Deliciously Light Weight Watchers Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches (Just 3 Points!)

As a child, the arrival of the ice cream truck was a momentous occasion. While I always harbored intentions of exploring new flavors, my loyalty consistently returned to the classic ice cream sandwich. Its reliably delicious taste and ultimate satisfaction were simply unmatched. However, as an adult navigating the Weight Watchers program, indulging in a traditional ice cream sandwich often means consuming a significant portion of daily points. This dilemma sparked the creation of a healthier, equally satisfying alternative that allows you to enjoy a beloved treat without compromising your wellness goals.

Introducing these delightful Weight Watchers Friendly Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches. This skinny treat is the quintessential summer indulgence, weighing in at only 3 WW points per serving on my plan. The inspiration for this recipe initially stemmed from my popular Rocky Road Froyo Bark, evolving into an even more accessible and universally appealing frozen dessert. It’s perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings on a warm day, proving that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or enjoyment.

Before developing this recipe, I had never ventured into making homemade ice cream sandwiches. The experience was truly eye-opening! I often wonder why I didn’t discover this healthy, Weight Watchers-compliant version, featuring homemade chocolate frozen yogurt, years ago. The process is incredibly simple, and the results are profoundly satisfying, expertly curbing both chocolate and frozen dessert cravings. If you’re seeking an effortless path to a delicious ice cream sandwich, this recipe is undoubtedly your go-to guide.

Cherries hold a special place in my heart; they are unequivocally my favorite fruit. The long-anticipated cherry season is finally here, and I’m celebrating by bringing together my ultimate flavor combination: rich chocolate and vibrant cherries. These delectable ingredients are lovingly nestled between layers of more chocolate, just as they were always meant to be. This Black Forest twist elevates the classic ice cream sandwich into a sophisticated yet guilt-free pleasure, perfect for any occasion.

🥘 Ingredients for Your Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches

Crafting these delectable Weight Watchers Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches requires just a few simple ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of flavor and texture, all while keeping the recipe light and Weight Watchers friendly. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chocolate Graham Wafers: These form the delightful chocolatey crust of your sandwiches. Their crisp texture provides a wonderful contrast to the creamy filling, and their inherent chocolate flavor is essential for the Black Forest profile. If chocolate graham crackers are hard to find, see the substitutions section below for alternatives.
• Fresh Cherries: The star of the Black Forest flavor, fresh cherries bring a burst of sweet-tart juiciness. Make sure they are pitted, de-stemmed, and finely chopped to integrate beautifully into the frozen yogurt filling. Using fresh, in-season cherries will give you the best flavor, but frozen or even drained canned cherries can work in a pinch.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These add pockets of intense chocolate flavor and a pleasant textural contrast to the smooth yogurt. You can use regular-sized chips or mini chocolate chips if you prefer a more evenly distributed chocolate presence. The semi-sweet variety balances the sweetness of the yogurt and cherries perfectly.
• Homemade Chocolate Yogurt: The creamy, low-point base for our ice cream sandwiches. Making your own ensures you control the ingredients and keep it Weight Watchers compliant. This homemade version offers a rich chocolate flavor with a smooth, luxurious texture once frozen. Using yogurt instead of traditional ice cream significantly lowers the fat and calorie content, making this dessert a smart choice.

*Please refer to the recipe card further down for exact quantities and measurements.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Low-Point Black Forest Delights

Making these Weight Watchers Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps to create a batch of refreshing, guilt-free treats that are perfect for any summer day.

1. Prepare Your Chocolate Yogurt: Begin by preparing your homemade chocolate yogurt according to its specific directions. This forms the creamy, flavorful base of your ice cream sandwiches. While you don’t need to freeze it separately beforehand, having it ready ensures a smooth assembly process.
2. Cherry Preparation: Next, take your fresh cherries. Carefully pit each cherry, remove the stems, and then chop them into small, even pieces. Set the chopped cherries aside; they will be folded into the yogurt mixture later, providing that signature Black Forest fruitiness.
3. Layer the Base: Line the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking pan with chocolate graham wafers. You’ll use approximately 4 ½ crackers for this bottom layer. Don’t worry if the crackers break; the goal is to cover the entire base of the pan as evenly as possible. The broken pieces will still create a cohesive layer once frozen. Reserve the remaining 4 ½ crackers for the top layer.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the prepared chopped cherries into your homemade chocolate yogurt. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and the cherries and chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the creamy yogurt.
5. Add the Filling: Carefully spoon the chocolate yogurt mixture over the chocolate graham cracker base in the pan. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly from edge to edge, ensuring a consistent thickness. Once spread, gently bang the pan on your counter a couple of times. This helps to eliminate any air bubbles and further level the yogurt mixture, creating a smooth surface.
6. Top Layer: Place the remaining chocolate graham crackers over the yogurt mixture, forming the top layer of your sandwiches. Similar to the bottom layer, it’s perfectly fine if these crackers break into pieces. The key is to cover the yogurt completely, as these crackers will define the top of each individual sandwich once cut. Ensure the top is relatively flat so the sandwiches are easy to cut.
7. Freeze to Perfection: Transfer the pan to your freezer. Allow the ice cream sandwich mixture to freeze for a minimum of 8 hours, or ideally overnight, until it is completely solid. This extended freezing time ensures the sandwiches hold their shape beautifully when cut.

4. Smooth the Mixture: After preparing the yogurt mixture, spread it evenly over the chocolate graham crackers in the pan. For a perfectly flat surface, gently tap the pan a couple of times on your kitchen counter to help level the mixture and release any trapped air.
5. Add the Top Layer: Place the remaining graham crackers on top of the chocolate yogurt mixture. Again, the exact size of the pieces isn’t critical, as long as they cover the entire surface, ensuring each future sandwich has a top and bottom layer. These will be cut into 9 squares later, so aim for coverage that allows for this.
6. Final Freeze: Return the pan to the freezer for a minimum of 8 hours, or until the entire slab is completely solid. This crucial step ensures the sandwiches can be cut cleanly and hold their shape once portioned.

7. Release from Pan: Once fully frozen, use a butter knife or spatula to gently loosen the edges of the frozen slab from the pan.
8. Remove and Transfer: Carefully lift the entire frozen block out of the pan. It should come out quite easily in one piece. Transfer it to a cutting board.
9. Cut into Portions: First, cut the large slab into four equal pieces. Then, further divide these pieces to create a total of nine individual ice cream sandwiches. This method ensures uniform portions.

I’ll be honest, my fondness for frozen yogurt rivals, if not surpasses, my love for traditional ice cream. So, incorporating frozen yogurt into this recipe feels less like a sacrifice and more like a delightful upgrade! This Black Forest creation was a natural extension of my popular homemade chocolate yogurt recipe. What makes this skinny ice cream bar recipe truly exceptional is its remarkable speed and simplicity. There’s no need for a multi-stage freezing process; you simply spread the chocolate yogurt mixture directly into the pan to freeze, then effortlessly cut it into perfectly portioned sandwiches once solid.

One of my perennial challenges, however, is the procurement and rationing of chocolate graham crackers. Living in Canada, I’ve found them difficult to source locally, prompting me to stock up whenever I visit the US during the summer months. These precious crackers are then carefully rationed throughout the year! Fortunately, in moments of extreme craving, they can be ordered online (check the link in the recipe card for options). Regardless of how you acquire them, they are a phenomenal way to satisfy your chocolate cravings while adhering to the Weight Watchers program, providing a rich, cocoa-infused crunch that perfectly complements the creamy filling.

📖 Variations & Substitutions for Your Ice Cream Sandwiches

While the Black Forest combination of chocolate and cherry is a classic, this recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for easy adaptations to suit various dietary needs or personal preferences. Don’t let a lack of specific ingredients deter you from enjoying these fantastic frozen treats!

• Dairy-Free Delight: For those following a dairy-free diet, simply swap the regular homemade chocolate yogurt for a cultured coconut yogurt alternative. Ensure you choose a plain, unsweetened variety and flavor it with cocoa powder and a natural sweetener to create your own dairy-free chocolate yogurt. The creamy texture of coconut yogurt makes it an excellent substitute that freezes beautifully.
• Cherry Alternatives: If fresh cherries are out of season or unavailable, you still have options! Canned cherries (ensure they are well-drained to avoid excess moisture) can be used. Alternatively, frozen cherries work wonderfully; simply thaw them slightly and pat them dry before chopping and adding to the mixture. While the flavor might vary slightly, you’ll still achieve that delightful fruitiness.
• Graham Cracker Customization: Can’t find chocolate graham crackers? No problem! Regular graham crackers can be used instead. To maintain a chocolatey crunch, you could lightly dust them with cocoa powder before layering or even drizzle them with a thin layer of melted chocolate (accounting for extra points if on Weight Watchers) before assembling the sandwiches. This simple swap allows you to enjoy the same satisfying texture with a slight flavor adjustment.
• Beyond Black Forest: Feel free to experiment with other fruits! Raspberries or blueberries could create equally delicious and low-point frozen yogurt sandwiches, offering a completely different flavor profile while still being healthy and refreshing.

Summertime is synonymous with indulging in cool, refreshing frozen desserts. And just because you’re committed to the Weight Watchers program doesn’t mean you should feel deprived of these seasonal delights! Your sweet tooth isn’t going to disappear, so it’s about finding smart, delicious alternatives. In fact, my Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bark is one of the most popular Weight Watchers frozen dessert recipes on this very blog, proving that healthy choices can be incredibly satisfying and widely loved. These Black Forest ice cream sandwiches fit perfectly into that philosophy, offering rich flavor and a comforting texture without the heavy calorie count.

👪 Serving Size & Adjusting the Recipe

This recipe is designed to yield 9 perfectly portioned Weight Watchers Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches, making it ideal for sharing or for mindful portion control throughout the week. Should you wish to scale the recipe, whether to half, double, or even triple the quantity, it’s incredibly easy to do. Simply click on the blue serving number located in the recipe card below and select your desired number of servings. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust to match your selection. Just be mindful that for larger batches, you may require additional 8×8 inch square pans to accommodate the increased volume.

🔢 Understanding the WW Points

One of the most appealing aspects of this low-point ice cream sandwich recipe is its incredible value on the Weight Watchers program. Each serving comes in at just 3 Weight Watchers points on my personal plan, offering a truly decadent-feeling snack without the guilt. The judicious use of homemade chocolate frozen yogurt and fresh fruit contributes significantly to this low point count, making it a smart choice for those managing their intake. While 3 points is the estimate on my plan, I always recommend plugging the recipe into the official Weight Watchers recipe builder on your app. This ensures you get the most accurate point value tailored to your specific plan and any individualized adjustments, so you can enjoy these treats with complete confidence.

🍽 Essential Equipment for This Recipe

You’ll be pleased to know that making these homemade Weight Watchers Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches doesn’t require any fancy or specialized kitchen gadgets. The equipment list is quite basic, making this recipe accessible to nearly everyone. You will need the usual kitchen essentials:

• Mixing Bowls: For combining your chocolate yogurt with cherries and chocolate chips.
• Spoons and Spatulas: To stir the mixture and spread it evenly in the pan.
• An 8×8 Inch Baking Pan: This is crucial for shaping your ice cream sandwiches into a uniform block before cutting. A metal pan is recommended for optimal freezing.

The simplicity of the required tools further emphasizes how easy and straightforward this delicious recipe is to prepare, allowing you to focus on the enjoyment of creating a healthy, satisfying dessert.

🌡️ Storage Tips for Your Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and deliciousness of your homemade Weight Watchers Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches. Once the sandwiches are cut into individual portions, transfer them to an airtight container. Layer them carefully, ideally with a piece of parchment paper between each sandwich to prevent sticking. Stored this way in the freezer, these delightful treats will maintain their quality for up to 6 months. This long storage life makes them an excellent option for meal prepping healthy desserts, allowing you to always have a low-point, satisfying snack on hand whenever a craving strikes.

Summer, with its long, sunny days, is notoriously fleeting, and with it, the peak of cherry season passes even quicker. This makes these Weight Watchers ice cream sandwiches an absolute must-make! I wholeheartedly encourage you to prepare as many batches as you can. Not only are they incredibly enjoyable during the warmer months, but they also store exceptionally well in the freezer. Keep them in a sealed, airtight container or a good quality freezer bag, and they’ll remain fresh and delicious for up to 6 months. So, don’t hesitate to stock up and savor the delightful combination of chocolate and cherry all year long!

If you’re seeking cool, refreshing, and Weight Watchers-friendly desserts this summer, or simply on the hunt for innovative WW Ice Cream Sandwich Recipes, then this Black Forest delight is guaranteed to become a new favorite. It’s the perfect blend of indulgence and mindful eating!

⭐ Reviews & Engagement

Did you try this irresistible recipe? Please take a moment to RATE THE RECIPE below by leaving a star rating and sharing your thoughts in a comment! Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps others discover delicious, healthy recipes.

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🍦 More Weight Watchers Frozen Desserts You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of these Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwiches and are looking for more delicious, low-point frozen treats to enjoy on your Weight Watchers journey, you’re in luck! Explore some of my other popular recipes designed to satisfy your sweet cravings without derailing your progress:

• Strawberry Drumstick Frozen Yogurt Cups: A nostalgic treat reimagined into a healthy, vibrant dessert.
• Skinny Miami Vice Frozen Cheesecake: Indulge in tropical flavors with this light and creamy cheesecake.
• Sugar-free Fruit Popsicles: Simple, refreshing, and bursting with natural fruit flavor.
• Coconut Lime Nice Cream: A dairy-free, vegan option that’s incredibly creamy and zesty.