Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf
Makes: 12 servings
WW Points: Approx. 4-5 points per slice (depends on your plan)
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute with whole wheat for extra fiber)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup low-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel cheese works well)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (to replace some of the fat)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (can use a sugar substitute like Stevia to reduce points)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup skim milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1/2 cup fresh or dried cranberries (chopped)
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, but adds great flavor)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat together the low-fat cream cheese, applesauce, and sugar (or sugar substitute) until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Then, mix in vanilla extract and orange zest.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Stir until just combined.
- Fold in cranberries gently.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information (per slice):
- Calories: 120-130
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fat: 3g (lower fat content due to low-fat cream cheese)
- Fiber: 2g (if using whole wheat flour)
- Sugar: 8g
Tips & Benefits:
- Lower Points: You can reduce points further by using sugar substitutes (like Stevia) and low-fat ingredients like fat-free cream cheese or Greek yogurt in place of some cream cheese.
- Fiber Boost: Adding whole wheat flour increases fiber, which helps with digestion and can make the loaf more filling.
- Cranberries: These are rich in antioxidants, and fresh cranberries have less sugar compared to dried ones.
- Moisture: The unsweetened applesauce keeps the loaf moist without adding extra fat, making this recipe lighter.
- Protein Boost: Use a small amount of vanilla protein powder in the batter to increase the protein content without changing the flavor significantly.
- Freeze-Friendly: This loaf freezes well, making it a great make-ahead option for quick snacks.
This version is a balanced, lower-point treat that keeps the classic flavors intact while making it more Weight Watchers-friendly!