photo credit: cookie madness

A little over 2 years ago, two of my closest friends threw me a bridal shower, and included these AMAZINGLY delicious Lemon Cookies as favors for the guests. Omg, they were SO good. Words cannot describe. Well, ever since then, I’ve been hesitant to treat my self to these high calorie goodies, and I couldn’t find a Weight Watchers Lemon Cookies recipe that I liked. Needless to say, I’ve been dying for some lemon tea cookies!! So after playing around a bit with a few traditional lemon cookie recipes, I managed to create one that is decently lower in weight watchers points than the regular versions. Of course, I still wish they would be even lower in points so I could eat 100 or so, but alas, just a few will have to do. Enjoy!

Lemon Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup light butter, room temp
- 1/2 tsp table salt
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup fat free plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp lemon zest, freshly grated
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder; set aside. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; add egg yolks and combine thoroughly. Add lemon juice and zest; beat well. Add yogurt and a small amount of flour mixture (about 2 tbsp); beat to combine. Add rest of flour mixture and mix thoroughly. Turn dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat 2 cookie sheets with nonstick spray. Use large tablespoons of dough and roll int 30 balls; place about 2-inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake until edges of cookies turn golden, about 9 to 12 minutes. Remove and cool slightly. Put powdered sugar into a food storage bag; shake still-warm cookies, a few at a time, to coat lightly.

Entire recipe makes 15 servings
Serving size is 2 cookies
Each serving = 3 Point Total

Bacon and Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, un-bleached
- 4 slices cooked turkey bacon, finely chopped
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup fat free milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted, light butter, cold and cut into small pieces (like Brummel & Brown)
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp table salt
- 1 cup reduced fat buttermilk
- 1 tbsp light butter, set aside in a microwave safe bowl
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp dried parsley flakes

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a baking sheet with nonfat, butter flavored cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. With a pastry blender or a large fork, cut in the butter until you get a crumb-like mixture. Add in the bacon and cheddar cheese. Mix in the buttermilk and milk to form a dough.
Drop the dough by 1/4-cup measures (about the size of a 2” ice cream scoop) onto the baking sheet, making 16 mounds; push the mounds together. Spray mounds lightly with with the butter flavored, nonfat cooking spray. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. When you take the biscuits out of the oven, melt 1 tablespoon light butter is a small bowl in your microwave. Stir in ½ teaspoon garlic powder and the dried parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread this garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Then, sprinkle a pinch of Kosher salt onto the top of each biscuit. Serve at once.

TIP: For best results, bake the turkey bacon in a 425°F oven until brown and very crispy, 12–15 minutes.

Entire recipe makes 16 servings
Serving size is 1 biscuit
Each serving = 3 Point Total

Baked Tilapia Recipe

Ingredients:
- 4 fresh Tilapia fillets (approx 4oz each)
- 1/2 cup regular Fiber One Cereal
- 1/2 cup egg whites or egg substitute mix
- 1 tbsp granulated onion powder
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- non-fat cooking spray, butter flavored
- 1 tbsp garlic herb seasoning, like Lizzie’s Kitchen Oh! So Garlic! Seasoning

Directions:
Preheat broiler.
In a food processor or blender, process the Fiber One Cereal until it becomes a breadcrumb like consistently. Combine the cereal mix into a small bowl with onion powder, Kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, pepper. In another small bowl, pour in the egg substitute.
Coat a baking sheet with non fat, butter flavored cooking spray. Bread your fish fillets by dipping the fish into the egg substitute, and then gently shake off any excess. Then dip into cereal mixture and coat all sides of fillets evenly. Continue until all fish fillets are breaded.
Transfer fish to baking sheet and drizzle with lemon juice; then spray again lightly with the non fat butter flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle garlic herb seasoning over top.
Broil until fish is fork-tender, about 5 minutes.

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 1 fillet
Each serving = 3 Point Total

Tasty cornbread recipes are pretty easy to come by. But tasty low calorie ones aren’t always so easy. The ones I did try were bland or dry and just didn’t make the cut. So, after some experimentation, I managed to come up with an easy cornbread recipe that tastes great and has just a 3 Point Total per serving. And though it’s not an official Weight Watchers Corn Bread Recipe, anyone who is following the Weight Watchers Program will appreciate this low calorie version!

Cornbread Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked cornmeal, yellow
- 1 14oz can of creamed corn
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 packets of Splenda sweetener
- 1 tsp table salt
- 1/2 cup reduced fat buttermilk
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 tsp corn oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with non-fat cooking spray (I prefer the butter flavored kind).
Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, Splenda, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix well with a fork and set aside. Combine creamed corn, buttermilk, egg whites and oil in a medium bowl; mix until blended. Fold mixture into dry ingredients and blend. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely. Cut into 8 squares.

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1 square
Each serving = 3 Point Total

photo credit: roadfood.com

Ok, I need to be honest about my occasional need for the desire to eat something that has absolutely no nutritional value, but tastes insanely good. And sugary, Frozen Butterfinger Pie falls into that category. I mean, really, who doesn’t love Butterfingers!?!?! And whoever decided to put it into a pie is a flippin’ genius. However, if I want to stay on track with my Weight Watchers Points Range, I needed to seek out a lower calorie version of this popular, yet simple dessert recipe. Thanks to Aimee’s Adventures, I found this delicious Butterfinger Pie Recipe! I altered her version a bit to make it a little bit more Weight Watchers friendly, but it still tastes fabulous. Though this isn’t an official one of Weight Watchers Dessert Recipes, I think it’s a great dessert idea for anyone who is watching their Points but has a SERIOUS sweet tooth (and Butterfinger craving)!

Butterfinger Pie Recipe

Ingredients:
- 4 low fat graham cracker sheets
- 1 tub Fat Free Cool Whip, 8 oz
- 1 Butterfinger Candy Bar (2 oz), crushed
- 1/4 cup Hershey’s Light Chocolate Syrup
- 1/4 cup Smucker’s Sugar Free Caramel Topping

Directions:
Very lightly spray an 8 x8” glass dish or pan with butter flavored non-fat cooking spray. Line the bottom with the graham cracker sheets into the bottom. Mix together the whipped topping with half of the crushed Butterfinger. Spread the cool whip mixture over the graham crackers. Drizzle both the chocolate syrup and caramel syrup on top of the whipped topping. Sprinkle the remaining half of the Butterfinger on top. Freeze for at least 4 hours. Cut into 8 equally sized pieces.

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1 piece
Each serving = 3 Point Total

If you are a weight watcher with a serious sweet tooth, this easy dessert recipe for Baked Bananas Foster will make you beyond happy. Unlike many of the prepackaged diet desserts and low calorie ice creams, this tasty dish is made with all the good stuff! So there’s no “artificial” taste to it which I LOOOOOOVE! And because it’s so sweet and decadent, one serving is very satisfying. Though this is not an official one of Weight Watchers Dessert Recipes, this deliciously rich Baked Bananas Foster Recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family – dieters and non-dieters alike. Enjoy.

Baked Bananas Foster Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 medium sized banana
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray
- dash of cinnamon
- dash of nutmeg
- ReddiWip Fat Free Whipped Cream
- non-fat cooking spray

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with the non-fat cooking spray. Cut the banana in half lengthwise, and place on baking sheet, sliced side up. Spray bananas with the butter spray until both slices are evenly, yet lightly coated. Drizzle bananas with maple syrup. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes. Top with a dollop of fat free whipped cream right before serving. Yummy!!

Entire Recipe = 1 serving
Each Serving = 3 Point Total

photo credit: rdm random remarks

We’ve all had our share of low calorie turkey burger recipes, but this one is one of my faves. Loaded with tang and flavor, this turkey burger recipe tastes much better than most, and yet still keeps the calorie count low. Ground turkey can be pretty bland, and there’s nothing more disappointing than a bland burger. And with just a 3 Point Total, this Ranch Turkey Burger reaches new heights of yumminess! Though this is not an official Weight Watchers Turkey Burger Recipe, it’s a low calorie, low fat burger that any meat-eating dieter will love. Try serving with some 1 Point Butternut Squash Fries!

Ranch Turkey Burger Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean, ground turkey
- 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Dry Mix
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients. Form into 4 patties. Spray a frying pan with cooking spray. Cook the patties until done. Serve on hamburger buns or wrap in iceberg lettuce for a carbohydrate free hamburger recipe version.
NOTE: Serving with hamburger buns will add additional points to the recipe – make sure to factor that in!

Entire Recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 1 patty
Each serving = 3 Point Total

This Greek-Style Pasta Casserole Recipe is truly a unique and flavorful dish. I love almost all Mediterranean recipes, so I was excited to give this one a try. And I was NOT disappointed. It’s a pretty easy dish to prepare, and it packs a lot of flavor. With each serving only having a 3 Point Total, this is a wonderful low point dinner recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It’s also a great , original dish to take to a potluck as well. If you like mediterranean flavors, you’ll like this casserole…it was delicious. You can also add in some toasted almond slivers for added crunch, but make sure to factor that in to the Point Total. Though this is not an official one of Weight Watchers Recipes, it’s a great meal that just about any dieter will enjoy. You can also prepare this dish cold as a great greek pasta salad recipe!

Greek Pasta Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:
- 8 oz dried, low calorie pasta like Ronzoni Smart Taste, penne or rotioni
- 1 1/2 cups butternut squash, peeled and sliced into small pieces
- 3 handfuls spinach, chopped
- 2 cups fat-free, plain Greek yogurt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 8 large Kalamata olives, pitted and torn into pieces
- 1/4 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
- zest of one large lemon
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray an 8×12-inch baking dish with non-fat cooking spray. Sprinkle with lemon zest and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta until al dente. 10 seconds before the pasta is cooked, stir in the spinach and butternut squash; drain quickly and carefully. Run cold water over the pasta, squash and spinach (just enough to stop it from cooking), shake off any extra water and set aside. While waiting for the pasta water to boil, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, garlic, pepper and salt in a large mixing bowl. Set aside until the pasta is ready, then add the pasta-squash-spinach mixture to the yogurt mixture. Scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with Feta cheese and the olive pieces and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve sprinkled with some chopped fresh mint.

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1/8th of dish
Each serving size = 3 Point Total

Ideal as either an appetizer or main dish recipe, this Lemon Basil Shrimp Recipe is truly a meal to be had! Fresh and tangy, this dish will definitely satisfy your tastebuds, while still keeping you on track with your daily point total. Each serving has just a 3 Point Total, so it’s a wonderful low calorie meal idea for anytime of the day. This is a really easy shrimp dish that really looks wonderful, so I love to use it as a low calorie appetizer recipe served before the dinner entree. I think it’s also a great idea for a light and healthy lunch recipe! Though it’s not an official one of Weight Watchers Recipes, anyone who is following the Weight Watchers plan and is looking for low point meal ideas will certainly enjoy it.

Lemon Basil Shrimp Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp low calorie butter (I like Brummel & Brown)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound uncooked shrimp (thawed if frozen) with tails
- zest of a lemon
- juice from 1-1/2 lemons (about 3 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 red onipns, chopped

Directions:
Heat oil and butter on medium in a large skillet until it just starts to bubble. Add garlic and cook for a minute. Add enough shrimp to cook in a single layer. Cook until just opaque in the center, turning once, about 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining shrimp. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Add shrimp and gently combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours and up to 24 hours. To serve as an appetizer, place in dish lined with lettuce leaves and other vegetables, and mound shrimp on top. To serve as a main dish, arrange lettuce leaves on individual serving plates, mound shrimp on one side, and try serving with slices of cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Each serving = 3 Point Total

photo credit: southern living

Ok, I admittedly have been obsessed with my crock pot recipes lately. But come on…who doesn’t love a good slow cooker recipe? They are fast and easy, and taste delicious! And this low calorie Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe is truly one of the yummiest low calorie crock pot recipes I’ve tried. It’s zesty and tangy and full of fabulous garlicky flavor! And the best part, is that it’s so low in fat and calories, so each serving has just a 3 Point total! So if you are following the Weight Watchers plan, I’m thinking you’ll definitely appreciate this rockin’ Lemon Garlic Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe. Try serving this dish with a side of roasted veggies or one of my favorite 0 Point salads! Again, please note that this not an official Weight Watchers Chicken Recipe. :)

Lemon Garlic Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

Ingredients:
- 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
- 2 yellow onions, chopped
- 2 cups fat free, low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon pepper seasoning
- 4 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tsp lemon zest

Directions:
Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Mix together the lemon pepper seasoning, paprika and salt. Coat the chicken with the spice mixture. Place the coated chicken in the crock pot and cover with the fat free chicken broth, garlic cloves, parsley and onions and lemon zest. Cook on low heat for about 3-4 hours (or until done).

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1 breast, with approx 4 tbsp of sauce
Each serving = 3 Point Total