Weight Watchers-Friendly Lemon Meringue Pie
Ingredients

Crust:

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (use reduced-fat or low-sugar)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (substitute with 2 tablespoons of a low-calorie sweetener like Stevia or Splenda if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (reduce from 1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:

  • 2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or another low-calorie milk substitute)
  • 1/3 cup sugar (substitute with 1/4 cup low-calorie sweetener)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/4 cup sugar (substitute with 2 tablespoons low-calorie sweetener)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Preparation

  1. Preheat Oven:
    • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  2. Prepare Crust:
    • In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar (or sweetener), cinnamon, and salt.
    • Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles damp sand.
    • Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of the crust mixture for sprinkling on top later.
    • Press the remaining crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of an 8 or 9-inch pie plate.
    • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool.
  3. Prepare Filling:
    • In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar (or sweetener) and cornstarch.
    • Stir in almond milk and egg yolks.
    • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and just starts to boil. Remove from heat.
    • Stir in vanilla extract and salt. Let cool slightly.
  4. Prepare Topping:
    • In a clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
    • Gradually add sugar (or sweetener), continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
  5. Assemble Pie:
    • Pour custard filling onto the cooled crust and spread evenly.
    • Top with meringue, spreading it all the way to the edges to seal.
    • Optionally, sprinkle with reserved crust crumbs.
  6. Bake:
    • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the meringue is lightly browned. Watch closely to avoid burning.
    • Remove from the oven and cool before slicing and serving.

Tips:

  • Sweetener Substitutes: Using low-calorie sweeteners reduces the overall calorie and sugar content. Adjust sweetness according to taste.
  • Milk Choice: Unsweetened almond milk or other low-calorie milk alternatives keep the calorie count lower.
  • Crust Adjustments: Use a reduced-fat graham cracker crumb to further lower the points. Consider making a crustless version if you need to cut points further.

Benefits:

  • Lower Calories: Substituting with low-calorie sweeteners and using unsweetened almond milk significantly reduces calories.
  • Protein: Egg whites provide a good source of protein while keeping fat content low.
  • No Added Sugars: Using sweeteners in place of sugar reduces added sugars, which is beneficial for managing weight.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving, 8 servings):

  • Calories: ~180 kcal
  • Protein: ~4g
  • Fat: ~6g
    • Saturated Fat: ~3g
  • Carbohydrates: ~25g
    • Fiber: ~1g
    • Sugars: ~15g (may vary depending on sweeteners used)
  • Weight Watchers Points: Approximately 6 points per serving (may vary based on specific products and adjustments)

This version of lemon meringue pie maintains the delicious flavors of the original recipe while being more aligned with Weight Watchers goals. Enjoy your lighter, tasty dessert!