Why You’ll Love These Blackberry Jam Bars:
- Low in SmartPoints: At only 3 points per bar, these are a great WW-friendly snack or dessert that won’t derail your weight loss efforts. They are sweet enough to satisfy your cravings but won’t break your daily SmartPoints budget.
- High in Fiber: Thanks to the oats and whole wheat flour, these bars are a great source of fiber, which helps keep you feeling full longer.
- Customizable: You can make these bars with your favorite fruit jam or preserves. If you prefer another fruit, raspberry, strawberry, or even peach jam would work well in place of the blackberry. Just be sure to check the sugar content in your chosen jam to keep the points low.
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe is made with pantry staples and is quick to put together. The ingredients are simple and easily customizable to fit your dietary needs, whether you want to use a sugar substitute or add extra flavoring like cinnamon or nutmeg.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips:
These Blackberry Jam Bars are perfect for meal prep. You can easily make a batch ahead of time and have a week’s worth of snacks or breakfasts ready to go. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week for added freshness. If you want to freeze them, simply wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, just thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.
Customizations:
- Sweetener Substitutes: You can adjust the sweetness by using a sugar substitute like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol. Be sure to check the conversion ratio on the package to get the correct amount of sweetness without adding extra SmartPoints.
- Fruit Options: While blackberry jam is delicious, you can swap it for other fruit jams like raspberry, strawberry, or even blueberry. Just make sure the jam is unsweetened or made with a low-calorie sweetener to keep the points in check.
- Add Texture with Nuts: For a little crunch, you could sprinkle some chopped nuts, like almonds or walnuts, on top of the jam layer before adding the crumble. Just be mindful of the added points.
- Spices: Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the oat crust for an extra layer of flavor. A dash of lemon zest can also enhance the berry flavor.
WW Blackberry Jam Bars Recipe
These Blackberry Jam Bars are delicious and easy to make. Each serving is low in SmartPoints and offers a healthy alternative to traditional fruit bars. Here’s how you can make them:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (or 1/4 cup of a WW-friendly sweetener like stevia or monk fruit)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (replaces butter/oil for moisture)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup blackberry jam (you can use store-bought, or homemade with sugar substitutes)
- Optional toppings: A sprinkle of extra oats or cinnamon for garnish (adjust WW points accordingly)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- Make the Crust:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar (or sweetener), baking soda, and salt. Stir until evenly combined.
- Add the applesauce and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.
- Press the Crust into the Pan:
- Press about two-thirds of the dough mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a crust. Use a spoon or your fingers to press it evenly.
- Add the Blackberry Jam:
- Spread the blackberry jam evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Top with Remaining Crust:
- Crumble the remaining dough over the jam layer to create a topping. It doesn’t need to be perfect—some gaps are fine. The topping will bake into the jam as it cooks.
- Bake the Bars:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the jam is bubbling. Keep an eye on them toward the end to prevent overbaking.
- Cool and Cut:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This will help them set and make them easier to cut.
- Serve:
- Once cooled, slice into 12 bars and enjoy!
Nutritional Information (per bar):
This recipe yields 12 bars. The estimated nutritional breakdown for each WW Blackberry Jam Bar is as follows:
- Calories: 120-130 kcal
- WW SmartPoints: 3 points per bar (depending on sweetener and jam used)
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 17g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Sugar: 10g (naturally occurring from the fruit and sweetener)
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 85mg
- Potassium: 140mg
