Almond-Jam Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unbleached almonds (5 oz.)
• 1/4 cup granular sugar substitute
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 large egg white
• 1/4 cup sugar-free jam

Makes 27 bars (3 per Serving)

1. Heat the oven to 375 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. in a food processor, process the almonds, sugar substitute, and salt until finely ground. Add the egg white and process until the mixture forms a paste.
3. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet and shape into a 14 X 2-inch log. with a moistened thumb, make a 1/4-inch-deep trench down the length of the log. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden and set.
4. A few minutes before the log comes out of the oven, in a small saucepan, heat the jams over low heat until melted.
5. Once the log is baked, immediately spoon the jam along the trench. Cool the log on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before cutting crosswise on an angle into 27 bars, each a scant 1/2 inch thick.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. This may look complicated but it's not. I like to think of this treat as a healthy take on PB&J for dessert. There's no peanut butter in this recipe but the ground almonds and any flavor jam will do. ground almonds take the place of  flour so this is probably gluten-free. These bars actually make a nice sweet treat that can be enjoyed anytime of the day. Claire Robinson would enjoy these treats as well because it's a 5-ingredient fix.

 

Buttermilk Waffles and Jam

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole what flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp granular sugar substitute
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 1 1/4 cups 1 % or fat-free buttermilk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup sugar-free jam, any flavor

Makes 4 (1 waffle) Servings

1. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, salt and sugar substitute in a medium bowl. Whisk together oil, buttermilk, water and egg in a separate bowl. Pour buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
2. Heat waffle iron; coat lightly with cooking spray. Add a generous 1/2 cup batter per waffle and cook until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Dollop with jam and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts per waffle

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. I had these waffles for breakfast this morning and they were delicious! Warm jam served on top of waffles is SO good. These waffles taste just as yummy as the waffles you would get at a diner or even your local Waffle House, trust me. You can also wrap these waffles individually and freeze them for up to 3 weeks. Once you've had these waffles, you will never go to IHOP, Waffle House or any other diner again.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup granular sugar substitute
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1 cup creamy trans-fat-free peanut butter
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup sugar-free jam, any flavor

Makes 12 (2-piece) Servings

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix sugar substitute, egg, vanilla and almond (if using) together with an electric mixer on low for 3 minutes. Add peanut butter and baking soda. Mix on medium until dough comes together, about 30 seconds.
3. Form dough into 24 (2-teaspoon) balls and place on baking sheet 1 inch apart. Gently press your thumb into the center of each to make an indentation. Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon jam.
4. Bake until lightly browned on the bottom, 12-14 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts per cookie

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. Who does not love peanut butter and jelly? If you ever saw the photos of these cookies in the cookbook, you will want to cook them they look that good. Peanut butter and jelly is a childhood classic and these cookie taste so yummy with very little ingredients (That's right, no flour!). You can also use almond butter in place of the peanut butter and the cookies will still taste delicious. The combination of nuts and fruit is really yummy and you won't be buying store-bought cookies anymore (Sorry Nabisco!) I should warm you that these cookies are so good only eat one serving for yourself.