Oatmeal-Cranberry Classics

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 egg white
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Makes 30 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. Spray 2 large baking sheets with nonstick spray. 
2. Whisk together the pastry flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl; set aside. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter oil, egg white, and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended, about 1 minute. Beat in the applesauce. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the oats and cranberries. 
3. Drop the dough by level tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets about 2 1/2 inches apart, making a total of 30 cookies. With the back of a spoon, spread the mounds to make 2-inch cookies. Bake until the edges are lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets on racks about 2 minutes. With a spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and set. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. If you are ever craving cookies, make these. These cookies are like having oatmeal for dessert. The original recipe calls for 1/2 cup of light brown sugar but I cut the brown sugar in half. The cookies taste just as delicious with the sugar cut in half. The applesauce give these cookies a good sweet bite to them and the dried cranberries give them a nice tart taste.  

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 8 dried dates
• 6 dried apricot halves, chopped
• 1 large egg
• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk

Makes 12 Servings (1/12 of bread per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F; spray an 8 x 4=inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. 
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; stir in the walnuts, dates, and apricots. In a small bowl, beat the egg; add the banana and milk. Pour over the flour mixture; stir until just blended (do not overmix). 
3. Transfer to the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool completely on a rack. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Banana bread is a wonderful comfort food on the go or when you're sitting at the table. Banana make this bread moist and the dates, apricots, walnuts and cinnamon make the bread flavorful. You can even cut the light brown sugar in half in this recipe and the banana bread will still be delicious. 

Dried Blueberry Breakfast Scones

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3/4 cup dried blueberries
• 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 egg white

Makes 12 Scones (1 scone per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together pastry flour, oats, flaxseed, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. With a pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs with some small pieces of butter remaining. Gently stir in the blueberries. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the buttermilk. Whisk together buttermilk and the egg white in a small bowl. Add the flour mixture and stir just until the flour mixture is moistened (the dough will be soft).
3. Gather the dough into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface; divide in half. knead each portion 2 times. Place the 2 pieces of dough on the baking sheet 5 inches apart. Pat each piece of dough into a 6-inch round. Spray a long thin knife with nonstick spray; cut each round into 6 wedges (do not separate the wedges).
4. Brush the scones with the reserved buttermilk. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet on a rack 5 minutes. With a pancake spatula, slide each round onto a rack and let cool completely. Separate the wedges.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Scones are a wonderful treat for breakfast or as a snack. The original recipe called for 1 tablespoon of turbinado sugar to be topped on the scones but the scones are just as delicious without the sugar. You can also cut the light packed brown sugar in the scones because there are natural sugars in the dried blueberries to make these scones taste  sweet. If you don't have dried fruit on hand, use real berries and the scones will still be delicious.

Streusel-Topped Apple-Spice Muffins

Ingredients:

Streusel Topping:

• 3 tbsp. whole wheat flour
• 3 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

 Muffins:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored & chopped

Makes 12 Servings (1 muffin per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
2. To make the streusel, combine the streusel ingredients in a small bowl until moistened; set aside.
3. To make the muffins, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk together the brown sugar, applesauce, yogurt, oil, melted butter, and egg in a medium bowl. Add the applesauce mixture and apple to the flour mixture; stir just until the flour mixture is moistened.
4. Fill the muffin cups evenly with the batter. Sprinkle evenly with the streusel, pressing lightly so it adheres. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a rack 5 minutes. Remove the muffins from the pan and let cool on a rack about 15 minutes longer. Serve warm.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Homemade muffins are absolutely delicious. These muffins are so tasty because they have the combination of apples and cinnamon. You can also use a pinch of nutmeg to these muffins for a pinch more flavor. The original recipe calls for 1/2 cup of light brown sugar but I reduced the light brown sugar to 2 tablespoons and the muffins tasted just as good. I reduce the amount of sugar because there is already natural sugars in the unsweetened applesauce and apples. Make these on the weekend and you can enjoy them on the weekend and through the week.

 

Cranberry-Ginger Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup shredded apple
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup rolled or quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped

Makes 28 Servings (1 cookie per serving)

1. Preheat oven to  375 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder in a small bowl.
3. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy; beat in egg, apple puree, and vanilla until mixed. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add flour mixture in two additions, beating just until combined. Stir in oats, cranberries and crystallized ginger.
4. Drop dough by level tablespoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto prepared baking sheets, making total of 28 cookies. Bake until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool completely.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. These cookies are a take on your traditional oatmeal cookies. The secret ingredients are the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and shredded apple. The original recipe called for 1/4 cup prune puree but shredded apple will work just as well. I also added nutmeg because nutmeg goes well with cinnamon and ginger. If you don't have dried cranberries on hand, substitute raisins, dried blueberries or dried cherries and your cookie will still be flavorful and delicious.

Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 egg whites
• 3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Makes 16 Servings (1 square per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, allowing the foil to extend over the rim of the pan by 2 inches. Spray with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl; set aside. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over low heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the cocoa and vanilla; let stand 5 minutes. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg and egg white to the cocoa mixture; whisk until blended. Stir in the flour mixture until blended. Stir in the walnuts.
3. Scrape the batter into the baking pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging, 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack. Lift from the pan using the foil as handles; cut into  16 squares.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. These brownies are a new take on brownies. They're fudgy and they go great as a topping over frozen yogurt, ice cream, or even in a parfait. They're packed with chocolate flavor and it is highly recommended to be washed down with a cold glass of milk.

Cherry-Pistachio Cannoli Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• pinch salt
• 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups sweet cherries, pitted, plus 4 cherries on the stem
• 2 tbsp. chopped pistachios

Makes 4 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. Combine the ricotta, brown sugar, and salt in a food processor; process until perfectly smooth, 1-2 minutes
2. Scrape the cheese mixture into a medium bowl; stir in the chocolate chips, orange zest, and vanilla. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
3. Stir the pitted cherries into the cheese mixture. Divide the cannoli cream evenly among 4 dessert bowls. Sprinkle with the pistachios and top each with a cherry in the stem. Serve at once.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. If you love Italian food or dessert, this treat is for you. A cannoli is a Sicilian dessert that is consisted of a pastry shell filled with ricotta cheese topped with nuts and/or chocolate chips. This spin on cannoli is both flavorful and filling. The combination of dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, orange, vanilla and cherries is absolutely delicious. If you don't want to eat this as a pudding, I highly recommend using this cannoli cream as a filling for cannolis. The cannolis will be deliciously filling. The points value will go up but they are worth it.

Bing Cherry-Brown Sugar Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 2 cups Bing or other sweet cherries (about 12 oz.), pitted
• 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• pinch salt

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

 

Melt the butter ina medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the cherries and cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to release their juice, 3-5 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, lemon juice and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the juices thicken slightly, about 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat; cool slightly to serve warm, or transfer to a covered container; refrigerate up to 2 days. Gently reheat to serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is what I call a fruity sauce. I love cherries and I really loved this sauce. This sauce has a smooth, silky texture to it bursting with flavor. This sauce goes great on top of ice cream, frozen yogurt, pancakes, waffles and slices of angel food cake.

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.

Coffee BBQ Sauce-Slathered Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 2/3 cup strong brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup packed granulated light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed with the large side of knife
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 6 (1/2 lb.) bone-in skinless chicken breast halves

Makes 6 Servings (1 piece of chicken per serving)

1. To make BBQ sauce, combine the ketchup, coffee, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the cayenne in a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 10 minutes. Pour the sauce through a strainer set over medium bowl; let cool to room temperature.
2. Meanwhile, spray the grill rack with nonstick spray; prepare the grill for indirect cooking and maintain a medium-hit fire.
3. Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place the chicken, skinned side down, on the cooler portion of the grill rack and grill, covered, turning once or twice, 15 minutes. Uncover the grill and continue to grill the chicken, brushing with the sauce, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a breast registers 165 F, about 5 minutes longer.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. If you love an all-American Barbecue, this dish is for you. This is a very simple and delicious chicken dinner cooked on the grill and will be enjoyed by everyone at your next barbecue. I highly recommend using regular or decaffeinated coffee in the sauce for a nice, smoky flavor. You can even cut the brown sugar in half and your BBQ chicken will still taste delicious. I highly recommend slicing the chicken breasts halfway down with about 3-4 slices per chicken so the BBQ sauce can get into the chicken and make it taste more flavorful.

Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats, preferably toasted
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 apple, peeled, cored, and grated
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Makes 24 Cookies (2 cookies per serving)

1. Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in oats.
3. With electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and brown sugar in a separate large bowl until light and fluffy. Add apple, egg, and vanilla, beating until mixed well. Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually beat in oat mixture until blended. Stir in cranberries. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls, about 1 inch apart, an prepared baking sheets, making total of 24 cookies. With back of spoon, flatten each cookie
4. Bake until cookies are lightly browned, 12-15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets on wire racks. Transfer to wire racks and let cool completely.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. These cookies make a nice after dinner treat. They're full of flavor and you forget they're not bad for you. I highly recommend using a Granny Smith apple in this recipe because Granny Smith apples are tart and go well with cinnamon and oats. You can also use dried cherries in place of the dried cranberries and the cookies will be just as good.

Peach, Raspberry & Almond Galette

Ingredients:

• 3 cups peaches, washed, seed removed, cut into 1/4-inch wedges
• 1 cup raspberries
• 2 oz. unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tbsp. light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp. ground almonds
• 1 tbsp. sliced almonds, lightly toasted
• 1 (11-inch) Whole-Wheat Galette Crust (see recipe)
• 1 tbsp. agave nectar syrup
• nonstick cooking spray

Makes 12 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Combine peaches, raspberries, applesauce, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, cornstarch and salt in a bowl.
3. Lightly spray 2 half sheets of parchment paper (12-inches by 14-inches) with nonstick cooking spray. place pie dough between the 2 sheets of parchment and roll 1/8-inch thick. To prevent sticking, periodically peel the parchment paper from the dough and then replace the dough between them. Once the dough is the desired thickness, remove top sheet, keeping the pie crust on the bottom sheet of parchment paper. Place on a sheet pan.
4. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon ground almonds in a 10-inch circle on the pie crust. Scoop the fruit mixture into the center of the pie crust, leaving a 1-inch rim around the outside. Be sure to capture all the juice. using the parchment paper, gently fold the 1-inch rim over the edge of the fruit all around the galette. Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon sliced almonds on top.
5. Bake galette on the bottom rack of an oven for 50 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time. The fruit juices should bubble and thicken; the crust should start to lightly brown.
6. Remove from oven, brush edge of tart with 1 tablespoon agave syrup, and let cool for 20 minutes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. This is a comforting and colorful dessert. Heck, you can even enjoy this treat for breakfast! This dessert is also healthier than most desserts because there isn't as much sugar as most desserts. Most of the sugar in this dessert is the natural sugar from the fruit. The combination of lemon zest and almonds add a touch of both crunch and zing to the fruity flavors. You can use any kind of summer fruit in this galette dish such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, rhubarb, apricots, nectarines or plums. You can even use pears and apples for a fall dessert in the galette dish but they will have to be peeled and sliced. I highly recommend adding a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and/or ginger to the fruit mixture because these spices always make your fruity desserts taste better. Serve this rustic dessert at your next dinner party and people will be happy, I guarantee.

Peach Crumb Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 Basic Pie Crust

Filling:

• 3 1/2 lbs. peaches , pitted and sliced (about 7 cups)
• 3/4 packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. water

Makes 12 Servings

1. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a 12-13-inch circle. Fit the dough into a 9-inch pie pan, pressing to fit and crimping the edges to form a rim. Freeze 20 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 F. To prepare the filling, in a medium bowl, combine the peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cornstarch, and vanilla extract; toss well. Transfer to pie shell.
3. To prepare the topping, in a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add butter, lemon juice, and water; stir to combine. Press the topping mixture together to form clumps, then break them into smaller pieces over the filling.
4. Bake 40 minutes, then tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep topping from over browning. Bake until the filling is thick and bubbly, 40-45 minutes longer.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. I recently got back from my vacation in South Carolina and brought back some fresh peaches to make a peach dessert. I really love cooked fruit when it's seasoned properly and I've always wanted to try a peach pie. This version of a peach pie is SO DELICIOUS! I really loved this pie because it was warm, moist, packed with flavor and it melted right in my mouth. If you really want to add more spice to this pie, I highly recommend adding a pinch of nutmeg and ground cloves along with the cinnamon and ginger because the combination of those spices are absolutely divine. Don't worry if the slice isn't perfect. The pie is still delicious. If you were ever a fan of the show 'Beverly Hills, 90210' back in the day, one of the signature dishes at the Peach Pit was 'Peach Pie.' Put on some oldies music, have a slice of this pie, topped with vanilla ice cream if you wish,  and you'll feel like you're at the Peach Pit (minus Nat and the gang!).

 

Apple Pie Filling

Ingredients:

• 3 medium apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbsp apricot jam or jelly

Make 6 Servings (3 1/2 tablespoons per serving)

1. In a non-reactive bowl, combine apples, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon and nutmeg.
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add apple mixture; cook until slightly softened, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in jelly. Serve hot or slightly cooled.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts

 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. I made this filling as a dessert for Thanksgiving and it  was SO delicious. I used this filling in a puffy pastry tart and it was really filling. I also used this filling in homemade oatmeal and it  was so much better than the store brand. I added the vanilla and almond extracts to make the filling more delicious and they were worth it. The extracts may affect the points value but worth putting into the filling.

                       

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups skim milk
• 3 large egg whites
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp confectioners' sugar

Makes 12 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9- X 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; mix well with a fork to combine.
3. In another large mixing bowl, combine milk, egg whites, melted butter and vanilla. Using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until blended; gradually beat in boiling water.
4. Gradually add flour mixture to milk mixture and mix on low speed until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan, on a wire rack.
5. Sift powdered sugar over cooled cake before cutting into 12 pieces.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts (1 slice per serving)

 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. Who does not love a piece of chocolate cake? I now have a new tradition in making a chocolate cake for my birthday and decorating it as well. It was my birthday and I wanted a guilty pleasure but not so guilty that it would make me fat. I made this cake in round pans and I decorated it with the Sprinkles' Dark Chocolate Frosting and it was SO delicious. The cake is 6 points a slice but frosting the cake could affect the points value. This cake is so chewy and moist you will never use the store brand ever again it's that good.



Apple-Cinnamon Wontons a la Mode

Ingredients:

• Butter-flavor cooking spray
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and minced
• 1 tbsp packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 24  wonton wrappers
• 1 1/2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 3 cups light vanilla ice cream

Makes 6 Serving

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon; toss to coat apples.
3. Place wonton wrappers on a flat surface. Drop apple mixture by teaspoonfuls onto center of each wrapper. Moisten edges of wrapper with wet fingers, fold over one corner to make a triangle and press sides together to seal. Transfer filled wrappers to prepared baking sheet and coat surfaces with cooking spray.
4. Bake until wontons are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Place wontons on individual plates and sift powdered sugar on top. Serve with ice cream on the side.
   
   

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts (4 wontons, 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar and 1/2 cup of ice cream per serving)

 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. Fall is here, apples are in season and it's time to turn on your oven and make your kitchen and house smell heavenly delicious. Wontons are usually thought of in Asian cuisine and the apple filling is like an Apple pie filling so this is an East-meets-West dish. Basically, this dessert puts a new twist on the traditional apple pie dessert. If you don't have ice cream, you can use plain yogurt or sour cream but it may affect the point value. These wontons can even be enjoyed without the ice cream as well. I also highly recommend adding nutmeg and cloves along with the cinnamon to add more flavors to the wontons.




Spiced Oatmeal Brulee

Ingredients:

• 4 cups skim milk
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 3 cups old-fashioned (rolled) oats
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp packed light brown sugar

Makes 6 Servings

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Meanwhile, bring the milk to a low simmer in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Stir in all the remaining ingredients except the brown sugar. Cook, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the oatmeal is creamy, about 3 minutes longer.
3. Spread the cereal mixture in an 8-inch square baking dish; sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar. Broil 5 inches from the heat until the sugar caramelizes, about 30 seconds. Let oatmeal stand about 2 minutes before serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts (1/2 cup per serving)

Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook. I was craving oatmeal this morning and I've always wanted to try this breakfast dish. Plus I really enjoy brulee of any kind. This dish put a sophisticated twist on your typical oatmeal. It was much creamier than the brand oatmeal you buy at the grocery store and it had more flavor. The brown sugar broiled on top gave the oatmeal a sweetness to it. I used fresh berries in this recipe and it was still delicious and you can use any kind of berry in this recipe. Heck, you can even add apples to this oatmeal. I also highly recommend adding a little more cinnamon and nutmeg to the oatmeal to make it a little more flavorful. This meal can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner and will quickly become a favorite that you'll never but brand name oatmeal again.

Banana Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 4 ripe bananas, cut into chunks
• 1 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup + 3 tbsp packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1 1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp rum

Make 12 Servings

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F; line a 12-cup muffin tin with double paper liners.
2. Into a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the bananas, buttermilk, butter, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar and the egg. Stir in the flour mixture until just blended. Stir in the currants. Fill the muffin cups two-thirds full with the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan on a rack.
4. Meanwhile, to prepare the frosting, in a food processor or blender, combine the ricotta, the remaining 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, the cocoa powder and rum; blend until smooth. Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. I have gone by this recipe dozens of times and I have always wanted to try this. Besides, who does not love a cupcake once in a while? my mom and I totally LOVED these cupcakes. If you want to serve these cupcakes to kids, I recommend using vanilla extract in place of the rum. Vanilla tastes good in almost any treat. These treats are great for adults because they're a guilty pleasure of banana bread with a sophisticated frosting on top. And they say cupcakes are not good for you!

Apple-Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats, toasted until lightly browned
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 apple, peeled, cored and coarsely grated
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp dark raisins

Makes 12 Servings

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F; spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray (don't spray if sheets are nonstick).
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), baking soda and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer on high spped, cream the brown sugar and butter until pale and fluffy. Add apple, egg, vanilla and almond extracts; beat until combined. Add the oats mixture; stir to blend, then stir in the raisins.
4. Drop the dough by tablespoons onto the baking sheets, forming 12 cookies on each sheet; flatten with the back of a spoon. Bake until lightly browned, 12-15 minutes. Cool completely on a rack. Store in an airtight container.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts (2 cookies per serving)

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Say goodbye to store-bought oatmeal cookies. This recipe is like a little bite of an apple crisp or apple oatmeal in your mouth. You can also use dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries or any other dried fruit in this recipe in place of the raisins. Heck, you could use chocolate chips to make it even sweeter but it would affect the point value. This is a wonderful treat that can be enjoyed anytime of the day.

Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup dried cherries

Makes 36 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Place room temperature butter into bowl of a mixer and mix with a paddle attachment until smooth, or beat with an electric mixer. Slowly pour granulated sugar in an even stream into butter and mix on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour in brown sugar, mix until incorporated and then scrape mixture down from sides of bowl.
4. Slowly beat in each egg one at a time until incorporated. Slowly beat in flour mixture until incorporated.
5. Scrape mixture down from sides of bowl and stir in oatmeal and then dried cherries. (Note: Freeze dough at this point or continue to step 6 for baking.)
6. Scoop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough onto a nonstick sheet pan, a pan lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat about 1 1/2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set. Cool completely. Either serve cookies or stack between sheets of waxed paper in an air-tight container and freeze for up to two weeks before serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts (1 cookie per serving)

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. I was on a roll with oats and cherries and I had a sweet tooth craving. I had made this cookies before and I enjoyed them the first time and I couldn't wait to make them again. Oatmeal cookies have always been a favorite of mine. Adding chocolate and cherries to these oatmeal cookies make them sinfully delicious. These cookies are moist and chewy and are more delicious than the oatmeal cookies you buy at the grocery store. You can make the cookie dough ahead of time, freeze it and then bake them for that fresh-out-of-the-oven smell and taste.