Irresistible Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pinwheel Cookies: Quick & Weight Watchers Friendly

Are you searching for an appetizer or dessert that promises to be a delightful surprise and incredibly easy to make? Look no further than these charming Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pinwheel Cookies! Far from your typical chocolate chip cookie, these unique treats are crafted using convenient Pillsbury crescent roll dough, forming beautiful pinwheels filled with a creamy, dreamy ricotta and chocolate chip mixture. Prepare for a chorus of “Ooo, what are those?!” as soon as you present them. Each bite delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience, offering a sophisticated yet approachable sweetness that’s reminiscent of a cannoli, but in an irresistible cookie form. It’s truly like a cannoli and a cookie had a delicious baby!

Crafting these bite-sized wonders requires only a handful of readily available ingredients, allowing you to create a sweet, slightly savory treat in no time. They are perfect for any gathering, from casual game nights to elegant brunches. Beyond their delicious flavor and impressive presentation, these cookies are also ideal for mindful eating. Each perfectly portioned pinwheel is surprisingly light, clocking in at a budget-friendly 3 Weight Watchers points. So, say goodbye to dessert stress and hello to impressing your guests with a fuss-free recipe that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and a healthy choice!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pinwheel Cookies

1. Unforgettable Flavor & Unique Presentation

These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a conversation starter! The elegant pinwheel shape and the unexpected, yet delightful, combination of ricotta and chocolate chips set them apart from standard desserts. Guests will be intrigued by their appearance and captivated by their rich, creamy taste. The subtle tang of ricotta beautifully balances the sweetness of chocolate, creating a flavor profile that evokes the beloved Italian cannoli, all wrapped up in a tender, flaky crescent roll crust. Be prepared for compliments and requests for the recipe!

2. Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Convenience

Who doesn’t love a recipe that uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand? These chocolate chip ricotta cookies are a testament to how easily you can whip up something spectacular without a lengthy shopping list. With just six core ingredients, most of which are pantry staples, you can go from craving to baking in no time. This makes them perfect for spontaneous entertaining or when you need a quick dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

3. A Healthier Indulgence: Low in Sugar & Weight Watchers Friendly

Enjoying a sweet treat doesn’t have to derail your health goals. Traditional chocolate chip cookies can pack upwards of 9 grams of sugar per serving, but these innovative ricotta pinwheels contain only 3 grams of sugar each. This significant reduction in sugar intake makes them an excellent choice for those monitoring their sugar consumption. Furthermore, each cookie is a mere 3 Weight Watchers points, making them a perfectly portioned and satisfying indulgence that aligns with a balanced lifestyle. You can enjoy the deliciousness without the guilt!

What Makes These Ricotta Cookies So Special? Deconstructing the Deliciousness

The magic of these chocolate chip ricotta pinwheel cookies lies in their clever combination of ingredients and simple preparation method. Each component plays a crucial role in creating their unique flavor and texture.

The Genius of Pillsbury Crescent Dough

The foundation of these pinwheels is the humble Pillsbury crescent roll dough. This pre-made dough is a game-changer, eliminating the need for mixing and chilling traditional cookie dough. It bakes up into a light, flaky, and buttery crust that perfectly encases the creamy filling. Its convenient format allows for easy rolling and shaping, contributing to the impressive pinwheel aesthetic without any extra effort.

Ricotta Cheese: The Heart of the Cannoli Flavor

Ricotta cheese is the star ingredient that elevates these cookies beyond a simple chocolate chip treat. Its naturally mild and slightly sweet flavor, combined with its creamy texture, is what gives these pinwheels their distinct “cannoli-like” quality. Using light ricotta helps maintain a lighter profile without sacrificing any of the rich, satisfying creaminess. When blended with cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla, it transforms into a smooth, decadent filling that’s truly irresistible.

Perfect Sweetness with Mini Chocolate Chips

The choice of mini chocolate chips is deliberate. Their smaller size ensures that every slice of the pinwheel gets an even distribution of chocolate, providing a burst of sweetness in every bite without overpowering the delicate ricotta flavor. Combined with a modest amount of icing sugar in the ricotta mixture, the sweetness is perfectly balanced, avoiding the cloying taste that some desserts can have. This mindful approach to sweetness is key to their low sugar content and overall appeal.

Gather Your Simple Ingredients for Ricotta Crescent Pinwheels

Here’s what you’ll need to create these amazing Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies. These ingredients are easy to find and come together effortlessly.

• 1 package reduced fat Pillsbury crescent rolls
• ¼ cup light cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup light ricotta
• 2.5 tablespoon icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 tablespoon mini chocolate chips

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Your Delightful Ricotta Pinwheels

Follow these easy instructions to create a batch of these mouthwatering cookies that will impress everyone.

1. Prepare the Dough: Carefully unroll the package of crescent dough. It typically comes as a single sheet, but you’ll want to separate it into two rectangles, each made up of four individual rolls. Gently pinch together any perforations or open seams in each rectangle to form a solid, flat surface. This creates a uniform base for your filling.
2. Create the Creamy Filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened light cream cheese, light ricotta, icing sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar), and vanilla extract. Use a spatula or electric mixer to blend these ingredients until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and lump-free. Ensure the cream cheese is truly softened for the best consistency.
3. Spread and Sprinkle: Divide the ricotta mixture evenly between the two prepared crescent dough rectangles. Use the back of a spoon or a small offset spatula to spread the filling uniformly to the edges of each dough piece. Then, sprinkle ¾ tablespoon of mini chocolate chips over the filling on each dough rectangle.
4. Roll and Chill: Carefully roll up each dough rectangle lengthwise, starting from one of the longer sides, creating a tight log. Once rolled, pinch the ends closed to seal in the filling. Place both rolls onto a plate or small baking sheet and transfer them to the freezer for at least 20 minutes. This crucial step allows the dough and filling to firm up, making them much easier to slice into perfect pinwheels.
5. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: When you have about 10 minutes left on your freezer timer, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the cookies from sticking.
6. Slice the Pinwheels: Remove the chilled rolls from the freezer. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully cut each log into 9 equal pieces, approximately ¾ to 1 inch thick. The serrated knife will help you achieve clean cuts without squishing the dough and filling.
7. Bake to Golden Perfection: Arrange the pinwheel slices on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the filling is set. Keep a close eye on them, as crescent dough can brown quickly.
8. Serve and Savor: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. These cookies are best served warm, allowing the chocolate to be slightly gooey and the ricotta filling wonderfully soft. Enjoy immediately!

This recipe yields 18 delightful cookies. Here’s the general nutrition info for 1 cookie: Calories 60, Fat 2 g, Saturated fat 1.07 g, Carbs 8 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugars 3.41 g, Sodium 117.52 mg, Protein 1 g.

Weight Watchers Points For Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies

One of the fantastic benefits of these pinwheel cookies is their Weight Watchers friendliness! Here’s a breakdown of the points for the entire recipe, and then per serving, based on common ingredient values and the WW app recipe creator.

• Reduced fat Pillsbury crescent rolls: 27 points
• Light cream cheese (softened): 6 points
• Light ricotta: 2 points
• Icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar): 5 points
• Vanilla extract: 0 points
• Mini chocolate chips: 5 points

Based on these totals, each serving (1 cookie) is approximately 3 points using the current WW app recipe creator. This makes them an excellent choice when you’re looking for a satisfying sweet treat without overspending your daily points.

If you’re using an older version of WW, check out these points below for reference, as point systems can vary:

• Personal Points: 2 (depending on your 0PP foods, as each individual’s plan may vary)
• Freestyle SP (blue & purple): 2 (calculated using the WW recipe builder)
• Smart Points (green): 2 (using a Smart Points calculator)
• Points Plus: 2 (using a Points Plus calculator)

Customizing Your Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pinwheels: Exciting Variations!

While the classic chocolate chip ricotta combination is truly delightful, this recipe is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to your taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

• Lower the Points Even Further: For an even lighter version, try swapping out the light cream cheese for fat-free cream cheese. Brands like Great Value often offer readily available fat-free options that won’t compromise on the creamy texture of the filling. This small change can make a difference in your total Weight Watchers points!
• Add Citrus Zest: For a brighter, more zesty flavor profile reminiscent of traditional Italian desserts, add ½ teaspoon of finely grated lemon or orange zest to your ricotta filling. The citrus burst complements the ricotta and chocolate beautifully.
• Spice It Up: A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the ricotta mixture can add a warm, comforting note.
• Nutty Additions: For added texture and flavor, sprinkle a tablespoon of finely chopped pistachios or almonds along with the chocolate chips before rolling.
• Chocolate Variety: Experiment with different types of chocolate! White chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks (chopped finely), or even a swirl of hazelnut spread could be delicious variations.
• Simple Glaze: For an extra touch of sweetness and presentation, whisk together a simple glaze using 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water. Drizzle over the cooled cookies before serving.

Expert Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies Every Time

Achieving perfectly formed and deliciously baked pinwheel cookies is simple with a few key tricks. Follow these tips to ensure your ricotta cookies turn out beautifully every time:

• The Art of Cutting Pinwheels: When it comes to slicing your chilled dough logs, a sharp serrated knife is your best friend. The trick is to start with a slow, gentle press down into the dough. Once the knife has partially penetrated, quickly complete the cut with a swift motion. This technique helps to prevent the dough from squishing and ensures neat, defined pinwheels. Trying to cut too slowly all the way through can lead to messy, flattened cookies.
• Don’t Skip the Freeze: The 20-minute freezer chill for the rolled dough logs is absolutely essential. This step firms up both the crescent dough and the creamy ricotta filling, making the logs much easier to handle and slice cleanly. Without it, your pinwheels might lose their shape and become difficult to cut.
• Watch Your Baking Time: Crescent roll dough bakes relatively quickly and can go from perfectly golden to overly brown in a short amount of time. Keep a close eye on your cookies, especially towards the end of the recommended 10-12 minute baking window. You’re looking for a light golden color on the dough and a set, slightly puffed-up filling.
• Proper Storage: These pinwheel cookies are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, when the dough is flakiest and the filling is at its creamiest. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. While still delicious, they may soften slightly compared to their freshly baked state. They do not hold up well to freezing and reheating; the texture of the ricotta filling can change and become watery, so it’s best to enjoy them within a few days of baking.

Similar Recipes You’ll Enjoy

If you loved the ease and flavor of these crescent roll pinwheels, you might also enjoy these other comforting and delicious recipes:

• Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Bake
• Buffalo Chicken and Potato Casserole
• Chicken Parmesan Casserole