WW Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (2024)

Published · Last updated · By Martha McKinnon · 13 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Weight Watchers Recipe of the Day: Low Fat Cranberry Bars

The inspiration for these low fat cranberry bars comes from my friend, Alisa. Homemade cranberry bars are one of the highlights of her Mary Kay Holiday Open House. Instead of using her recipe, which made a large batch, I decided to try to make a version that would be smaller, lower in fat and calories but every bit as delicious.

WW Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (1)

WW Friendly Low-Fat Cranberry Bars

Skinny on Low Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe

Baking from scratch doesn't get much simpler than this low-fat cranberry bars recipe. All you need are a few basic ingredients and a bowl. I used a whisk and lots of elbow grease to mix them, but you could always use an electric mixer (affiliate link) if you prefer.

Moist, delicious, and not too sweet, they're a nice change from fancier cookies and bars that require a lot more work.

WW Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (2)

Fresh Whole Cranberries

I think they're even better a day or two after baking, so they're a great choice for making ahead and sharing with friends. They're so yummy I've stashed a couple bags of cranberries in the freezer so I can make them again later this winter. I was able to shave a few calories and a point by cutting back a bit on the sugar, butter and walnuts.

WW Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (3)

Plate of low fat cranberry bars

How Many Calories/WW Points in these Low Calorie Cranberry Bars?

According to my calculations each bar has 122 calories and:

5 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
3 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

You could cut the calories and SmartPoints further by substituting your favorite non-calorie or low-calorie sweetener such as Splenda or Truvia (affiliate link). And try unsweetened applesauce instead of the butter.

If you like these easy cranberry nut bars, be sure to check out some of my other Weight Watchers friendly recipes including Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cake, Crock Pot Cranberry Nut Bread, Cranberry White Chocolate Crock Pot Cookie Bars, Low-Fat Cranberry Walnut Rugalach and Low-Fat Mini Cranberry Nut Bread Loaves

Kitchen Tools I Used to Make this Recipe:

Are You Ready To Firmly Plant YourselfOn The Path To Lasting Weight Loss Success?

If you've made these Cranberry Walnut Bars, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

WW Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (4)

Save Recipe Pin Recipe Print Recipe Rate Recipe

4.30 from 17 votes

Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe

Simple and delicious, these low-fat cranberry bars are a new Holiday favorite!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time50 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings (adjustable): 16

Calories: 122

Author: Martha McKinnon | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-¼ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray and set it aside.

  • In medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs until thick, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the sugar and beat until creamy and well blended.

  • Stir in the flour and butter and vanilla just until blended.

  • Stir in the cranberries and walnuts.

  • Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.

  • Bake until set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes.

  • Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

  • Cut into 16 bars.

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cranberry bar

Click here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.

5 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
3 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 cranberry bar)

Calories 122Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Carbohydrates 19g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 2g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cranberry dessert bars, cranberry squares, holiday cranberry bars

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

Source: Ocean Spray

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

Watch how to make your own no-bake cranberry oat bars at home:

Related WW Recipes:

WW Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (5)Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.

A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.

She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.

A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.

More about Martha McKinnon

This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!

Subscribe to Get: Top 10 Reader Favorite Recipes

The Top 10 Most Popular Recipes (PDF) on Simple Nourished Living + Weekly Support Emails with Tips & Easy Healthy Recipes Not Found Anywhere Else!

WW Low-Fat Cranberry Bars Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat cranberries? ›

Fresh, raw cranberries can add a pleasant bite and burst of color to any dish. You can eat them whole like blueberries, toss them into a salad, add them to oatmeal, or blend them into a smoothie. If they're too tart for you, you can chop them and add a little sugar or any other sweetener.

How many cranberries should I eat a day? ›

HOW MUCH CRANBERRIES TO EAT DAILY? Studies confirming the health-promoting properties of cranberries have typically used doses of 100-300 g of fresh cranberries, equivalent to 7-10 g of dried cranberries, and 100-150 ml of 100% cranberry juice.

Is cranberry sauce good for you? ›

Health Benefits

Cranberries are also rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as the metabolism-boosting mineral manganese. And yes, you reap all these benefits whether the cranberry sauce on your holiday table is homemade or canned, jellied or whole-berry.

How long do fresh cranberries last? ›

How Long Fresh Cranberries Will Last. If stored correctly, fresh cranberries will last in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. If you opted to freeze them, they'll keep well for up to a year. When frozen, you can use them straight from the freezer without defrosting.

Which is healthier cranberries or blueberries? ›

The cranberry is also a contender when it comes to antioxidant content. While wild blueberries outperform them when it comes to measuring both antioxidant capacity and cellular antioxidant activity, cranberries pack their own health punch.

Is cranberry an anti-inflammatory? ›

Cranberries have anti-inflammatory effects, thanks to their high amounts of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins and flavanols, which give cranberries their dark hue. “Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases because they can help lower inflammation in our bodies,” says O'Neill.

Are ocean spray cranberries good for you? ›

Ocean Spray® Light Cranberry Juice co*cktail serves up the unique health benefits of cranberry, with 2/3 fewer calories and carbs than most juices and alcoholic drinks. Drink to your health Hydrating is important no matter what time of year.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

Are cranberries healthier raw or cooked? ›

Rich with antioxidants and high in fibre, cranberries have serious health benefits including promoting digestion and helping control blood sugar. But before you load up on extra cranberry sauce over Thanksgiving, it's important to note that raw cranberries are the most nutritious variation of the fruit.

Do cranberries raise blood sugar? ›

One study published in Food and Function found that adding whole cranberries to a high-fat meal may improve postprandial blood glucose levels (AKA how high your blood sugar get after a meal). A food like cranberry sauce is traditionally made with ingredients including real cranberries, sugar and spices.

Do cranberries help lower cholesterol? ›

Anthocyanins in cranberry juice may help reduce hardening of the arteries. Several studies also show that cranberry juice may help reduce the chance of heart disease by improving cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure.

Is cranberry sauce good for your bowels? ›

The secret sauce for regularity

When added to a diet rich in fiber, cranberry sauce can help relieve constipation.

Can you freeze a bag of fresh cranberries? ›

Place plastic bags of cranberries directly in the freezer for up to twelve months and use without thawing—just run cold water over them to rinse before using. Because some bruised and soft berries and some stems and leaves are often in the bags, you might prefer to sort and wash the berries before freezing them.

Are frozen cranberries as good as fresh? ›

Yes! Fresh cranberries freeze for up to a year and can often be substituted in recipes that call for fresh cranberries. When cooking with frozen cranberries, do not thaw before using.

What happens if you don't refrigerate cranberries? ›

Refrigerator. Cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator up to three (3) months if they are kept in their original plastic packaging or in an airtight, sealed container. Left in the open air, at room temperature, cranberries quickly lose their freshness.

How to eat cranberries without adding sugar? ›

To enhance the flavor of fresh cranberries without adding sugar, you can add ingredients such as orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla extract, cardamom, or a squeeze of lemon juice. These additions can balance the tartness and add depth to the dish.

Are dried cranberries as healthy as fresh? ›

Both forms of cranberries will offer you the same nutritional benefits and medicinal value. However, dried ones are high in carbs, calories, and sugar than fresh ones, but they still contain most of the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fresh ones.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5835

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.