Delicious & Easy Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits: A Low-Point Dessert Recipe
If you’re searching for a treat that satisfies your sweet tooth without derailing your health goals, look no further than these incredibly delicious Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits. This recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of a classic apple pie in a convenient biscuit form, and the best part? Each delightful serving is just 3 Weight Watchers points!
For many, apple pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a taste of nostalgia, a warm embrace, and a staple at family gatherings. Whether it’s miniature apple pies, apple pie cupcakes, or any other variation, the combination of tender apples and warm spices is simply irresistible. This Weight Watchers-friendly recipe perfectly captures that beloved essence, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that fits seamlessly into your healthy lifestyle. What truly makes this recipe stand out is its remarkable simplicity and speed, thanks to the smart use of canned biscuits. This clever shortcut dramatically reduces your preparation time, allowing you to focus on crafting a truly exceptional homemade apple filling.
The star of this dessert is undoubtedly the rich, aromatic apple filling. It features a harmonious blend of warm cinnamon, fragrant nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla extract, creating a depth of flavor that’s both comforting and invigorating. While you can certainly use your favorite baking apples, many find that tart Granny Smith apples provide the perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the filling, ensuring a balanced and complex taste. This particular recipe is designed to serve 10 people, utilizing two cans of biscuits. However, its versatility means you can easily halve the ingredients if you’re cooking for a smaller group or simply want a single can’s worth of treats.
And for those who cherish the art of baking, especially during the festive holiday seasons, remember to explore my comprehensive baking recipe collection. You’ll discover a treasure trove of Weight Watchers-friendly ideas that promise to inspire your culinary adventures!
Why These Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits Are a Must-Try
In a world where delicious often means complicated, these apple pie biscuits break the mold. Here’s why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen repertoire:
- It’s Incredibly Time-Saving and Convenient: Life gets busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on homemade goodness. This recipe is specifically designed for speed and ease. By using readily available canned biscuits, you bypass the time-consuming process of making dough from scratch, rolling it out, and cutting it. This significantly cuts down on overall preparation time, making it an ideal choice for a last-minute dessert or when you’re craving something sweet but have limited time. It’s perfect for weeknight indulgences or impromptu gatherings.
- Made with Simple, Accessible Ingredients: Forget specialty stores or obscure items. All the ingredients required for these delightful apple pie biscuits can be easily found at your nearest grocery store. We’re talking about common pantry staples like apples, sugar (or a sugar replacement), everyday spices, and canned biscuits. This accessibility ensures that you can whip up this treat whenever the craving strikes, without a frantic search for exotic components. Plus, the flexibility to use real sugar or a zero-calorie replacement means you can tailor the sweetness and point value to your personal preferences and dietary needs.
- Absolutely Delicious and a Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Let’s be honest, taste is paramount, and this recipe does not disappoint. The flaky, golden biscuits provide a tender base, while the sweet, slightly tart, and warmly spiced apple filling creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly irresistible. It’s the kind of dessert that elicits smiles and requests for the recipe. Whether served warm from the oven on a cozy evening or as a delightful treat for friends and family, these apple pie biscuits are a testament that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or enjoyment.
Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits: Recipe at a Glance
Before diving into the detailed steps, here’s a quick summary of what to expect from this delightful and easy-to-make dessert:
- Serving Size: Each serving consists of 2 biscuits generously topped with the flavorful apple filling (approximately 161g).
- Number of Servings: This recipe is crafted to yield 10 satisfying servings, perfect for a small gathering or to enjoy throughout the week.
- Time to Cook: From start to finish, you’ll spend about 25 minutes actively cooking, making this a relatively quick dessert. (Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for total time, including prep).
- WW Points Per Recipe: A fantastic feature of this recipe is its low point value, with each serving being only 3 WW points. For easy tracking and seamless integration into your Weight Watchers journey, you can click here to view the recipe directly in the WW app (a Weight Watchers login is required for access).
Essential Ingredients for Your Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits
Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating these delectable apple pie biscuits. This recipe calls for simple, readily available items that come together to form a truly memorable dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 ½ lb Apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith are excellent for their tartness, but any firm baking apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji works well).
- ¼ – ½ cup (to taste) Brown sugar replacement (or real brown sugar) – Adjust this amount based on your desired sweetness and apple tartness.
- 1 ¼ tsp Ground cinnamon – Provides the classic warm spice flavor.
- 2 tsp cornstarch – Essential for thickening the apple filling to a perfect consistency.
- ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg – Adds another layer of warm, aromatic spice.
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall sweetness and depth of flavor.
- 1 ½ tbsp Lemon juice – Brightens the apple flavor and helps prevent browning.
- 2 tbsp Water – Aids in cooking down the apples and creating a saucy filling.
- 2 cans (7.5 oz each) of canned biscuits (I used Walmart Buttermilk biscuits for their low point value and convenience) – The shortcut hero of this recipe!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Crafting Your Apple Pie Biscuits
Creating these Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these easy steps to bring this delightful dessert to life:
- Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. Next, lightly grease a 9-inch or 10-inch cake pan or another suitable baking dish. This prevents the biscuits from sticking and makes for easy serving. Once greased, carefully arrange the canned biscuits in a single layer at the bottom of the pan, making sure they touch to form a cohesive base.
- Start the Apple Filling: In a large pot, combine your peeled and diced apples, water, and lemon juice. The lemon juice is crucial here, as it not only brightens the apple flavor but also helps prevent the apples from browning too quickly. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam, which aids in cooking the apples more efficiently. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are nearly fork-tender. You’ll know they’re ready when they offer slight resistance but can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Thicken and Flavor the Filling: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup of brown sugar replacement (or real brown sugar), ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and cornstarch. This pre-mixing helps prevent lumps. Sprinkle this dry mixture evenly over the nearly cooked apples in the pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring the spices and thickener are well distributed. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweetener dissolves and the mixture begins to thicken into a glossy, apple-pie-like consistency. Once thickened, add the vanilla extract and give it a final stir. Taste the filling at this point and adjust the sweetness or spices to your liking. If the apples are perfectly cooked and the filling is thick, remove from heat.
4. Initial Biscuit Bake and Topping: While your apple filling is simmering, place the pan with the biscuits into the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. This initial bake gives the biscuits a head start in cooking and achieving a slight golden hue. After 8 minutes, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Now, evenly spoon the warm, thickened apple mixture over the partially baked biscuits, spreading it right to the edges of the pan.
5. Final Bake and Serve: Return the pan to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes. During this final baking phase, keep an eye on your biscuits. The apple mixture should become wonderfully bubbly, and the biscuits themselves should be fully cooked through, golden brown, and fluffy. Once done, remove from the oven. These apple pie biscuits are heavenly served warm. For an extra touch, you can make an optional light glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk) to drizzle over the top, or simply serve them with your preferred apple pie accompaniment, such as a dollop of light whipped cream for those with extra points to spare.
Creative Variations and Smart Substitutions for Your Apple Pie Biscuits
One of the joys of cooking is the ability to adapt recipes to suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you have on hand. These Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits are incredibly flexible. Here are some fantastic ways to customize them:
- Homemade Biscuits for a Personal Touch: While canned biscuits are a fantastic shortcut for convenience, you absolutely can opt for homemade biscuits if you prefer. This would involve a little more prep time but offers the satisfaction of a completely from-scratch dessert. When making your own, ensure your biscuit recipe yields enough to line a 9-inch or 10-inch cake pan, matching the quantity that two cans of standard biscuits would provide. Remember to factor in the points for your homemade biscuit recipe if you’re tracking with Weight Watchers.
- Jumbo Biscuits for a Heartier Treat: If you’re a fan of larger portions, adapting the recipe for jumbo biscuits is easy. You can either combine two regular-sized biscuits to form a larger one before baking, or simply purchase jumbo canned biscuits. If combining, gently press the edges together to form a single, larger biscuit base. Even with jumbo biscuits, many low-point varieties (like Walmart’s buttermilk biscuits mentioned in the original recipe) will keep your point count manageable, allowing you to enjoy a more substantial serving without excessive guilt. Adjust baking times slightly if using significantly larger biscuits.
- Sweetener vs. Sugar – Your Choice of Sweetness: The recipe suggests a brown sugar replacement to keep the Weight Watchers points low, which is an excellent choice for health-conscious baking. However, if you’re not strictly tracking points or prefer the taste of natural sugar, feel free to use regular brown sugar. This will slightly alter the nutritional profile and point value, but the deliciousness will remain. You can also experiment with granulated sugar or a granulated sweetener replacement instead of the brown sugar version; this will give the filling a slightly different, perhaps brighter, flavor profile but will still be equally delectable.
- The “Splurge” Version for Special Occasions: Sometimes, you have a few extra Weight Watchers points to spare, or you’re simply celebrating and want to indulge a little. For these moments, elevate your apple pie biscuits with some delightful toppings! A scoop of light vanilla ice cream melting over the warm biscuits is a classic choice. A dollop of whipped cream (light or regular) adds a creamy contrast. For a simple yet elegant finish, a dusting of powdered sugar can make them look and taste extra special. You can also create a quick and delicious glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk or water until it reaches a drizzly consistency, then spoon it over the warm biscuits before serving.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfect Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits
Achieving the perfect Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits is easy with a few key considerations. These tips will help ensure your dessert turns out flawlessly every time:
- Ensure Apples are Cooked Perfectly Tender: The texture of the apple filling is crucial. Before adding the sweetener, spices, and cornstarch, make sure your diced apples are cooked thoroughly to the point of being “fork-tender.” This means they should yield easily when poked with a fork, but not be mushy. Undercooked apples will result in a crisp, crunchy filling that doesn’t have the desired melt-in-your-mouth texture of traditional apple pie. Overcooked apples, conversely, can turn to apple sauce, losing their distinct apple pieces. Stirring occasionally while cooking and testing for tenderness are key.
- Serve Warm for the Best Experience: While these apple pie biscuits are enjoyable at any temperature, they are truly at their peak when served warm, straight out of the oven. The warmth enhances the aroma of the cinnamon and nutmeg, softens the biscuits to a delightful tenderness, and allows the apple filling to be wonderfully gooey and comforting. The contrast of the warm filling and biscuit, especially if paired with a cool topping like a light whipped cream, creates an unforgettable dessert experience. Don’t miss out on enjoying them hot!
- Smart Storage and Reheating Solutions: Should you be lucky enough to have any leftovers (which is rare!), proper storage is essential to maintain their freshness. You can either leave them in the original baking dish, tightly covered with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer them to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, they will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. For longer storage, these biscuits freeze beautifully; simply place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheating is simple. A quick warm-up in the microwave will do the trick for speed, though a few minutes in a preheated oven (around 300°F/150°C) will help crisp up the biscuits slightly, bringing them closer to their original texture.
- Choosing the Right Apples: As mentioned, Granny Smith apples are often favored for their tartness, which provides a lovely balance to the sweet filling. However, other great baking apples include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or even Braeburn. Experiment to find your favorite, but always choose firm apples that hold their shape well during cooking.
- Adjusting Sweetness to Your Taste: The amount of brown sugar replacement (or sugar) is listed as ¼ to ½ cup “to taste.” This is an important flexibility. Apples vary in natural sweetness, and your personal preference for sweetness might differ. Start with ¼ cup, taste the filling after it has thickened, and then add more in small increments if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making these delicious and healthy apple pie biscuits:
- What kind of apples are best for this recipe? For the best balance of flavor and texture, we recommend using firm, tart baking apples such as Granny Smith. Their tartness beautifully complements the sweet spices. Other excellent choices that hold their shape well include Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Braeburn apples. Avoid overly soft or mealy apple varieties, as they tend to turn mushy when cooked.
- Can I use frozen apples? While fresh apples are always preferred for their texture, you can use frozen sliced apples as a substitute in a pinch. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them first; simply add them directly to the pot with the water and lemon juice. Keep in mind that frozen apples may release more water, so you might need to cook the filling slightly longer to achieve the desired thickened consistency.
- Can I prepare the apple filling ahead of time? Absolutely! The apple filling can be made up to 2-3 days in advance. Cook it according to the instructions, let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to assemble, simply warm the filling gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before spooning it over the partially baked biscuits.
- Are there gluten-free biscuit options for this recipe? Yes, many brands now offer gluten-free canned biscuit dough! If you need a gluten-free version, simply seek out a suitable gluten-free canned biscuit product at your local grocery store. Be sure to check the nutritional information for any changes to the Weight Watchers point value, as it can vary between brands.
- How can I make this recipe even lower in points? To further reduce points, ensure you are using a zero-calorie brown sugar replacement and the lowest-point canned biscuits available. You can also slightly reduce the total amount of filling per serving, though this recipe is already quite optimized for low points.
The Enduring Appeal of Apple Desserts and Healthy Choices
Apple desserts hold a special place in our hearts and kitchens, often evoking feelings of comfort, home, and tradition. From classic pies to crumbles and crisps, the combination of sweet apples and warm spices is universally loved. What makes this particular recipe for Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits so compelling is its ability to deliver all that cherished flavor and comfort, but with a mindful approach to nutrition. By utilizing smart swaps and convenient ingredients, we’ve transformed a beloved classic into a guilt-free indulgence. This recipe is a testament to the fact that you don’t have to sacrifice taste or enjoyment when striving for a healthier lifestyle. It encourages smart choices, allowing you to savor every bite without compromising your health and wellness goals. It’s truly the best of both worlds: wholesome, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.
More Weight Watchers Friendly Apple Delights
If you’ve fallen in love with these apple pie biscuits, you’ll surely enjoy these other Weight Watchers-friendly apple recipes:
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Apple Fritter Loaf
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
We hope you enjoy making and savoring these delightful Weight Watchers Apple Pie Biscuits. They truly offer a guilt-free way to enjoy a classic dessert, proving that deliciousness and healthy eating can go hand-in-hand. Happy baking!
Apple Pie Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lb Apples, peeled and diced
- ¼ – ½ cup (to taste) Brown sugar replacement, (or real brown sugar)
- 1 ¼ tsp Ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Water
- 2 cans (7.5 oz each) of canned biscuits , (I used Walmart Buttermilk biscuits)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9-inch or 10-inch cake pan or other baking dish and line it with the biscuits.
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Make the filling by putting the diced apples, water, and lemon juice into a large pot. Cover and cook until the apples are nearly fork-tender (remove the lid to stir occasionally).
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Mix ¼ cup sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch together. Sprinkle over apples and mix to combine. Add vanilla and allow the sweetener to dissolve and then the mixture to thicken. Give the mixture a taste test and add more sweetener or spices to taste. Remove from heat when thickened and apples are cooked.
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Meanwhile, bake the biscuits for 8 minutes. Remove them from the oven and spoon the thickened apple mixture over top.
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Return to the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes longer, until the apple mixture is bubbly and the biscuits are cooked through. You can make an optional glaze for serving or serve with your preferred apple pie topping.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.