WW Mediterranean Custard Butter Bars

by

The WW Mediterranean Custard Butter Bars are delicious and a light dessert that you can prepare in only 45 minutes. This recipe provides you with a lighter substitute for the classic butter bars. They also give a texture that melts in your mouth. The WW Mediterranean Custard Butter Bars use a touch of olive oil, reduced-fat yogurt, and low-fat cream cheese to lower the calories and WW points, which makes it a good substitute recipe over the traditional custard bars that use heavy cream and butter. These bars are tender, soft, and light, whereas the custard layer provides a silky texture. Have these cold custard bars on a warm day, for teatime or for a sweet treat for gatherings. It also contains Mediterranean flavors.

STATS:

  • Caloric count: 162 kcal
  • Serving size: 1 square bar
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
  • Prep duration: Fifteen minutes
  • Total time: 45 minutes
  • Course: Dessert
  • Diet: Weight Watchers
  • Serving: 12 bars

EQUIPMENT:

  • Cooking spray
  • Baking parchment
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Electric hand mixer (optional)
  • Rubber spatula
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowls
  • 8×8-inch baking pan

INGREDIENTS:

BASE:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup softened light butter
  • 1 large egg
  • Two tablespoons olive oil (extra-virgin)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar substitute
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cooking spray

MEDITERRANEAN CUSTARD LAYER:

  • ¾ cup Greek yogurt (nonfat)
  • 4 oz low-fat softened cream cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup sugar substitute
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp orange zest (optional)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

INGREDIENT NOTES:

ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR:

  • We use this flour to provide a structure to the bar’s crust. Oat flour is a substitute option.

ALMOND FLOUR:

  • Almond flour not only provides tenderness to the custard bars but also includes a Mediterranean flavor. For an alternative option, you can make use of more all-purpose flour.

LIGHT BUTTER:

  • While still keeping the tasty buttery flavor, it helps in reducing calories and also WW points. The alternative option includes an additional 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

OLIVE OIL:

  • Olive oil is useful for adding moisture to the custard bars. Avocado oil is an option for a substitute.

NONFAT GREEK YOGURT:

  • It consists of protein, and it is a good replacement for heavy cream in the custard. You can utilize plain yogurt, which is low in fat.

LOW-FAT CREAM CHEESE:

  • This cream cheese does not add any extra amount of fats and also provides a creamy element in the custard. Alternatives include fat-free cream cheese.

CORNSTARCH:

  • Cornstarch is a useful ingredient in setting the custard. For a substitute option, you may utilize arrowroot powder.

SUGAR SUBSTITUTE:

  • This is useful in keeping calories low while still maintaining sweetness. Calories and WW points will increase if you utilize cane sugar or coconut sugar as alternatives.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. At 175°C, warm up your oven.
  2. Place parchment over the pan.
  3. Spray a light amount of cooking spray.
  4. To make the base, mix sugar substitute, olive oil, and light butter together in a bowl.
  5. Include vanilla essence, egg, and whisk.
  6. Now mix in lemon zest, salt, almond flour, and all-purpose flour.
  7. After mixing, spread it over the pan evenly with the use of a spatula.
  8. Bake the base for 10 to 12 minutes, till the edges become golden.
  9. Prepare the custard by whisking sugar substitute, cream cheese, and nonfat Greek yogurt.
  10. Include the eggs and mix till you make it’s creamy.
  11. Lastly, add cornstarch, zest, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
  12. Keep whisking till it is smooth.
  13. Pour the custard mix over the warm baked crust.
  14. Then bake for 20 to 25 minutes till the center settles but is still a bit jiggly.
  15. Cool it entirely.
  16. Before cutting it into 12 bars, chill for about two hours.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

  • Have these tasty custard bars with mint tea.
  • You can consider dusting powdered sugar on top or even adding fresh berries as well.

TIPS:

  • If you want your custard bars to become firmer, you can consider chilling them for a night.
  • Since the custard will become firm as it cools down, do not overbake.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

  • For about five days, you can store these custard bars in a tight container.

FREEZER:

  • You can consider freezing the bars individually using parchment paper for 2 months. To thaw, place them in the fridge.

FAQs:

What will happen if I substitute Greek yogurt for regular yogurt?

  • You can consider doing that, but it will make the custard bars a bit soft.

Why are we including olive oil in a dessert recipe?

  • This is because Mediterranean cuisine makes use of olive oil in pastries, which adds moisture to them.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 162 kcal

Net carbs: 17 grams

Iron: 1.1 milligrams

Total carbs: 21 grams

Vitamin A: 295 IU

Fiber: 4 grams

Calcium: 98 milligrams

Protein: 7 grams

Serving size: 1 square bar

Sodium: 123 milligrams

Serving: 12 bars

Potassium: 112 milligrams

Weight Watcher Points: 5-6 points