There’s something magical about sinking your teeth into a festive peppermint-spiked muffin or digging your spoon deep into a gooey apple cranberry crisp that features all the tart and tasty flavors of the cooler months. When the temperature drops, I crave nostalgic sweets and seasonal flavors, and these thirteen Weight Watchers-friendly recipes always deliver both taste and diet-friendly results.
1. Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Donuts are my kryptonite, especially when they’re apple cider flavored, so I was ecstatic when I discovered this three-point version that tastes even better than the bakery kind. For that classic light donut texture, you just need some freshly grated apple, flour, an egg, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, butter, and a bit of baking powder. Baking them yields a delicious crust and a doughy, light center that is perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee.
2. Weight Watchers Mini Cherry Pies
These perfectly-portioned miniature cherry pies are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat and the ideal end to a dinner party or an easy self-care indulgence on the weekend. They’re four points per pie, so you can savor the juicy, sweet cherries and flaky crust with absolutely zero guilt. Plus, thanks to frozen fruit and reduced-fat crescent rolls, they’re super easy to make, and you probably have everything you need to whip up a batch in your pantry now.
3. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mini Muffins
For just a single Weight Watcher smart point, you can enjoy the inspired combination of peppermint and chocolate in muffin form. These treats are perfect for Christmas, but you don’t have to wait until the holidays roll around to make them. They get their velvety texture from plain yogurt and unsweetened apple sauce and a delightful kick from Swiss Miss light hot chocolate. A touch of peppermint extract and a few white chocolate chips round it off nicely.
4. Weight Watchers Baked Apples
When I was a kid, we’d celebrate the first serious apple harvest by slowly baking some of our prized picks with melty butter, spices, and plenty of sugar. This recipe brings me directly back to those cherished times with a seven Weight Watcher point rendition that yields tender, juicy apples scented with cinnamon and brown sugar and full of delicious buttery steel-cut oats. Enjoy this dessert by a roaring fire on a snowy evening for the ultimate seasonal treat.
5. Mini Peppermint Cheesecake Bites
These adorable two-point peppermint cheesecakes are next-level cute and incredibly easy to make. Instead of graham crackers, the base is crushed up Oreos for a chocolatey kick that plays well with the peppermint. The light cream cheese keeps things waistline-friendly, and a touch of red food coloring and crushed candy canes are a festive touch. Make them in a muffin tin for a no-mess presentation that’s a perfect treat for after-holiday shopping or a fun snack to enjoy while enjoying a mega holiday movie marathon on the weekends.
6. Weight Watchers Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
Truffles are one of my guilty pleasures, but the store-bought ones can be serious calorie bombs. Thankfully, I discovered this simple, seasonal two-point recipe that lets me indulge without worrying about derailing my diet. If the thought of making homemade truffles intimidates you, give this recipe a try. It has only six ingredients and is full of rich, luscious cinnamon-scented pumpkin and coated in satiny dark chocolate.
7. Apple Cranberry Crisp
Juicy apples and tart cranberries are two of my favorite fall flavors, and this homemade crisp does them justice while setting you back eight Weight Watchers points. It’s worth the slight splurge because it’s better than anything you’ll find at the bakery and straightforward to make. You can use any type of apples you have on hand, fresh cranberries, vanilla, brown sugar, and a bit of lemon juice to brighten it up. The crumbly top combines flour, oats, brown sugar, walnuts, nutmeg, and butter. The texture and flavor combination is fabulous for fall.
8. Weight Watchers Gingerbread Cookies
These generously sized gingerbread cookies get a glow-up from a sweet drizzle of white chocolate and are just four Weight Watchers points apiece. They’re perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, seasonal brunches, or just having on hand when you want to fire up the Lifetime Christmas movies. The key to their incredible texture is a quarter cup of molasses, which also adds a spicy bite that works beautifully with the sugary base.
9. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars
These portable, easily portioned chocolate chip pumpkin bars are a great sweet treat when I’m on the go and showcase some excellent seasonal flavors at the same time. Also, they’re only two Weight Watchers points apiece, so you’ll definitely be fitting into your New Year’s Eve dress. You will just need some pantry and refrigerator staples like Greek yogurt, canned pumpkin, apple sauce, brown sugar, eggs, flour, a touch of vanilla, and warming pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Dark chocolate chips take it to the next level.
10. Weight Watchers Sweet Potato Cake
The humble sweet potato has got to be one of the most versatile veggies out there. I love it in savory dishes or sweet, seasonal delights like a dense and delicious cake. It’s only five Weight Watchers points per serving and is packed with ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon for a warm and nuanced treat perfect for company. Topped with a Greek yogurt and maple syrup frosting, it’s fantastic for sweater weather.
11. Brown Sugar Oat Coffee Cake
Be prepared for next-level brunches with this five-point coffee cake full of brown sugar, cinnamon, and sweet honey. I love the interplay of the crisp top and delicious cake, which gets its moistness and fabulous texture from unsweetened applesauce and Greek yogurt. On lazy fall Sunday mornings, I like to enjoy it with a steaming cup of coffee and the crossword puzzle, but it’s truly tasty any time of the day.
12. Weight Watchers Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake
This beautiful bundt cake is a mere two Weight Watchers points per serving if you use zero-calorie sweetener, making it a showstopping dessert that’s also completely diet-friendly. Unsweetened apple sauce and silky pumpkin puree lend it a satiny base, and a Greek yogurt, vanilla, and cinnamon glaze complements the cake for a stunning presentation and taste. It’s a great blend of seasonal flavors that would be welcome on any Thanksgiving table.
13. Red Wine Poached Pears
I love this Old World recipe, which is two Weight Watchers points per perfectly poached pear. You can use any type of red wine, stevia, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and lime, and each bite is like traveling to the Burgandy region of France during the heart of winter. Adding unflavored gelatin at the end creates a satiny sauce that pairs ideally with every tasty bite of gently poached pears. Since the pears are ruby red at the end, this dish is ideal for get-togethers when you want to make something truly impressive.
When the mercury starts dropping, I reach for these tried-and-true seasonal recipes. They’re festive and fancy enough for holiday get-togethers but easy enough for a weekend treat. Best of all, they fit into your Weight Watchers diet plan, so you can enjoy seasonal desserts without skipping a beat.
Thank you for the recipes! Can’t wait to get started. They all look incredibly delicious.
Thank you Patty!