Weight Watchers-Friendly Apple Pie Cake: A Low-Point Dessert Delight
If you’ve been craving a warm, comforting dessert without sacrificing your healthy lifestyle goals, look no further than this Weight Watchers-Friendly Apple Pie Cake. It’s the perfect balance of tender, sweet apples paired with a light, fluffy cake, making it an irresistible treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your points in check.
This dessert is ideal for those following the Weight Watchers program or anyone simply looking for a healthier way to enjoy pie without the heavy calories and sugar content typically found in traditional apple pies. With wholesome ingredients like apples, stevia, and unsweetened applesauce, you can indulge in a sweet slice without feeling guilty.
Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, a weekend brunch, or as a light dessert to enjoy on your own, this apple pie cake recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. Packed with fresh apples and a hint of lemon, it’s the perfect fall-inspired dessert, but it’s light enough to enjoy year-round.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Cake
What makes this apple pie cake unique is its ability to combine the flavor and texture of an apple pie with the lightness of a cake, all while keeping the points count low for Weight Watchers members. Not only does it use simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, but it also contains just 1 WW point per slice, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy a healthy, portion-controlled dessert.
The apples provide natural sweetness and fiber, while the unsweetened applesauce adds moisture and richness to the cake without adding extra sugar or fat. The cake itself is light yet flavorful, thanks to the zest of lemon and a hint of stevia for sweetness. Whether you are serving it as a dessert or enjoying a slice with your morning coffee, this apple pie cake will quickly become one of your go-to recipes.
Ingredients Needed:
- 2 eggs
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon stevia (or your preferred sweetener, such as monk fruit or erythritol)
- ⅓ cup milk (100 ml) – unsweetened almond milk or other plant-based milk for fewer points
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ⅔ cup wheat flour (80 g) – you can substitute with whole wheat flour for added fiber
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 4-5 medium apples – peeled and thinly sliced (Granny Smith, Gala, or Fuji apples work well)
- Juice of ½ lemon – this helps keep the apples from browning and adds a refreshing zing to the flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, prepare your baking pan. Lightly grease a 9-inch round baking pan with cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal once the cake is baked. This also prevents the cake from sticking, so you can easily slice and serve it without hassle.
Step 2: Prepare the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, crack the 2 eggs and add a pinch of salt. Using a hand whisk or an electric mixer, beat the eggs until they are frothy and well-combined. This helps to incorporate air into the batter, giving the cake a light and airy texture.
Next, add 1 teaspoon of stevia (or your preferred sweetener), and whisk again until it’s fully dissolved into the eggs. If you prefer a different sweetener, you can substitute stevia with another zero-calorie sweetener, such as erythritol or monk fruit. Make sure to check the packaging of your sweetener for any specific conversion instructions, as sweetness levels may vary.
Add ⅓ cup of unsweetened milk (100 ml), 1 ½ tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce, and the zest of 1 lemon to the mixture. The applesauce gives the cake a natural sweetness and moisture without any added sugar, while the lemon zest adds a refreshing citrus note that brightens up the flavor profile.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together ⅔ cup wheat flour (80 g) and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Sifting helps to eliminate any lumps and ensures the dry ingredients are well-mixed, which will help your batter be smooth and consistent.
Gradually fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the flour is fully incorporated into the wet ingredients, but be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense texture. The batter should be thick but pourable.
Step 4: Prepare the Apples
Before adding the apples, peel and slice 4-5 medium apples thinly. The thinner the apple slices, the more evenly they will cook in the cake, creating a tender texture throughout. Toss the apple slices in a bowl with ½ lemon juice to prevent browning and to add a touch of tartness to balance out the sweetness of the apples. The lemon juice will also help enhance the overall flavor.
Step 5: Assemble the Pie Cake
Now that the apples are ready, it’s time to assemble the pie. Place the apple slices evenly in the prepared baking pan, making sure to cover the entire bottom of the pan. You can layer the apples to fit them snugly, or fan them out in a circular pattern for a beautiful presentation.
Once the apples are arranged, pour the batter over the apples, ensuring it covers them as much as possible. Use a spatula to gently spread the batter over the top, ensuring an even layer. The apples will partially peek through the batter, but they’ll also bake into the cake, creating a luscious, apple-filled treat.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so be sure to keep an eye on the cake during the final minutes of baking. The cake should rise slightly, with the apples becoming tender and melding into the cake.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Allowing it to cool slightly will make it easier to slice without falling apart. After cooling, remove the cake from the pan, slice it into 8 servings, and dust with additional stevia or cinnamon for an added touch of flavor.
Optional Garnish: For an extra boost of flavor, you can garnish the pie cake with a dollop of low-fat whipped cream, a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of sugar-free caramel sauce.
Weight Watchers Points Information
This Apple Pie Cake is designed to be low in points while still delivering a satisfying and delicious dessert experience. Here’s the breakdown of the Weight Watchers Points for the recipe:
- Apples: 0 WW points
- Stevia: 0 WW points
- Lemon Juice and Zest: 0 WW points
- Unsweetened Applesauce: 0 WW points
- Eggs: 0 WW points
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: 0 WW points
- Wheat Flour (80g): ~8 WW points
The total points for the entire recipe are approximately 8 WW points, with 8 slices of pie cake. This means each slice is approximately 1 WW point, making it an excellent low-point option for dessert. Whether you’re having it as a treat after dinner or sharing it with friends, you can enjoy this dessert guilt-free!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 1 Slice)
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 10g (mostly natural sugars from apples)
- Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Vitamins and Minerals: Rich in Vitamin A (from apples), Vitamin C (from lemon), and calcium
Pro Tips and Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: For a gluten-free version of this recipe, you can substitute the wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure to check that the baking powder is also gluten-free if needed.
- Add-ins: If you like a bit more texture in your dessert, feel free to add chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds, or even a sprinkle of raisins or cinnamon to the batter.
- Make It Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with a plant-based egg replacer, such as flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg). You can also use non-dairy milk like oat or soy milk.
- Storage: