Effortless Peanut Butter Apple Strudel: A Deliciously Healthy Dessert (Weight Watchers Friendly)
Who says delicious desserts have to be complicated? Often, the mere mention of a classic like “apple strudel” conjures images of intricate pastry work and hours spent in the kitchen. But what if we told you that creating an incredibly satisfying, warm, and comforting dessert could be astonishingly simple? We’re talking about a dish that comes together in under 10 minutes, fills your home with the most inviting aroma, and is perfectly aligned with a health-conscious lifestyle, like Weight Watchers.
Enter our Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Apple Strudel. This recipe is a game-changer for anyone craving a homemade treat without the fuss. It’s the kind of dessert that feels gourmet but requires minimal effort, proving that simple ingredients can indeed combine to create something truly extraordinary. Imagine the sweet, tart crunch of baked apples mingling with the creamy, nutty notes of peanut butter, all topped with a delightful, crumbly crust. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, ideal for a cozy autumn evening or any time you desire a guilt-free indulgence.
Beyond its incredible taste and ease, this peanut butter apple strudel stands out for its health-friendly profile. Each serving is designed to be low in Smart Points or Points Plus, making it a perfect fit for those tracking their intake. At just 3 Smart Points or 2 Points Plus per serving (based on 4 servings), it allows you to enjoy a decadent dessert without derailing your diet goals. And if you’re like me and prefer a more generous portion, sharing it with your significant other instantly turns it into two servings at a still-reasonable 6 Smart Points or 4 Points Plus each! This recipe isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavor, convenience, and wellness, all baked into one delightful dish.
Why This Peanut Butter Apple Strudel Will Become Your Go-To Dessert
Forget the intimidating reputation of traditional strudel. Our version strips away the complexity, focusing on maximum flavor with minimum fuss. The secret lies in embracing simplicity without compromising on taste or texture. Instead of delicate phyllo dough, we create a delicious, crumbly topping that perfectly complements the soft, spiced apples and creamy peanut butter filling. This makes it not only quicker to prepare but also significantly reduces the calorie and fat content, contributing to its Weight Watchers friendly status.
The combination of peanut butter and apples is a classic for a reason – their flavors complement each other beautifully. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of the apples provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory notes of peanut butter. When baked, the apples soften to a tender consistency, absorbing the warm spices, while the peanut butter melts into a luscious, comforting drizzle. The brown sugar and cinnamon add that quintessential “apple pie” warmth, making every bite feel like a hug from the inside out.
This recipe is designed for real life. Whether you’re a busy parent, a student, or simply someone who appreciates a quick and easy recipe, this strudel fits seamlessly into your schedule. From peeling and dicing the apples to a quick whisk of the topping ingredients, the hands-on time is incredibly short. Before you know it, your creation will be in the oven, transforming your kitchen into an autumnal oasis with its heavenly aroma. It’s perfect for a weeknight treat, a simple gathering with friends, or as a cozy dessert for a cool fall day.
Peanut butter apple strudel
Ingredients
- 4 apples, peeled and diced (I used gala apples, you can use your favorite)
- 1 Tbsp melted light peanut butter, I use Kraft light, you can also substitute with PB2
- 2.5 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 Tbsp melted light margarine
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375F, spray a 8 inch dish, I used a round dish.
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Peel and dice your apples, spread into the bottom of your dish.
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Melt your peanut butter in the microwave, I usually do mine for 35 seconds, remove and lightly stir then back in for another 20-25 seconds. Drizzle with a spoon over your apples.
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In a small bowl mix your brown sugar, flour and cinnamon together. Melt your margarine for about 30 seconds and slowly pour into your dry mixture and stir until a crumb mixture is formed. Sprinkle over top of your drizzled apple pieces.
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Bake in oven for approx 35 minutes.
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Serve warm, makes 4 servings at 3sp or 2pp each.
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Nutritional info, not including apples, per serving.. Calories 78… Fat 2.5g… Saturated fat 0.4g… Carbs 13.6g… Fiber 0.7g… Sugars 8.6g… Protein 1.2g
Additional Info
The Key Ingredients: Simple, Flavorful, and Smart Choices
Crafting this delightful strudel relies on a handful of humble ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of taste and texture. Understanding their contributions can help you appreciate the magic that unfolds in your oven:
- Apples: The heart of any strudel! We recommend firm, slightly tart apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith, as they hold their shape well during baking and offer a pleasant tang that cuts through the richness of the peanut butter. Peeling and dicing them ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency throughout the dish.
- Light Peanut Butter (or PB2): This is where the “peanut butter” in the name comes from, and using a light version or PB2 (powdered peanut butter) is key to keeping the Smart Points low. When melted and drizzled, it adds a warm, nutty aroma and a creamy layer that seeps into the apples, making every spoonful incredibly satisfying.
- Brown Sugar & Cinnamon: The classic pairing for apples! Brown sugar adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness, while cinnamon infuses the dish with that irresistible warmth and spice. These two ingredients are essential for creating the traditional apple dessert flavor profile.
- Flour: A small amount of flour helps to bind the crumb topping together, ensuring it achieves that desirable slightly crisp, yet tender texture. It also helps to thicken the juices released by the apples, preventing the strudel from becoming too watery.
- Light Margarine: Used in the crumb topping, light margarine provides the necessary fat to create a crumbly texture without adding excessive calories or saturated fat. It helps achieve a golden-brown finish and contributes to the overall richness of the topping.
Tips for Perfecting Your Easy Peanut Butter Apple Strudel
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few tips can elevate your baking experience and ensure a consistently delicious outcome every time:
- Choose Your Apples Wisely: As mentioned, firm apples are best. Avoid varieties that turn mushy quickly during baking. Mixing a tart apple (like Granny Smith) with a sweeter one (like Gala or Honeycrisp) can add a delightful depth to the flavor profile, balancing the sweetness and providing a more complex taste.
- Even Apple Dicing: Try to dice your apples into roughly similar-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and become tender at the same rate, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overly soft. Uniformity is key for consistent texture in every bite.
- Melting Peanut Butter: The microwave method works perfectly for melting light peanut butter. Stirring halfway through ensures uniform melting and prevents scorching, giving you a smooth, pourable consistency for easy drizzling. If using powdered peanut butter (PB2), mix it with a small amount of water until it reaches a similar pourable consistency, typically a 1:1 ratio with water or slightly less, depending on desired thickness.
- Crumb Topping Consistency: When mixing the melted margarine into the dry ingredients for the crumb topping, aim for a coarse, crumbly texture. It shouldn’t be a solid paste, but rather resemble wet sand. This is crucial for achieving that desirable slightly crisp, yet tender topping. If it feels too dry, add a tiny bit more melted margarine; if too wet, a pinch more flour.
- Serving Temperature: This strudel is absolutely best served warm, straight from the oven or reheated gently. The warm apples, melted peanut butter, and spiced crumbs create a truly comforting and aromatic experience that enhances the flavors.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Dish: Ensure your apples are spread in a relatively even layer. This allows for proper baking and ensures each piece gets enough heat to soften and caramelize slightly.
Weight Watchers & Healthy Eating: Enjoy Dessert Guilt-Free
One of the most appealing aspects of this Peanut Butter Apple Strudel is its commitment to healthy eating, especially for those following Weight Watchers. Every ingredient has been carefully chosen to deliver maximum flavor with minimal impact on your daily points. Apples are a fantastic source of fiber and essential vitamins, offering natural sweetness and bulk without adding any significant points to your meal plan. By opting for light peanut butter or its powdered alternative, PB2, we drastically cut down on saturated fat and calories compared to regular peanut butter, while still retaining that beloved nutty taste and creamy texture.
The strategic use of brown sugar, in moderation, and light margarine further contributes to a lower point value, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying dessert without the typical guilt that often accompanies sweet treats. This recipe exemplifies how mindful ingredient choices can transform a seemingly indulgent treat into a healthy option that supports your wellness journey. It proves that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or satisfaction to stay on track with your dietary goals. This strudel is a testament to the fact that healthy eating can be both delicious and incredibly rewarding, making it a perfect addition to your repertoire of diet-friendly recipes.
Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations for Your Strudel
While phenomenal on its own, this Peanut Butter Apple Strudel can be elevated with a few simple additions or creative twists, catering to different preferences and occasions:
- Light Toppings: For an extra layer of decadence without significantly increasing the points, consider adding a dollop of light whipped cream (dairy or non-dairy), a scoop of sugar-free vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of sugar-free caramel or chocolate sauce. These complements enhance the experience without compromising your health goals.
- Nutty Crunch: If you love added texture, sprinkle a few chopped, roasted peanuts, almonds, or walnuts over the top just before serving. This provides a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft apples and creamy peanut butter.
- Spice It Up: Feel free to experiment with other warm spices in the crumb topping or mixed with the apples. A pinch of nutmeg, a dash of allspice, or even a hint of ground ginger could complement the cinnamon beautifully and add another dimension of flavor.
- Fruit Variations: While apples are classic, you could try incorporating a mix of other firm fruits like pears alongside the apples for a different twist. Just be mindful of the moisture content of other fruits and adjust the flour in the topping slightly if needed to maintain the desired crumbly texture. For a berry burst, a handful of fresh or frozen (and thawed) berries could be mixed with the apples.
- A Touch of Citrus: A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the diced apples before baking can brighten their flavor and prevent excessive browning.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Simple, Healthy Dessert Awaits!
This Easy Peanut Butter Apple Strudel isn’t just another recipe; it’s an invitation to rediscover the joy of simple, homemade desserts that cater to both your taste buds and your health goals. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, it’s the perfect treat for any occasion, especially when you’re craving warmth and comfort. Say goodbye to the myth that strudel is difficult, and embrace this delightfully easy, Weight Watchers friendly option. Get ready for your home to smell like a dream and for your palate to sing with every guilt-free bite. Give this recipe a try today – you won’t be disappointed, and it might just become your new favorite healthy dessert!