Lightened-Up Spritz Cookies (WW Low Point Recipe)
Overview
Spritz cookies are a classic holiday favorite, known for their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive appearance. However, traditional spritz cookies are often loaded with butter and sugar, making them a higher-calorie treat. In this updated recipe, we’ve lightened up the classic spritz cookie while keeping all the deliciousness intact. By swapping in healthier ingredients and using a simpler method, you can enjoy these cookies guilt-free. The best part? They’re easy to make, as you no longer need a press! Instead, just roll the dough into balls, press them down with a fork, and sprinkle them with a bit of festive color.
This recipe provides a perfect balance between flavor and health-conscious ingredients. It’s perfect for holiday baking, family get-togethers, or any time you’re craving a sweet treat that fits into your Weight Watchers (WW) plan. Let’s break down the process, ingredient swaps, and nutritional breakdown of this recipe, so you can enjoy your favorite cookies without compromising your health goals.
SmartPoints Overview:
These Lightened-Up Spritz Cookies are WW-friendly and have a lower SmartPoint count compared to traditional recipes. The following points are based on each cookie:
- SmartPoints per Serving (Green Plan): 2 SmartPoints
- SmartPoints per Serving (Blue Plan): 2 SmartPoints
- SmartPoints per Serving (Purple Plan): 1 SmartPoint
Each serving contains 2 cookies, and the recipe yields approximately 30 cookies (depending on size), making them an ideal treat for sharing or meal prep during the holidays. With their manageable point count, these cookies fit into your daily WW budget, so you can indulge without guilt.
Ingredients
The key to lightening up your favorite spritz cookie recipe lies in smart ingredient substitutions. Here’s what you’ll need to create a healthier version of this timeless cookie:
For the Cookie Dough:
- All-Purpose Flour – 1 ¾ cups (210g) – 10 WW SmartPoints (Green Plan)
- Granulated Stevia (or another low-calorie sweetener) – ½ cup (120g) – 0 WW SmartPoints
- Unsalted Butter (lightened up) – ½ cup (1 stick) – 8 WW SmartPoints
- Egg – 1 large – 0 WW SmartPoints
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon – 0 WW SmartPoints
- Baking Powder – ½ teaspoon – 0 WW SmartPoints
- Salt – ¼ teaspoon – 0 WW SmartPoints
For Topping (Optional):
- Sprinkles (sugar-free or reduced-sugar sprinkles) – 1 teaspoon per cookie – 0-1 WW SmartPoint per cookie
- Powdered Sugar (optional, for dusting) – 1 teaspoon per cookie – 1 WW SmartPoint per cookie
Kitchen Equipment Needed:
Before you begin, gather the following kitchen tools to make the process smoother:
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A whisk or hand mixer
- A cookie sheet (baking tray)
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (for easy cleanup)
- A fork (for pressing the cookies)
- A cooling rack (optional)
- A spatula for shaping and transferring cookies
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This allows the oven to reach the optimal temperature while you prepare your cookie dough, ensuring that your cookies bake evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will help prevent the cookies from sticking, making cleanup a breeze. If you don’t have parchment paper or a silicone mat, you can lightly grease the sheet with cooking spray or a small amount of butter.
Step 3: Cream Together the Butter and Sweetener
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the unsalted butter and granulated stevia (or another low-calorie sweetener of your choice) together until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes. The butter should be softened at room temperature, as this will allow it to mix better with the sweetener and create a smooth texture.
Pro Tip: Using a low-calorie sweetener like stevia helps reduce the sugar content significantly without sacrificing sweetness. You can also experiment with other WW-friendly sweeteners like monk fruit or erythritol if you prefer.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla Extract
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sweetener mixture. Beat everything together until it’s well combined and smooth. The egg adds moisture to the dough and helps bind all the ingredients together, while the vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. These dry ingredients help the dough to rise slightly and give the cookies their light, fluffy texture.
Pro Tip: For a healthier alternative, you can use whole wheat pastry flour in place of all-purpose flour. This swap will add extra fiber to the cookies, which helps you stay fuller longer and makes them a bit more nutritious.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing as you go. Continue mixing until all the ingredients are fully incorporated into a dough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but easy to handle.
Tip: If the dough feels too sticky, add a small amount of extra flour, about a tablespoon at a time, until you can easily handle it. Be careful not to add too much flour, or the cookies may turn out too dry.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
Once the dough is ready, use your hands to roll small balls of dough, about 1 inch in diameter. Place each ball of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Press the Cookies with a Fork
Take a fork and gently press down on each ball of dough to flatten it slightly. This will give your cookies the signature spritz cookie look without the need for a press. The fork marks will also help the cookies bake evenly.
Pro Tip: If you want to make the fork marks more decorative, dip the fork in a bit of flour to prevent it from sticking to the dough.
Step 9: Add Sprinkles or Toppings
Before baking, top each cookie with a few colorful sprinkles or a dusting of powdered sugar if desired. This will give them a festive touch and a little sweetness on top, but be mindful of the extra SmartPoints. You can use sugar-free sprinkles or reduce the amount of powdered sugar to keep the points low.
Tip: Opt for sugar-free sprinkles to keep the points even lower, or skip the sprinkles altogether for a more classic look.
Step 10: Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as baking times may vary depending on the size of your cookies and the oven.
Tip: The cookies will firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking them. A little soft in the center is perfect for spritz cookies!
Step 11: Cool the Cookies
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. This resting time allows them to set properly and prevents them from falling apart.
Step 12: Serve and Enjoy!
Once the cookies have cooled, they are ready to serve! Enjoy these low-point, lightened-up spritz cookies with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze them for longer storage.
Nutritional Information (per Serving)
These Lightened-Up Spritz Cookies are a healthier take on the traditional recipe, offering a great balance of flavor and low SmartPoints. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for each serving (2 cookies):
- Calories: 80 kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 3g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- WW SmartPoints (Green Plan): 2 points
- WW SmartPoints (Blue Plan): 2 points
- WW SmartPoints (Purple Plan): 1 point
Useful Tips for Success
- Make It Gluten-Free: To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check if the flour blend contains xanthan gum, as that will help with the texture and structure of the cookies.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with adding different flavorings such as almond extract, lemon zest, or cinnamon to personalize your cookies. These flavor variations add a unique twist without increasing the SmartPoints.
- Decorating Ideas: These cookies are incredibly versatile when it comes to decoration. You can drizzle them with a small amount of melted
dark chocolate, add a few festive sprinkles, or even top them with a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
- Storage Tips: These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, and once frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.
Final Thoughts
These Lightened-Up Spritz Cookies are the perfect blend of holiday tradition and WW-friendly indulgence. By making a few simple swaps, you can enjoy this beloved cookie with far fewer calories and points, making it easier to stay on track with your wellness goals. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, meal prepping, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookies are a delicious and guilt-free treat you can feel good about.
So go ahead and enjoy these sweet, buttery, and festive cookies, all while keeping your WW SmartPoints in check!