Buttery Pistachio Cookie Bars

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Try these weight watchers Buttery Pistachio Cookie Bars if you’re seeking something sweet that fits into your balanced diet. They have the ideal crunch from the peanuts and are buttery, nutty, and soft. Without going overboard, each bite melts on your lips and fulfills your needs for cookies. The finest aspect? Light, tasty, and simple to prepare, these weight watchers Buttery Pistachio Cookie Bars are perfect for gatherings, meal prep, or as a midday snack with coffee.

STATS INFO:

  • Calories: 140 per bar
  • Preparation time: 15 minutes
  • Serving size: 1 bar
  • Cook time: 25 minutes
  • Cuisine: American
  • Total time: 40 minutes
  • Course: Dessert/Snack
  • Diet: WW points Friendly
  • Serving: Makes twelve bars

EQUIPMENT:

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or hand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 8×8-inch baking dish
  • Parchment paper or cooking spray
  • Oven

INGREDIENTS:

  • One cup of all-purpose flour
  • One-third cup of light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup of applesauce without sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted light margarine or buttery spread
  • Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon of optional almond extract
  • Half a teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 cup of unsalted pistachios, chopped
  • One or two tablespoons of plant-based milk

INGREDIENT NOTES:

Flour:

  • Whole wheat pastry flour adds additional fiber and a subtle texture. If you’d like, you may use all-purpose.

Applesauce:

  • Reduces the need for additional fat and serves as a natural sweetener.

Buttery spread:

  • For a milder flavor, pick a vegan-friendly, low-fat buttery replacement.

Pistachios:

  • For the greatest texture, use unsalted, shelled pistachios and roughly slice them.

Almond extract and vanilla:

  • These enhance the nutty notes and add an enjoyable, bakery-like scent.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Prepare the oven to 175°C (350°F).
  2. Use paper towels to line an 8 × 8-inch baking dish or lightly mist with a cooking oil.
  3. Mix the sugar, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Put away.
  4. Blend the applesauce, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and melted buttery spread in a separate bowl.
  5. Whisk until creamy and velvety.
  6. Stir simply to incorporate the dry and wet ingredients as you slowly mix them together.
  7. One spoonful of plant milk at a time can be added to the batter to help spray it if it seems too dry.
  8. Gently stir until the chopped peanuts are uniformly distributed after folding them in.
  9. Using a spatula to even out the surface, pour the batter into the baking dish.
  10. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean after 22 to 25 minutes of baking, or until the sides are moderately brown.
  11. After 10 minutes of cooling in the pan, remove with a sheet of parchment.
  12. Allow to cool fully on a wire rack.
  13. Enjoy after cutting into 12 bars!

TIPS:

  • Before baking, top with chopped pistachios or a little sea salt for added crunch.
  • As the flavors settle, these bars taste even better the next day.
  • For variety, add some dried fruit or small chocolate chips, but keep WW points in mind.
  • They can be frozen for a sharper flavor or stored at room temperature for a softer texture.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

Fridge:

  • Bars should be stored in a sealed, airtight box. Keep in the pantry for up to five days. When cooled, they maintain their shape well.

FREEZER:

  • Put each bar in a freezer-safe bag after wrapping it in aluminum or plastic. They can last up to two months. Warm gently in the oven or thaw at room temperature.

FAQs:

Is it possible to make these gluten-free?

  • Indeed! Instead of using wheat flour 1:1, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Can I cut back on the sugar?

  • The bars will taste less sweet if you reduce the sugar to 1/4 cup. It’s automatically sweet thanks to applesauce.

What happens if I don’t have applesauce?

  • If you’re not fully vegan, you can substitute low-fat Greek yogurt or mashed banana, but the flavor will be a little different.

Is it feasible to double the recipe?

  • Of course, extend the baking time by five to ten minutes. And use a 9 x 13-inch pan.

Is roasting pistachios necessary?

  • No, both raw and roasted are effective. Just to improve flavor control, make sure they aren’t salted.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 140
Carbs(total): 18g
Vitamin A: 80 IU
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Serving size: 1 bar
Sodium: 85mg
Serving: 12 bars