Churro Cheesecake Cookies
Ingredients:

For the Dough:

  • Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (use light butter for fewer points)
  • Granulated sugar substitute: 1/2 cup (e.g., Stevia, Splenda)
  • Eggs: 2 large (or use egg whites to lower points)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups (or use a combination of whole wheat flour and almond flour)
  • Baking powder: 1 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • Light cream cheese: 4 oz (use reduced-fat or fat-free cream cheese)
  • Granulated sugar substitute: 1/4 cup
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • Granulated sugar substitute: 1/2 cup
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 tbsp

For the Caramel Sauce (optional):

  • Sugar-free caramel sauce: 1/2 cup

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Dough:
    • Cream the light butter and sugar substitute until light and fluffy.
    • Beat in the eggs (or egg whites) and vanilla extract.
    • Gradually mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt until a dough forms.
    • Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle.
  2. Cheesecake Filling:
    • Beat the light cream cheese, sugar substitute, and vanilla extract until smooth.
    • Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or plastic bag with the corner snipped off.
  3. Shape the Cookies:
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Form the dough into small balls and flatten them with your hand.
    • Pipe a small amount of the cheesecake filling into the center of each flattened dough.
    • Fold the dough over the filling to enclose it and roll it back into a ball.
  4. Coat the Cookies:
    • Roll each cookie dough ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
  5. Bake:
    • Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
    • Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack.
  6. Serve:
    • Drizzle the cookies with sugar-free caramel sauce if desired.
    • Enjoy these sweet treats guilt-free!

Points & Nutritional Information (Approximate per Cookie):

  • Calories: ~80-100 kcal (depending on modifications)
  • Fat: ~5g
  • Carbohydrates: ~12g (net carbs: ~10g)
  • Protein: ~2g
  • Weight Watchers Points: Approximately 2-3 points per cookie (depending on specific brands and modifications)

Tips:

  • Portion Control: Make smaller cookies to enjoy more pieces without increasing points.
  • Sugar Substitutes: Use a zero-calorie sugar substitute to keep the points low while maintaining sweetness.
  • Flour Alternatives: Using a blend of whole wheat flour and almond flour can reduce the overall carb count.

Benefits:

Balanced Indulgence: Combining healthy fats from light butter and protein from cream cheese, these cookies offer a balanced indulgence.

Satisfying Cravings: These cookies are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying within your Weight Watchers points.

Lower in Sugar: By using sugar substitutes, these cookies are lower in sugar and calories compared to traditional recipes.