I’ll admit it; I’m totally defenseless when it comes to the seductive lure of sugary foods. I’ll take a dense slice of chocolate cake topped with a swirl of whipped cream over a bag of chips any day. Fortunately, I don’t need to derail my diet to enjoy my sugar buzz, and neither do you! These thirteen recipes hit the spot, and they all clock in at five Weight Watchers points or less.
1. Strawberry Shortcake
Summertime simply screams for decadent pound cake crowned with ruby-red strawberries, celebrating the best of the season while keeping you well within your daily points. This dessert is only four points per serving, and it’s seriously one of the best shortcake versions I’ve ever tasted. Applesauce is your secret weapon, giving the pound cake a dense and rich flavor, and a touch of vanilla extract adds depth and plays perfectly with the tart strawberries. Sweet strawberries and a squirt of fat-free Reddi Wip provide the finishing touches on this epic seasonal treat.
2. Black Bean Brownies
At just two Weight Watchers points per serving; these black bean brownies taste like the most delectable chocolate brownies you’ve ever had. Black beans give each brownie a moist richness while giving you a big boost of dietary fiber. You can also stir in some chocolate chips, so each warm and gooey brownie has some pleasant surprises in every bite. You’ll never guess that these brownies are based on good-for-you beans rather than a base of chocolate, fat, and sugar, which is what makes them one of my top Weight Watcher-friendly recipes.
3. New York Cheesecake with Blueberry Compote
I absolutely adore New York-style cheesecake, but the store-bought stuff can certainly pack on the pounds. Instead, whip up this three-point wonder that uses non-fat Greek yogurt as a stand-in for heavier fats and creams. You’ll get all of the flavor without sacrificing your diet. Plus, I love the blueberry topping with tart, zesty berries, lemon juice, and some monk fruit sweetener. You can really load it on, too, because each serving is zero points.
4. Chocolate Banana Icebox Cake
This dessert is super elegant and impressive, and the chocolate and banana flavors work like a dream together. Plus, it’s protein-packed, so you won’t be tempted to sneak in seconds or thirds, and each portion is just four Weight Watchers points apiece. It’s also aesthetically beautiful, fitting in perfectly at your next summer soiree with layers of bananas, chocolate, and graham crackers. I love serving this icebox cake at brunches or evening cocktail parties, as it hits all of the flavor and aesthetic notes and always goes over really well.
5. Poppy Seed Loaf
Make this poppy seed loaf if you’re craving both carbs and sweets, and you’ll satisfy all of your cravings. I love this one when I’m in the mood for something nostalgic and not too sweet, and it can also do double duty as a breakfast bread. Plus, each serving will set you back just four points. Lemon juice and zest add brightness and tons of flavor, and unsweetened applesauce lends the loaf a moist texture.
6. Peach Cobbler
Celebrate one of summer’s most iconic fruits with this delicious three-point peach cobbler. Sliced peaches mingle with a tasty base scented with plenty of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon, contrasting perfectly in texture to the crumbly topping full of buttery flavor, vanilla, and cinnamon. It’s truly summer on a plate, with all of hte flavors you know and love, but none of the calories.
7. Mini Cherry Pies
I’m a sucker for a super cute dessert, and these four-point pies really do fit the bill. Plus, even though they look gourmet, they come together in a flash thanks to a reduced-fat Pillsbury crescent base. All you need are some frozen cherries, a little sweetener, a splash of orange juice, and some cornstarch to thicken it all up and you have a fabulous, perfectly portioned dessert that’s just four points each.
8. Slow Cooker Coffee Cake
This coffee cake is another delicious dessert that can double as a brunch or breakfast food, making it one of the most versatile recipes in my collection. Using a slow cooker to bake the cake is an inspired touch because it keeps the base dense and moist. Enjoy a thick slice topped with a delightfully light cinnamon streusel topping for only four points apiece.
9. Mud Cake
I reach for this recipe when I’m craving something gooey and chocolatey, but I want to stick to my diet. This cake is only two points per serving, and you would never know it, thanks to its ultra-rich and velvety base spiked with a little hot brewed coffee to give the cake that mocha flavoring. Applesauce stands in for heavier and less healthy ingredients, and a heaping portion of cocoa powder makes this dessert a chocolate lover’s dream.
10. Banana Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
If you want a no-fuss dessert that only dirties up one dish and is just four Weight Watcher points per serving, this mug cake is for you. It’s portion-controlled, bursting with banana flavor, and studded with lots of chocolate chips. Stirring in one egg yolk gives the cake a satiny feel while also providing lots of protein, and cinnamon adds in just the right amount of spice, giving the cake a flavor that’s mildly reminiscent of banana nut bread.
11. Creamy Mango and Coconut Ice Cream
If you want a taste of the tropics and to indulge your sweet tooth completely guilt-free, you need to try this zero-point mango and coconut ice cream. It’s the taste equivalent of basking on a beach in Bali. It has a thick, creamy texture, incredible fruit flavor from two full cups of mango pulp, and delicate coconut flavor throughout every frosty spoonful. Low-fat Greek yogurt gives this dish a lot of bulk and makes it feel like you’re eating something high in calories, even though you’re not.
12. Apple Crisp Pizza
This dessert pizza is an excellent treat for those family movie nights, and it’s easy to put together with a premade Pillsbury pizza dough base. It’s also just three points per serving. Plus, you probably have everything, or almost everything, you need to put it together in your kitchen right now. I prefer Granny Smith apples for the filling, but you can use whatever you have. The finished product is coated in cinnamon and sugar apple chunks, crunchy bits of oats, and drizzled with a sugar-free caramel sauce that truly ties all of the flavors together.
13. Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
Chocolate and banana are a dream team, and you can celebrate both of these dynamic flavors in a frosty dessert that will set you back a mere three Weight Watchers points per serving. Greek yogurt and mashed ripe bananas lend some cravable creaminess to the dish, and cocoa powder and a hint of stevia give it a rich, chocolatey taste. Plus, you can even pop in some chocolate chips for extra texture.
These fantastic Weight Watcher’s approved desserts will help you stay well within your allotted points without ever depriving yourself of a sweet treat at the end of the day. You really can have your cake and eat it too!
