixture. Add the remaining half-and-half mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl. 
4. Divide the custard evenly among four 5-ounce ramekins or 6-ounce custard cups and place a 9-inch square baking pan. Put the pan in the oven and add enough boiling water to the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins . Loosely cover the pan with foil to prevent  an skin from forming on the custards. Bake until the custards are barely set around the edges and jiggle in the center, about 25 minutes. Do not overbake, the custards will continue to firm up as they cool. 
5. Carefully transfer the ramekins to a rack and cool. Refrigerate, covered, until thoroughly chilled and set, at least 3 hours or up to 1 day. Garnish each pots de creme with a coffee bean (if using). 

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Pots de creme is French for pots of cream. Pots de creme date back to 17th century France when these desserts were serve in porcelain cups. They are usually made from eggs, egg yolks, milk and a flavor, usually vanilla or chocolate. Other pots de creme flavors can include coffee, maple, mint or pumpkin. These desserts are elegant and flavorful and are the perfect ending to a decadent dinner. They leave a nice aftertaste in your mouth because they have such a nice texture to them. 

Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 6 red potatoes (about 2 lbs.), peeled
• 9 tbsp. shredded reduced-fat Gruyere or cheddar cheese
• 2 cups fat-free half-and-half

Makes 8 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray. 
2. Stir together flour, salt, and pepper in a cup. 
3. Cut potatoes crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange one-third of potatoes in overlapping layer in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of seasoned flour and 3 tablespoons cheese. Top with half of remaining potatoes; sprinkle with remaining seasoned flour and 3 tablespoons cheese. Arrange remaining potatoes on top and sprinkle with remaining 3 tablespoons cheese. Pour half-and-half over all. 
4. Cover baking dish with foil; bake 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 F. Uncover and bake until top is golden brown and potatoes are tender, about 1 hour longer. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. This is another delicious take potatoes. Potatoes can be a wonderful comfort food when they're done right. The combination of cheese and potatoes is quite delicious.. I also recommend adding minced garlic to these potatoes because garlic always makes everything taste better. 

White Chipotle Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 medium onions, chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 tbsp. chipotle chili powder or chili seasoning
• 4 tsp. ground cumin
• pinch salt
• 3 (19 oz.) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Makes 8 Servings (1 1/2 cups per serving)

1. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 4-5 minutes. 
2. Push the onions to one side of the pan, add the chicken, and sprinkle with the chipotle chile powder, cumin, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, until most of the chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes. 
3. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the remaining beans and remaining 1 cup broth. Process to a smooth puree. 
4. Stir the bean puree and half-and-half into the soup. Divide the soup among 4 bowls and serve hot sprinkled with chees and cilantro. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. Chili is such a wonderful comfort food and this chili is a nice comforting chili. This is a different kind of chili because it uses chicken and white beans instead of the traditional beef and red beans. This chili can be frozen after its made and be enjoyed again when it is defrosted. 

Sweet Onion, Bacon, and Cheese Tarts

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 sweet onion, quartered and thinly sliced
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 3 slices Canadian bacon, finely chopped
• 1 egg, mixed well
• 2 tbsp. fat-free half-and-half
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• pinch cayenne 
• 24 frozen mini phyllo tart shells
• 1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese

Makes 24 tarts (1 tart per serving)

1. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring, until onion is golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
2. Add bacon to skillet and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add to onion and mix well. 
3. Preheat oven to 350 F. 
4. Meanwhile, whisk together egg, half-and-half, mustard and cayenne in a small bowl. Arrange tart shells on baking sheet. Spoon onion-bacon mixture evenly into shells. Top each with about 3/4 teaspoon egg mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Swiss cheese; bake until filling is set, about 15 minutes. Serve warm. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. These tarts are both filling and delicious. These tarts may be little but they pack a lot of flavor. These tarts can be served as appetizers at a fancy party or can be enjoyed as a light snack at home. 

Chocolate-Glazed Chocolate Bundt Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. instant espresso powder
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1/3 cup canola oil 
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg white
• 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Glaze:

• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted
• 3 tbsp. fate-free half-and-half

Makes 24 Servings (1/24 of cake per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 352 F. Spray a 10-inch Bundt pan with nonstick spray. 
2. To make the cake, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Combine the cocoa, chopped chocolate, and espresso in a small bowl. Pour the boiling water over the cocoa mixture, stirring until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Whisk together the buttermilk, oil, egg, and egg white in a large bowl; stir in the cocoa mixture until blended. Gradually add the flour mixture, stirring just until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Pour the mixture into the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and let cool completely on the rack. 
4. To make the glaze, whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Let stand until cool and thickened, about 15 minutes. Place the cake on a serving plate. Pour the glaze over, allowing it to drip down the side of the cake. Let stand until set, about 10 minutes. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Chocolate bundt cake is elegant and delicious. The recipe is tasty and delicious. The original recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar. I cut the sugar in half and the cake was just as delicious. The bundt cake makes a great sweet ending when you have company over for dinner. You can even make individual bundt cakes and they will still be delicious. The recipe calls for 45-50 cooking time for a whole bundt cake. If you make mini-bundt cakes, cut the cooking time in half because the cakes do rise. 

Plum Rice Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. slivered almonds
• 2 cups whole-grain brown rice
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. granular sugar substitute
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 small plums, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Makes 4 Servings

1. Heat the oven to 275 F. Spread almonds on a baking sheet and toast, stirring once, until fragrant and golden, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cool.
2. While almonds are toasting, in a medium saucepan bring rice, half-and-half, sugar substitute, and vanilla to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add plums and cinnamon; cook until liquid is absorbed and plums are softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer pudding to 4 dessert bowls, sprinkle evenly with almonds, and serve hot.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. (2/3 cup per serving)

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. This dish was surprisingly delicious. Who knew rice pudding could be so delicious? Plum rice pudding is quite flavorful and tasty. The plums literally melt in your mouth with the vanilla and cinnamon. The almonds add a nice crunch to the treat. You can use any kind of plum in this recipe and the dish will still be tasty. 

Sweet Onion, Bacon, & Chese Tarts

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 sweet onion, quartered and finely sliced
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 3 slices, Canadian bacon, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fat-free egg substitute
• 2 tbsp. fat-free half-and-half
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• pinch cayenne
• 24 frozen mini phyllo tart shells
• 1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese

Makes 24 Servings (1 tart per serving)

1. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add, onion, salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until onion is golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
2. Add bacon to skillet and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add onion and mix well.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F.
4. Meanwhile, whisk together egg substitute, half-and-half, mustard, and cayenne in small bowl. Arrange tart shells on baking sheet. Spoon onion-bacon mixture evenly into shells. Top each with about 3/4 teaspoon egg mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Swiss cheese; bake until filling is set, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. These are what I call breakfast treats in a tart. If you love bacon and eggs, these treats are for you. These tarts are filled with flavors of breakfast and they are very delicious. If you don't have egg substitute, use 1 egg mixed and the tarts will still be delicious. I highly recommend adding minced garlic with the onion because garlic always makes everything taste better. If you don't have Swiss cheese, substitute any Italian cheese, Mexican cheese or cheddar cheese and the tarts will still be tasty. 

Mocha Pots de Creme

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. espresso powder
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup fat-free egg substitute
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• pinch salt
• 4 whole coffee beans, for garnish (optional)

Makes 4 Servings (1/2 cup custard per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2.  Bring the half-and-half to a boil in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the chocolate, espresso powder, and vanilla; whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
3. Whisk together the egg substitute, brown sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the half-and-half mixture. Add the remaining half-and-half mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Pour though a fine-mesh sieve set over a medium bowl.
4. Divide the custard evenly among 4 (5 oz.) custard cups and place in a 9-inch square baking pan. Put the pan in the oven and add enough boiling water to the pan out come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Loosely cover the pan with foil to prevent a skin from forming on the custards. Bake until the custards are barely set around the edges and jiggle in the center, about 25 minutes. Do not overbake; the custards will continue to firm up as they cool.
5. Carefully transfer the ramekins to a rack and cool. Refrigerate, covered, until thoroughly chilled and set, at least 3 hours or up to 1 day. Garnish each pots de crème with a coffee bean (if using).

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Pots de crème is French for pots of cream. It is also the term for both the custard and the small lidded pots that they are often baked in. These French desserts are rich in flavor and make a nice sweet ending after any meal. The espresso powder give these pot de crème an extra richness in flavor. If you don't have egg substitute on hand, using 2 eggs mixed well works just as well.



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.

World's Easiest Hot Fudge Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 2 tbsp. light corn syrup
• pinch salt
• 8 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Makes 12 Servings (2 tablespoons per serving)

1. Combine the half-and-half, corn syrup, and salt in a heavy medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Bring to just a boil, whisking until smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the chocolate until melted and smooth.
2.  Return the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly; boil about 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Use immediately or cool to room temperature. Transfer to a covered container; refrigerate up to 1 month. Gently reheat before serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. If you love hot fudge sundaes, this sauce is for you. This hot fudge sauce tastes just as decadent as the hot fudge sauce at your local ice cream parlor. I highly recommend using dark or bittersweet chocolate in this recipe for a rich flavor. If you don't have vanilla extract on hand, use mint, peppermint, almond or orange extract for a more exotic or sexy flavor.

Chocolate Truffle Tartlets

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 1 tbsp. trans-fate-free margarine
• 4 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
• 1 large egg yolk
• pinch salt
• 2 oz. unsweetened dark baking chocolate, chopped
• 12 frozen mini phyllo shells, thawed
• 2 tbsp. no-sugar-added lite whipped topping

Makes 12 tartlets (3 tartlets per serving)

1. In a small saucepan, combine the half-and-half, margarine, and 2 tablespoons of the sugar substitute. Cook over low heat until the mixture is hot and the margarine is melted, about 1 minute.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar substitute, egg yolk and salt.
3. Whisk the hot half-and-half mixture into the egg mixture, then whisk back into the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, for 10 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate, and cover. Let stand for 5 minutes for the chocolate to melt.
4. Stir the chocolate mixture to recombine. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the chocolate mixture into each tartlet shell and refrigerate for 10 minutes. To serve, top each with 1/2 teaspoon whipped topping.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. These are what I call elegant sweet bites. Any dessert that uses prebaked mini phyllo shells filled with something sweet is an elegant sweet treat. You won't need to bake these shells because they thaw instantly. The filling is absolutely delicious because it tastes like a gourmet fudge that melts in your mouth. I highly recommend refrigerating these tartlets for a few hours or overnight so the flavors enhance. Serve these elegant treats to company and  they will be happy. 

Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Strawberries

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin
• 1 1/2 tbsp. water
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3/4 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
• 1 tsp. grated orange zest

Makes 4 Servings (1 panna cotta & 1/2 cup strawberries per serving)

1. Spray 4 (6 oz.) ramekins or custard cups with nonstick spray.
2. Sprinkle gelatin over the water in a cup. let stand until gelatin is softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, with edge of small knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean; reserve pod and seeds.
4. Combine buttermilk, half-and-half, 1/3 cup of sugar, and the vanilla pod and seeds in a medium saucepan. Cover over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in gelatin mixture until completely dissolved. Pour buttermilk mixture through sieve set over medium bowl; discard vanilla bean pod. Divide buttermilk mixture evenly among prepared ramekins. Cover and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 4 hours or up to 1 day (the longer it sets, the firmer it will be).
5. Toss together strawberries and orange zest with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour.
6. To serve, run tip of thin knife around edge of each ramekin to loosen panna cotta. Dip bottoms of ramekins, one at a time, into a bowl of hot water about 5 seconds. Unmold by inverting each panna cotta onto dessert plate. Surround with strawberries.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. This is what I call an elegant dessert. It's flavorful with a nice aftertaste. Panna cotta means cooked cream in Italian. A panna cotta is an Italian dessert that is made of sweetened cream that is thickened with gelatin and molded. The cream may be aromatized with rum, vanilla, almond, mint, coffee or any other flavoring. The combination of vanilla and berries is so heavenly it leaves such a nice aftertaste in your mouth. It may look complicated but this dessert is worth the time and effort.

Rich Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 8 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch salt
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free sour cream

Makes 4 Servings (3/4 cup per serving)

1. Bring the half-and-half just to a boil in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chocolate. Let stand about 2 minutes, then whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the vanilla and salt. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool to room temperature.
2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the sour cream in a medium bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low. Add the chocolate mixture in 3 additions, beating just until combined. Divide the  mousse evenly among 4 wineglasses or dessert dishes. Refrigerate, covered, until thoroughly chilled and set, at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. You can have your dessert and eat it too. Chocolate mousse is a classic French guilty pleasure it make you wonder how you can enjoy it with all the sugar. This chocolate mousse is sugar free, creamy and rich. The sour cream adds tang to the mousse. It is also recommended that adding a teaspoon or two of your favorite liqueur such as raspberry, orange, mint, hazelnut, Kahlua or any other liqueur while beating the sour cream, will add another layer of flavor to the mousse. They're right. The liqueur also makes the mousse richer.


Chocolate Caramel Sauce

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 cup warm water
• pinch salt
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp. light corn syrup

Makes 2 Cups (16 Servings; 2 tablespoons per serving)

1. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 1/2 inches of water and set over medium-low heat; bring to a slow simmer. Combine the chocolate, 1/4 cup of the warm water, and salt in a medium bowl; set over the saucepan. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; set aside. Pour out the water in the saucepan.
2. Pour the half-and-half into the same saucepan and set over medium heat; heat until just hot, about 3 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat; set aside.
3. Combine the sugar, the remaining 3/4 cup of warm water, and the corn syrup in a large heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is  dissolved. Increase the heat to high. Bring to a boil, washing down the side of the pan with a pastry brush dipped into cool water to dissolve any sugar crystals. Boil, without stirring, until the caramel turns a rich golden brown.
4. Immediately remove the saucepan from the saucepan. Wearing long oven mitts to protect your arms and being careful to avoid any spatters, whisk in the half-and-half, about 2 tablespoons at a time. Set the saucepan over low heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat; pour in the chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Use immediately, or cool to room temperature. Transfer to a covered container; refrigerate up to 1 month. Gently reheat the sauce before serving, adding a little water to the sauce slightly, if necessary.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is a quick and easy sauce to make and enjoy. If you love chocolate and caramel but can't decide which, make this sauce, you get the best of both flavors. You can put this over frozen yogurt, gelato, fruit, angel food cake or even over pancakes, waffles or even in oatmeal. You can refrigerate this sauce for about a month but it will thicken over time and become more flavorful.  

Rasberry Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 (6 oz.) containers raspberries
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free half-and-half
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch salt (optional)

Makes 8 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. Combine the raspberries, sugar and lemon juice in a food processor; pulse just until the berries are broken up. Pour the berry mixture through a sieve set over a large bowl, pressing hard on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids. Whisk in the half-and-half, sour cream, vanilla and (if using) salt. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about  2 hours.
2. Pour the raspberry mixture into an ice-cream maker and freeze according out the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer container; freeze until firm, at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours. This ice cream is best served the say it's made.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is a different but flavorful take on ice cream. You can taste the tartness of the raspberries in this ice cream. The original recipe called for rosewater but I used vanilla extract as a substitute and the ice cream was still delicious. You can use any kind of berry in this recipe and the ice cream will still be flavorful and tart.

Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 3 tbsp. finely chopped toasted hazelnuts
• 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Makes 32 Servings (1 truffle per serving)

1. Line a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap; spray with nonstick spray.
2. Combine the chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan and set over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until melted and smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the half-and-half until well blended.
3. Scrape the chocolate mixture into the loaf pan and spread evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.
4. Put the hazelnuts and cocoa powder on 2 separate plates. Inver the loaf pan onto a cutting board; remove the plastic wrap. With a sharp knife, cut the chocolate mixture into 32 equal squares. Lightly coat half of the squares in the hazelnuts and half in the cocoa powder. Place the truffles in a covered container, separating the layers with sheets of wax paper. Refrigerate up to 1 week.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. How can you not love chocolate truffles? Chocolate truffles are delicious when they are done right. You can have your truffles and eat them too. There is no sugar in these truffles and they are absolutely delicious. I highly recommend mixing the nuts and cocoa powder together to make the truffles more flavorful with a crunch. You can use almonds, walnuts or any kind of nut in this recipe and they will still be good. I also highly recommend adding a touch of vanilla extract when combining the chocolate and butter for more flavor.

Frozen Vanilla-Bean Yogurt

Ingredients:

• 1/2 vanilla bean
• 2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
• 2 cups fat-free half-and-half
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• pinch salt

Makes 8 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. With a small sharp knife, split the vanilla bean lengthwise in half and scrape out the seeds. Combine the vanilla- bean seeds and the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, whisking until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Pour the yogurt mixture into an ice-cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the yogurt to a freezer container and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours. This frozen yogurt is best served the day it's made.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is what frozen yogurt should taste like: cold, creamy and flavorful. The vanilla really adds a flavorful punch to the yogurt. The lemon zest and juice add a nice kick of zest to the yogurt. This frozen yogurt tastes better than what you would get at the yogurt shop. You can even add your own toppings like fresh berries, nuts or dark chocolate chips for that authentic yogurt shop taste.

Fresh Mint-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fat-free half-and-half
• 2 cups fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup fat-free egg substitute
• pinch salt
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Makes 10 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. Combine the half-and-half, mint, and sugar in a large saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat; cover and let stand about 10 minutes. Pour the mint mixture through a sieve set over a large bowl, pressing hard on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids.
2. Whisk together the egg substitute and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly add 1/2 cup of the hot half-and-half mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and set over medium-low heat. Cooking whisking slowly and constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes ( do not let boil).
3. Immediately pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl. Let cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 3 hours.
4. Pour the custard into an ice-cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions, adding the chocolate chips about 10 minutes before the ice cream is done. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer container and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours. This ice cream is best served the day it's made.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook.  This is what I call ice cream. If you love mint chocolate chip at your local ice cream parlor, you will love this homemade classic. It's taste better than what you would buy at the parlor or at the grocery store. I highly recommend adding a touch of vanilla for a sweet flavor and I highly recommend using dark chocolate chips because dark chocolate is more seductive in taste.