Delightful Weight Watchers Friendly Jam Shortbread Cookies with Stevia

The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and, of course, delicious treats! As the festive lights begin to twinkle and the scent of cinnamon fills the air, many of us eagerly anticipate baking up batches of our favorite Christmas cookies. While traditional shortbread cookies hold a special place in our hearts – even Santa can’t resist them – the thought of indulging can sometimes come with a side of guilt, especially for those mindful of their sugar intake or following programs like Weight Watchers. That’s why I’m thrilled to share a recipe for these lightened-up, sweet jam shortbread cookies, made in collaboration with Stevia In The Raw® (all opinions, as always, are entirely my own!).

By strategically swapping out half of the traditional sugar with Stevia In The Raw®, we’ve transformed a classic into a guilt-free pleasure. Each of these delightful cookies impressively clocks in at just 3 Weight Watchers points, making them a perfect addition to your holiday dessert table or a thoughtful gift for friends and family. This clever substitution allows you to savor the rich, buttery goodness of shortbread combined with the fruity burst of jam, all while keeping your health goals on track. It’s truly a reason to celebrate the holidays even more!

Baking Smarter with Stevia In The Raw®

Stevia In The Raw® is a fantastic zero-calorie sweetener derived from the natural extract of the sweet stevia plant leaves. Its natural origin and impressive sweetness make it an ideal choice for a wide array of cooking and baking applications, allowing you to reduce sugar and calorie content without compromising on taste. What makes Stevia In The Raw® Bakers Bag particularly convenient is its unique formulation: it measures cup-for-cup with sugar. This means you can effortlessly integrate it into your existing favorite recipes, simplifying the process of creating healthier versions of classic dishes. No complicated conversions are necessary; just replace sugar directly with Stevia In The Raw® Bakers Bag in equal amounts.

When incorporating Stevia In The Raw® into your baking, it’s generally recommended to replace only about half of the total sugar. This approach is key to achieving optimal results, as sugar plays a crucial role beyond just sweetness; it contributes to the proper browning, rising, and caramelization that gives baked goods their characteristic texture and appearance. By maintaining a portion of the original sugar, you ensure your cookies have that perfect golden hue and tender crumb that we all expect from a shortbread. This smart substitution also yields significant health benefits, as you can save up to 700 calories for every cup of sugar replaced with Stevia In The Raw®. Imagine the possibilities for your holiday feasts! Bake a batch of these exquisite shortbread cookies for your next gathering, and watch them disappear – everyone will adore them, and no one will guess they’re a lightened-up version.

Top Reasons to Bake These Jam Shortbread Cookies This Season!

These delightful Jam Shortbread Cookies aren’t just a treat for your taste buds; they’re also a smart choice for your wellness journey. Here’s why this recipe should be at the top of your holiday baking list:

Low in Sugar, High in Flavor

It’s rare to find a Christmas cookie that boasts only 2 grams of sugar per serving, but these shortbreads do just that! Thanks to the intelligent use of Stevia In The Raw®, you can indulge in the sweet, buttery flavor you crave without the sugar overload. We’ve managed to cut the sugar in half without sacrificing any of the deliciousness or the comforting taste that makes shortbread a holiday favorite. This means you can enjoy more than one, or share them generously, knowing you’re offering a healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality or festive cheer.

Endless Flavor Variations with Jam

One of the best features of shortbread cookies with jam is their incredible versatility. This recipe encourages you to get creative with your fillings! While I personally love the vibrant taste of raspberry and wildberry jams, the options are truly limitless. Consider orange marmalade for a zesty twist, or blackberry jam for a deeper, richer flavor. The key is to use a “no sugar added” jam to keep the cookies Weight Watchers friendly. This flexibility allows you to customize each batch to your preference or to cater to different tastes among your guests, making every cookie a unique experience.

Perfect for Festive Dessert Displays

Beyond their taste, these jam shortbread cookies are visually stunning, making them an ideal centerpiece for any Christmas dessert table. Their elegant, golden appearance with a vibrant pop of jam in the center makes them incredibly appealing. They are perfectly sized for easy grabbing and munching, ensuring your guests will be coming back for more all night long. These cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re a conversation starter, adding a touch of homemade charm and beauty to your holiday celebrations. They are guaranteed to be a hit and leave a lasting impression!

Why Shortbread? The Timeless Appeal of a Classic Cookie

Shortbread cookies are beloved for their simple ingredients, rich buttery taste, and crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Originating from Scotland, these cookies have been a staple in tea times and holiday celebrations for centuries. Their charm lies in their uncomplicated nature, allowing the quality of a few key ingredients to truly shine. The ratio of butter, sugar, and flour is precise, resulting in a distinct crispness and tenderness that is unmatched. By adding a touch of jam to the center, we elevate this classic, introducing a burst of fruity sweetness that complements the buttery base beautifully. This recipe honors that tradition while adapting it for modern health-conscious needs, proving that healthy choices can still be incredibly satisfying and delicious.

Essential Ingredients for Your Jam Shortbread Cookies

Crafting these delectable shortbread cookies requires a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor. Pay attention to the details, especially the butter temperature, for the best results:

• 1 cup light butter: I highly recommend using Gay Lea light butter for this recipe, and it is absolutely crucial that it is at room temperature. This ensures it creams beautifully with the sugars, creating an airy base for your cookies.
• ⅓ cup sugar: This provides essential structure, browning, and a touch of traditional sweetness.
• ⅓ cup Stevia In The Raw® Bakers Bag: Our star ingredient for reducing calories and sugar while maintaining sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that deepens the overall taste profile of the cookies.
• 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour: The structural backbone of our shortbread, giving it that characteristic tender crumb.
• 4-5 tablespoons no-sugar-added jam: Choose your favorite flavor! Raspberry, wildberry, orange marmalade, or blackberry are excellent choices.
• 2 tablespoons icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar: (Optional) For a simple icing drizzle, mix with a tiny drop of water until it reaches a pipeable consistency.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Perfect Jam Shortbread Cookies

Follow these detailed instructions to create beautiful and delicious shortbread cookies with ease. Each step is designed to help you achieve that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

1. Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the room-temperature light butter, sugar, Stevia In The Raw®, and vanilla extract. It’s crucial for the butter to be soft (room temperature) so it creams smoothly and incorporates air, which is vital for a tender cookie. Continue beating until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, usually 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
2. Incorporate the Flour: Reduce your mixer speed to low. Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, a little at a time. Mix only until just combined and a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies.
3. Chill the Dough: Gather the dough into a cohesive ball. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap (saran wrap) and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling is a vital step for shortbread; it allows the butter to firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and making the dough much easier to handle and shape.
4. Prepare for Baking: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup. Lightly spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray for extra assurance.
5. Shape the Cookies: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Roll the dough into small, 1-inch balls. Place these balls onto your prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 1.5-2 inches apart. Using your thumb or the back of a small measuring spoon, gently press down into the center of each ball to create a small indent. Don’t worry if the edges crack slightly; this is common for shortbread dough and adds to its rustic charm.
6. Fill and Bake: Spoon a very small amount (approximately ¼ teaspoon) of your chosen no-sugar-added jam into each indent. Be mindful not to overfill, as too much jam can bubble over and create a messy cookie. Bake the cookies for approximately 15 minutes, or until their edges turn a light golden brown. Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
7. Cool and Finish: Once baked, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. If desired, prepare a simple icing drizzle by mixing the confectioners’ sugar with a drop or two of water until it’s thin enough to pipe or drizzle. Decorate the cooled cookies with the icing for an extra touch of elegance. Serve and enjoy these delightful, lightened-up treats!

This recipe yields approximately 36 servings, making it perfect for sharing. Each cookie offers a balanced nutritional profile: Calories 47, Fat 2 g, Saturated fat .01 g, Carbs 7 g, Fiber .16 g, Sugars 2.09 g, Sodium .7 mg, Protein 1 g.

Weight Watchers Points for Shortbread Cookies with Jam

For those tracking with Weight Watchers, these jam shortbread cookies are an excellent choice. Here’s a breakdown of the points for the key ingredients, contributing to their impressive low-point value:

• Light butter: 63 points
• Sugar: 20 points
• Stevia In The Raw® Bakers Bag: 0 points
• Vanilla extract: 0 points
• All-purpose flour: 23 points
• No sugar added jam: 0 points
• Icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar (if used for drizzle): 4 points

Based on the WW app recipe creator, each serving (1 cookie) is just 3 points. This makes them a fantastic, guilt-free treat for any Weight Watchers member looking to enjoy the holiday spirit without derailing their progress.

If you’re using an older version of WW, here’s how the points break down:

• Freestyle SP (Blue & Purple plans): 2 points (using WW recipe builder)
• Smart Points (Green plan): 2 points (using SP calculator)
• Points Plus: 2 points (using PP calculator)

Creative Variations to Customize Your Shortbread Cookies

While the jam-filled shortbread is a delight, don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings and flavors to suit your taste or occasion. For those who aren’t concerned about Weight Watchers points, the possibilities are truly endless. I’ve personally made a few batches using rich Nutella, which adds a decadent chocolate-hazelnut twist. Other fantastic filling options include Biscoff cookie butter for a spiced caramel note, creamy honey peanut butter, smooth almond butter, or even pressing a classic chocolate kiss into the center after they bake for a melty, gooey surprise. You could also try different extracts in the dough, like almond or lemon, to further enhance the flavor profile. Get creative and make these cookies uniquely yours!

Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfect Shortbread Cookies

Ensuring your jam shortbread cookies turn out perfectly every time involves a few simple tricks. Here’s how to maximize their freshness and prevent common baking issues:

• Storage: These cookies keep wonderfully! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to seven days. For longer freshness, you can also freeze them. Simply arrange cooled cookies in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag, separated by parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, just let them come to room temperature on the counter for about 30-60 minutes. They’ll taste just as fresh as the day you baked them!
• Preventing Crumbly Dough: If your dough feels too crumbly after chilling, don’t worry. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly, then knead it briefly with your hands until it comes together before rolling into balls.
• Consistent Size: For even baking, try to make your cookie balls as consistent in size as possible. A small cookie scoop can be a great tool for this.
• Don’t Overbake: Shortbread should be pale with just golden edges. Overbaking can make them hard rather than tender.

Recipes You’ll Love to Try Next

If you enjoyed baking these delicious and healthy shortbread cookies, you might also like some of these other fantastic recipes that are perfect for any occasion:

• PB&J Pancake Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies
• Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese

Embrace the spirit of the holidays with these delightful and diet-friendly Jam Shortbread Cookies. They prove that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health, allowing you to enjoy every festive moment, one delicious cookie at a time. Happy baking and happy holidays!