Weight Watchers-Friendly Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake: A Delicious Dessert with Fewer Points
When it comes to desserts, many people assume that indulging in something sweet means throwing away their healthy eating goals. However, Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a dessert that can be enjoyed without feeling guilty, especially when it’s made Weight Watchers-friendly. This indulgent, easy-to-make dessert combines the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in the form of a cake that’s simple to prepare and perfect for serving at gatherings, after a hearty meal, or whenever you’re craving something sweet. With just a few modifications to make it more nutritious and lower in points, this dessert is one everyone will love.
In this recipe, we’ve taken the classic peanut butter cup-inspired dump cake and made it more aligned with Weight Watchers guidelines. By using healthier ingredients, reducing fat, and controlling portion sizes, you can indulge in this treat without sabotaging your efforts. In this detailed, professional recipe, we’ll walk you through the steps to make this dessert, including full Weight Watchers points, nutritional information, storage tips, and some customization ideas to suit your preferences.
Ingredients:
To make this Weight Watchers-Friendly Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake, we’ve used healthier alternatives that reduce the overall points without sacrificing flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 box of sugar-free chocolate cake mix (preferably a lower-calorie version)
- 1 cup of reduced-fat peanut butter (smooth or crunchy, depending on your preference)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (instead of oil or butter, to lower fat content)
- 1 1/2 cups water (or as recommended on the cake mix box)
- 1 cup of sugar-free peanut butter cups (such as Reeses or a store brand, chopped into small pieces)
- 1/2 cup of fat-free whipped topping (optional, for serving)
- 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (optional, for topping)
- Pinch of salt (to balance the sweetness)
This ingredient list ensures that you’re still getting all of the flavors you love from a peanut butter cup dessert but without the excessive calories, fat, and sugar that typically come with it. By using sugar-free cake mix, reduced-fat peanut butter, and applesauce instead of oil or butter, we’ve lowered the fat content while keeping the cake moist and indulgent. The sugar-free peanut butter cups provide that signature peanut butter-chocolate combination, with fewer points than the regular version.
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the ideal temperature for baking this cake, ensuring it cooks evenly and becomes golden brown on top.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. This will help the cake come out easily once it’s done baking. If you prefer, you can line the baking dish with parchment paper for even easier removal, though it’s not necessary.
Step 3: Mix the Cake Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar-free chocolate cake mix with water and unsweetened applesauce. Stir until well combined. The applesauce helps to keep the cake moist while reducing the fat content, replacing the typical butter or oil that’s used in traditional dump cakes.
Step 4: Add Peanut Butter Next, take the reduced-fat peanut butter and gently warm it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. This step helps the peanut butter mix more smoothly into the batter. Once softened, drizzle it into the cake batter and stir until fully incorporated. You should have a smooth, thick batter with a wonderful peanut butter flavor. The peanut butter helps add richness and depth to the cake without adding too many points.
Step 5: Add the Chopped Peanut Butter Cups Take your sugar-free peanut butter cups and chop them into small pieces. Add them to the cake batter and stir gently. These chopped pieces will add bursts of peanut butter and chocolate goodness throughout the cake, just like the traditional peanut butter cup candy. The sugar-free option cuts down on sugar and makes this dessert more Weight Watchers-friendly.
Step 6: Pour the Batter Into the Dish Once everything is mixed well, pour the cake batter into your prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly with a spatula to ensure the batter is distributed evenly across the dish. This will help the cake cook evenly and create a consistent texture throughout.
Step 7: Bake the Cake Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake is done when it has set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Depending on your oven, you may need to adjust the time by a few minutes, so keep an eye on the cake as it bakes.
Step 8: Add Chocolate Chips (Optional) After removing the cake from the oven, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the hot cake. The residual heat will melt the chips, giving the cake a rich, glossy finish. This step is optional, but it adds a bit of extra indulgence to the cake.
Step 9: Cool and Serve Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. You can enjoy it warm or at room temperature. For extra creaminess, top the cake with a dollop of fat-free whipped topping. This will add a light, airy contrast to the richness of the peanut butter cake.
Weight Watchers Points:
Per Serving (1/12th of the cake):
- Points: 4 points (Freestyle/WW Blue, Green, Purple)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 6g
This version of the Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a wonderful way to satisfy your dessert cravings without sacrificing too many points. The points value is low, and each serving is still rich, filling, and full of the chocolate-peanut butter goodness that everyone loves. By using sugar-free cake mix and reducing the fat with applesauce, you get a dessert that fits perfectly into your Weight Watchers plan without going overboard on points.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 6g
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Potassium: 220mg
- Calcium: 30mg
- Iron: 1mg
This dessert offers a nice balance of protein and carbohydrates, providing a satisfying treat without spiking your sugar levels. The added fiber helps to keep you full longer, and the protein from the peanut butter and cake mix helps round out the nutritional profile.
Useful Tips and Customizations:
- Make It Vegan or Dairy-Free: If you follow a vegan or dairy-free diet, you can easily modify this recipe. Use a dairy-free cake mix (many are naturally vegan), swap out the peanut butter cups for dairy-free chocolate pieces, and use a plant-based whipped topping to keep everything vegan-friendly.
- Make It Even Lighter: For an even lighter version, you can use a sugar-free cake mix and reduce the amount of peanut butter used. Using a smaller amount of peanut butter will lower the fat and calories, though it may slightly affect the richness of the flavor. You can also opt for non-fat whipped topping.
- Add Extra Flavor: If you want to enhance the flavor of the cake, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon. Both of these ingredients will add an extra layer of depth to the dessert without adding points.
- Substitute for Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free option, swap the regular cake mix for a gluten-free chocolate cake mix. Many gluten-free cake mixes taste just as delicious and will allow you to enjoy this dessert without worry.
Storage and Meal Prep:
- Storing Leftovers: This dessert stores well in an airtight container. After it has cooled, place the cake in a container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. This makes it perfect for meal prepping or preparing ahead of time for a party.
- Freezing: If you want to make this cake in advance, it also freezes well. Once it’s cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it for a few minutes in the microwave or oven.
- Reheating: To reheat individual servings, simply microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm. You can also reheat the entire cake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Conclusion:
This Weight Watchers-Friendly Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is the perfect solution for those looking to enjoy a decadent dessert without the guilt. With lower fat, fewer points, and a rich chocolate-peanut butter flavor, this cake is a wonderful choice for satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, making a treat for yourself, or prepping for the week, this dessert will fit perfectly into your healthy eating plan. With easy-to-find ingredients, minimal prep time, and a crowd-pleasing result, this dump cake is sure to become a favorite in your recipe box.
Enjoy the perfect balance of indulgence and health-consciousness with this simple, yet satisfying, Weight Watchers-friendly dessert.