Delicious & Healthy Slow Cooker Cranberry Pear Cobbler: A Weight Watchers Friendly Dessert
Indulge in a truly delightful and comforting dessert with this incredible **Slow Cooker Cranberry Pear Cobbler**. Perfectly suited for crisp autumn evenings or festive holiday gatherings, this recipe offers a warm, inviting treat that’s both easy to make and mindful of your health goals. Each serving is astonishingly light at just 4 Weight Watchers points, making it a guilt-free pleasure for anyone following the Weight Watchers program without compromising on flavor or satisfaction.
Cobblers are synonymous with coziness, and this particular rendition elevates the classic dessert with a unique and harmonious blend of flavors. We pair tender, juicy pears with tart, vibrant cranberries, creating a dynamic taste profile that’s truly special. The warm embrace of cinnamon permeates every bite, offering a comforting aroma and flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the pears and the refreshing zing of the cranberries. Plus, the soft, yielding texture of the cooked pears adds a delightful mouthfeel that makes this cobbler utterly irresistible.
What truly sets this cranberry pear cobbler apart is its innovative cooking method: the slow cooker. This hands-off approach liberates your oven, leaving it available for other dishes during busy meal preps or holiday feasts. Once assembled, your slow cooker handles all the work, gently simmering the fruit filling and baking the fluffy topping to golden perfection over three to four hours, depending on your appliance. When it’s ready, you can serve this warm dessert with your favorite low-point accompaniments, such as a light ice cream, fat-free whipped cream, or a sugar-free whipped topping. It’s equally delicious enjoyed simply on its own. For those eager to explore more convenient cooking, be sure to check out my slow cooker recipe collection for a variety of delightful options.
Why This Slow Cooker Cranberry Pear Cobbler is a Must-Try
Beyond its delicious taste and Weight Watchers friendly nature, this recipe offers several compelling reasons to make it a staple in your dessert repertoire:
- Effortless “Set It and Forget It” Convenience: Imagine a dessert that practically makes itself! With the slow cooker, you simply combine the ingredients, set the timer, and let the appliance do all the heavy lifting. This frees up your time and attention, allowing you to focus on other tasks, entertain guests, or simply relax while your kitchen fills with the enticing aroma of baking cobbler. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a homemade treat without the fuss.
- Ideal for Feeding a Small Crowd: This recipe is designed to yield eight generous servings, making it a fantastic choice for intimate dinner parties, family gatherings, or small holiday celebrations. You can easily share this heartwarming dessert with loved ones, ensuring everyone gets a taste of its comforting goodness. It’s also a great option for potlucks or when you need to bring a dessert to an event, as it travels well.
- Excellent for Make-Ahead Meal Planning: Planning ahead can be a game-changer, especially during busy periods. This slow cooker cobbler can be prepared and cooked the day before you intend to serve it. Once cooled, simply store it in the refrigerator. When it’s time to enjoy, you can either warm individual portions in the microwave or transfer the entire cobbler to a baking dish and refresh it in the oven until heated through. This flexibility makes holiday entertaining and weekly dessert planning significantly easier.
Recipe At a Glance: Key Details
Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know about this delightful cobbler:
- Serving Size: Approximately 201g per portion
- Number of Servings: 8 delicious servings
- Time to Cook: A leisurely 3-4 hours in your slow cooker
- WW Points Per Serving: A fantastic 4 WW points per serving (28 points for the entire recipe). You can view the full recipe details directly in the Weight Watchers app by clicking here (WW login required).
Essential Ingredients for Your Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Cranberry Pear Cobbler
Crafting this delicious and healthy cobbler requires a few simple, accessible ingredients for both the fruit filling and the fluffy topping. Opting for canned pears offers convenience, while the zero-calorie sweetener helps keep the Weight Watchers points low without sacrificing sweetness.
Fruit Filling Components:
- 4 cans (14.5 oz each) sliced pears in water, thoroughly drained
- ½ cup Zero-calorie sweetener of choice (ensure it’s a 1:1 sugar replacement)
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon, for that signature warm and comforting flavor
- 1 cup Fresh cranberries, providing a delightful tart counterpoint
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Zero-calorie sweetener of choice (again, use a 1:1 sugar replacement)
- ¼ tsp Table salt, to balance the sweetness
- 6 ½ tbsp Light butter substitute (such as “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Light”)
- ⅔ cup Unsweetened plain almond milk, for a lighter dairy-free option
- 2 tsp Baking powder, for a wonderfully fluffy cobbler topping
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Cranberry Pear Cobbler
Follow these straightforward steps to create your irresistibly delicious slow cooker cobbler:
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine all the fruit filling ingredients: the drained sliced pears, zero-calorie sweetener, and cinnamon. Stir everything thoroughly until the sweetener and cinnamon are evenly distributed among the pears and cranberries. This ensures every bite is infused with flavor.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry topping ingredients: all-purpose flour, the remaining zero-calorie sweetener, baking powder, and table salt. Once combined, add the light butter substitute. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, gently mix the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse, crumbly particles. Avoid overworking the dough at this stage.
3. Next, pour in the unsweetened plain almond milk into the topping mixture. Gently stir until the ingredients are just combined and a soft dough forms. It’s crucial not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough topping. A few lumps are perfectly fine.
4. Prepare your slow cooker by lightly greasing the insert. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the fruit mixture into the greased slow cooker, allowing any excess juice to drain off. This helps prevent the cobbler from becoming too watery. Once the fruit is spread evenly, dollop and then gently spread the cobbler dough over the top of the fruit filling, ensuring it covers the fruit as much as possible.
5. Cover the slow cooker. To prevent condensation from dripping onto the cobbler topping and making it soggy, you can place a layer of paper towels directly under the lid before securing it. Cook on low for approximately 3 to 4 hours. Begin checking for doneness at the three-hour mark. To determine if the topping is baked through, gently insert a knife or fork into the underside of the dough where it meets the fruit. If the dough still appears wet, liquidy, or shiny, continue cooking. The cobbler is done when the topping is baked through and fluffy, and the fruit filling is visibly bubbly around the edges. Once cooked, gently fluff the topping with a fork for a rustic appearance, then let the cobbler rest, covered, for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle and the topping to firm up slightly.
Customizing Your Cobbler: Variations and Substitutions
This cranberry pear cobbler recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations and convenient substitutions to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs:
- Peach and Pear Cobbler: If cranberries aren’t your favorite, or you simply crave a different fruit combination, you can easily swap them out. Use two cans of sliced peaches (drained) along with two cans of sliced pears for a delightful peach and pear cobbler. This offers a sweeter, less tart flavor profile.
- Using Fresh Pears: While canned pears offer convenience, fresh pears can be a wonderful alternative, especially when they are in season. If using fresh, you’ll need approximately 5-7 cups of peeled, cored, and sliced pears. Keep in mind that fresh fruit contains more moisture, so you might need to extend the cooking time slightly or add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the fruit filling to thicken the juices.
- Sweetener vs. Granulated Sugar: To keep this recipe low in Weight Watchers points, we’ve utilized a zero-calorie sweetener. However, if you’re not tracking points or prefer traditional sugar, you can absolutely substitute granulated sugar. Simply use the same measurement (½ cup for the filling and ½ cup for the topping). Remember to adjust the recipe in your Weight Watchers app if you make this change to accurately calculate the point value.
- Alternative Milk Types: The unsweetened plain almond milk provides a light, dairy-free base for the topping. However, you can use any milk you prefer. Fat-free dairy milk, oat milk, soy milk, or even regular dairy milk will work well. The dough consistency and overall outcome of the topping will remain largely consistent, offering flexibility based on your dietary preferences.
- Additional Spices: Elevate the warm flavors by introducing more aromatic spices. Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of allspice, or even a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the fruit filling or the topping mixture. These additions can enhance the seasonal appeal and depth of flavor in your cobbler.
Expert Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Cranberry Pear Cobbler
Achieving a perfectly cooked and visually appealing slow cooker cobbler is easy with these helpful tips:
- Achieving that Rustic Fluff: Once your cobbler has finished cooking, I highly recommend gently fluffing the topping with a fork. This simple step creates a lovely, rustic texture that adds to the homemade charm of the dessert. If you prefer a smoother, flatter topping, you can certainly leave it as is after cooking.
- Managing Slow Cooker Hot Spots: Some slow cooker models can have ‘hot spots’ where certain areas cook faster or more intensely. To prevent any part of your fruit filling or topping from burning or overcooking, carefully rotate the insert of your slow cooker halfway through the cooking process. This helps ensure more even heat distribution.
- Confirming Doneness of the Topping: Before declaring your cobbler ready, it’s crucial to check the underside of the topping where it meets the fruit. While it might appear slightly moist, it should not be liquidy, raw, or shiny. The dough should be baked through, maintaining a fluffy and tender consistency, indicating it’s fully cooked.
- Prepping Ingredients Ahead of Time: To streamline the cooking process, you can prepare the fruit filling ingredients (draining pears, measuring sweetener and cinnamon) and even the dry topping ingredients the night before. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, then simply combine and assemble when ready to cook.
- Greasing for Easy Serving: Don’t skimp on greasing your slow cooker insert. A good spray with non-stick cooking spray or a thin layer of light butter substitute will ensure the cobbler doesn’t stick, making serving much easier and preserving the integrity of each portion.
- Understanding Cooking Times: Slow cooker models can vary in their heating intensity. The 3-4 hour cooking time is a general guideline. If your slow cooker runs hotter or cooler, adjust accordingly. Always check at the earlier end of the cooking window and extend if needed. Cooking on a low setting is generally recommended for cobblers to allow for even baking and prevent the bottom from scorching.
- Serving Temperature and Toppings: While delicious on its own, a warm cobbler truly shines with the right accompaniment. Consider a dollop of fat-free whipped cream, a scoop of low-fat vanilla ice cream, or even a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt for added protein and a tangy contrast. The warmth of the cobbler will perfectly complement the cool toppings.
The Wholesome Goodness: Health Benefits of Pears and Cranberries
Beyond their delightful flavors, both pears and cranberries bring a host of nutritional benefits to this cobbler, contributing to its healthy appeal:
- Pears: These sweet and juicy fruits are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which is crucial for digestive health and can help promote feelings of fullness, aiding in weight management. Pears also provide a good dose of Vitamin C and K, as well as potassium and antioxidants that help combat inflammation and support overall well-being.
- Cranberries: Renowned for their tart taste, cranberries are packed with antioxidants, particularly powerful polyphenols, which are linked to various health benefits, including supporting urinary tract health and reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases. They also contain Vitamin C and dietary fiber, contributing to a healthy immune system and digestive regularity.
By combining these two nutritious fruits, this cobbler offers a dessert that tastes indulgent but also provides valuable nutrients, making it a truly smart choice.
Storing and Reheating Your Slow Cooker Cobbler
Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious cobbler for days. Store any leftover cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can:
- Microwave: For individual servings, microwave on high for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through.
- Oven: For a larger portion or the entire remaining cobbler, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated. This method helps the topping regain some of its crispness.
Freezing is also an option! Transfer cooled cobbler into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Discover More Delicious & Healthy Cobblers
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might love exploring these other cobbler creations from my collection:
WW Fruit Cobbler
Weight Watchers Peach Cobbler
Peach Crumble Biscuit Pie
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pear Cobbler
Ingredients
- Fruit Filling
- 4 cans, 14.5 oz sliced pears in water, drained
- ½ cup Zero-calorie sweetener of choice, use a 1:1 sugar replacement
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 cup Fresh cranberries
- Topping Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Zero-calorie sweetener of choice, use a 1:1 sugar replacement
- 6 ½ tbsp Light butter substitute, I used I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Light
- ⅔ cup Unsweetened plain almond milk
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients and stir until the sweetener and cinnamon are thoroughly distributed.
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In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, sweetener, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter substitute and gently mix with your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Add the milk and gently stir until just combined, forming a dough.
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Transfer the fruit mixture to a greased slow cooker using a slotted spoon to get rid of any extra juice. Evenly spread out the cobbler dough over the top of the fruit filling.
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Cover and cook the slow cooker cobbler for 3-4 hours. I like to put a layer of paper towels under the lid to prevent condensation from dripping. Check on it at the three-hour mark to see if the topping is baked through. If done, fluff with a fork and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. If the dough is still wet, continue cooking until it is thoroughly baked and the fruit mixture is bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.