Weight Watcher Fruit Muffins - Sweet treats for my point counting friends

It is the end of January already but it seems like the New Year's Resolution "I'm going on a diet phase" is still in full swing. This year I seem to be surrounded by the Weight Watchers program with the point system. Everyone at work and even my family is doing it. Now don't get me wrong, I think any program that has people watching portion control and the types of food they eat is great. I am also a big fan that instead of generic supermarket cakes for birthday celebrations at work we have been having yummy fresh fruit bowls. But seriously, I can only take so many point conversations. If I wanted to talk about points I would be discussing sports (which is not really another popular topic for me). But in a good will gesture I would like to share these Weight Watcher Fruit muffin recipes for all my point counting friends. With names like Glazed Pear muffin and Cherry-Glazed Chocolate muffins, all my fat loving friends will even be impressed. Just remember your points and don't try to eat the whole batch. You will be eating only lettuce (0 points) for the rest of the week. Enjoy!

Spilt Seconds - aka Jelly Cookies

One good thing about a New Hampshire snow storm is that it gives you plenty of time to browse through your old cookbooks and bake since you really can't go any where. That was the case today. So I stated looking (and drooling) and came across this cookie recipe from "The Best from 50 Years of Bake-Off Contents" from Pillsbury. I had all the ingredients, which was a must since I was not going out at all. The bonus was it called for a jelly middle and I just happened to have a jar of homemade peach jelly in my fridge that I got over the holidays Don't get me wrong, I love homemade jelly and I love getting it as a present but a whole jar can last me a long time so I was happy to put it to good baking use. The cookies came out good, too good in fact as I ate over my daily cookie limit. But at least I will burn it off with all my snow shoveling. Enjoy!

Spilt Seconds

2/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup jelly or jam

In large bowl, combine sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; blend well. Add flour and baking powder; mix well. Divide dough into 4 parts. On a floured surface shape each part into 12x 3/4 inch roil and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Using the wooden handle of a spoon, make depression about 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 inch deep lengthwise down the center of each roll. Fill each roll with 2 tablespoons of jelly. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until light golden brown. Cool slightly. Cut each baked roll diagonally into about 12 cookies. Cool on wire racks.

Baker Babe trims down - Sugar-free Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Of course like everyone else Baker Babe has decided to lose those holiday pounds and get back on the health wagon. So sadly I haven't been baking like I used to and have turned my attention to becoming a Salad Slut. You know, one who partakes in too much salad. This week I had at least 3 which is a record for me. If you are a Salad Slut too, try this website for some good-for-you salad recipes. If salad isn't your thing don't worry my faithful readers, staying on the health wagon usually only lasts a week for me so I should be back to normal baking in no time. In fact this weekend I am baking up some treats for two work events this week. I am doing my standard sugar cookies and to be nice to myself and others who are trying hard I am making these Sugar-free Oatmeal Cranberry cookies. Since 1 cookie equals 30 minutes on the treadmill and I have already "taste tested" 2, I better get running!