Red Velvet Dessert Bars with WW Points and Nutrition Info

These tasty WW Red Velvet Bars are simple to prepare and count as just 1 WW point per serving. Red velvet has a subtle chocolate note from the cocoa powder and a touch of tang from the vinegar, which is why cream cheese frosting complements it so well—its tanginess and creaminess balance the sweetness. The bars bake up chewy and satisfying, with a perfect balance of flavor.

Beyond flavor, their bright red color makes them visually appealing. Traditional blondies or brownies often call for oil and regular sugar, but this version is lightened for Weight Watchers: applesauce replaces oil and a zero-calorie sweetener replaces granulated sugar. These swaps let you enjoy a delicious dessert while keeping points low.

If you enjoy this recipe, explore more baking ideas in my collection of recipes which includes cakes, muffins, pies, and other treats.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

• Quick to prepare. The recipe takes under an hour from start to finish, making it a great option when you don’t have hours to bake.
• Generous yield. The recipe makes 15 bars, so it’s ideal for sharing at gatherings or for keeping on hand for snacks.
• Freezes well. Bake a batch, cut into bars, and freeze them for an easy treat whenever you want one.

Recipe Overview

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Number of Servings: 15
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• WW Points: 1 WW point per serving

Ingredients in Weight Watchers Red Velvet Bars

Red Velvet Bars

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp zero-calorie granulated sweetener (or granulated sugar)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp red food dye
• ¾ tsp distilled white vinegar

Icing (optional)

• 1.5 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 3–4 tbsp powdered zero-calorie sweetener (or powdered sugar)
• 2 tbsp milk, plus more if needed

Instructions for making Weight Watchers Red Velvet Bars

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 or 8×11 baking dish.
2. In one bowl, whisk together the sweetener and applesauce. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and any other dry ingredients, stirring to remove lumps.
3. Add the eggs, vanilla, red food dye, and vinegar to the applesauce mixture and whisk until combined. Start with less food coloring and add more until you reach the color you want.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
5. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
6. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
7. If using icing, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sweetener and milk, adding more sweetener or milk to reach your desired sweetness and consistency. Drizzle or spread the frosting over the cooled bars, then slice and serve.

Variations and Substitutions

• White chocolate chips: Stir in sugar-free or no-added-sugar white chocolate chips for a blondie-style twist.
• Cheesecake layer: For red velvet cheesecake bars, spread a thin layer of cheesecake batter over the bars before baking. Keep it thin so it bakes through.
• Oreo topping: For an indulgent version, press broken Oreo pieces onto the top after baking for added texture and flavor.
• Zero points option: Cut the bars into 18 pieces instead of 15 to reduce the WW points per serving.
• Sugar swap: Granulated sugar can be used instead of a sweetener, though that will increase the WW points—adjust in your tracking app if needed.
• Food coloring: Gel food coloring works well. Natural dyes like beetroot were not tested and may affect texture or color intensity.

Tips and Tricks for Making Weight Watchers Red Velvet Bars

• Do not overmix the batter; overworking it can make the bars dense or tough.
• Adjust the red color gradually—different brands vary in intensity.
• Bring eggs to room temperature for about 20 minutes before mixing so they blend more easily.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Unfrosted bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• Let the bars cool slightly in the pan before slicing to get clean pieces.

Related Recipes

Red Velvet Cupcakes

WW Red Velvet Banana Bread

WW Brownies