Tuesday evening, with an overflowing clothes hamper and a rapidly dwindling sock supply, I sorted out my lights and darks before hauling one set to the garage. I dumped soap into the washer, twisted the knob, and returned half an hour later to transfer my soaking wet clothes to the drier. However, with a huge fear of shrinking shirts to doll-size proportions, I always pull those out after the first 5 minutes have knocked out most of the wrinkles and slide them onto hangers to air dry.
Two months ago, I tugged open the drier door to do my usual routine, but its insides refused to stop spinning! It was almost like a coordination game: can Amy pluck out all of her shirts without accidentally grabbing the pants and PJs?
My guy and I eventually determined that the problem occurred because the teensy tiny black mechanism that registered whether the door was shut ripped loose from its latch. If you slightly touched it, the mechanism would lock back into place and the drier would stop spinning.
So on Tuesday, I gently brushed it and…
It disappeared.
Whether it was sucked back into the drier or landed on the floor, I don’t know. (Although since both my guy and I scoured the ground, I kind of doubt the latter.) But now our 30+-year-old drier won’t turn on, and despite the rental office promising to send over their fix-it guy 3 days ago, I’m still waiting to wash my load of whites.
Not exactly a fun surprise… And I definitely need to buy more socks tonight.
But these Peanut Butter Brownie Parfaits are a much sweeter surprise! Dark chocolate brownie chunks sandwiched between sweet layers of creamy peanut-flavored yogurt and finished with a sophisticated peanut butter drizzle… These easy treats will blow your socks off (well, if you have any clean ones on!), and not just from their decadent taste. They’re secretly skinny, low-calorie and entirely clean-eating friendly too!
Two recipes in Glory’s cookbook inspired these layered desserts. She whipped up a big batch of both her caramel brownie trifles and peanut butter mouse with chocolate cookie crumble (as well as a few other recipes—all incredible!) for her book signing 2 months ago. With the two treats sitting right next to each other on her dessert table, I needed to sample both to support her, of course.
My memory then mashed them together to create my lightened version of today’s parfait! These ones are packed with protein and made with entirely wholesome ingredients. Even better, they’re ready in less than 20 minutes—from start to finish!
Let’s begin with the brownie. It’s rich, fudgy and made in the microwave! Make sure you cook it on 40% power to ensure it stays moist and prevent it from drying out. Feeling indulgent? Add a few miniature chocolate chips! Or chop up some peanut butter chips—or miniature peanut butter cups—to mix into the batter instead. The possibilities are endless!
The creamy peanut butter layer is made from Greek yogurt. Mix in regular peanut butter, powdered peanut butter, and sweetener to taste. Powdered peanut butter contains less fat and calories than creamy peanut butter, so it helps keep these skinny without sacrificing the flavor! I love the brand PB2 and always stash an extra jar in my pantry. (With the extra, you can make this, these, these, or these!)
Save 1 teaspoon of regular peanut butter to drizzle on top. It adds a sophisticated touch and a big punch of peanutty flavor! If you’re running short on time or prefer a more pronounced peanut butter taste in the yogurt, mix it into those layers instead.
To make this easy recipe even simpler, you can whip up each component up to 2 days in advance! Store the brownie in an airtight container on the counter, but cover and chill the peanut butter yogurt. Then all you have to do is assemble and eat whenever your craving hits!
With their light layers punctuated with fudgy chocolaty chunks, these Peanut Butter Brownie Parfaits taste as elegant as they look! In spite of their decadent flavor, these sweet treats won’t pack on the pounds or derail your diet. They’re under 200 calories each, the perfect summertime—or anytime—dessert!
For serious chocolate and peanut butter lovers…
These decadent layered desserts come together in less than 20 minutes! They’re full of sweet peanut buttery flavor and fudgy dark chocolate brownie chunks—reminiscent of peanut butter cup candy. Prepare each component up to 2 days in advance, and assemble just before serving.
- To prepare the brownie, lightly coat a 1-cup ramekin with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside. Whisk together the cocoa powder and flour in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the water, Greek yogurt, agave, and vanilla. Add in the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Spread into the prepared ramekin, and microwave on 40% power for 2 minutes 15 seconds (2:15). Let it cool completely before slicing into cubes.
- While the brownie cooks and cools, prepare the yogurt. Stir together the yogurt, 2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter, powdered peanut butter, and Truvia.
- Spread ¼ cup of the peanut butter yogurt into the bottom of 2 small glass ramekins. Top with most of the brownie chunks. Spread the remaining peanut butter yogurt on top, and sprinkle with the remaining brownie chunks.
- Add the remaining 1 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter to a small zip-topped bag, and microwave on HIGH for 20-30 seconds, or until slightly melted. Snip off one corner, and drizzle the top of each parfait with the melted peanut butter.
Notes: Vanilla Greek yogurt may be substituted for the 1 cup plain Greek yogurt + 1 ¼ teaspoons of Truvia. If you have leftover brownies, you may use those in place of the single-serving brownie as well. However, the Nutrition Information will most likely change.
I love that these use Greek yogurt, and they look so darn delicious!! Definitely need to try these out, they sound amazing, especially for a PB-aholic like me 🙂
Thanks Rachel! I’m addicted to PB too. I eat it straight from the jar with a spoon at least once a day!
Amy, you had me at peanut butter and brownie! I love how quick this is to throw together and that you can make this in the microwave! Pinned!
Thanks so much for the pin Gayle! You’re incredibly sweet to pin so many of my recipes. I can’t thank you enough! 🙂 PB and brownies are two of my favorite things in the whole world. You can never go wrong pairing the two together!
No way!! I love how easy the brownie is – and that is only serves two! OK, that pb drizzle is my favorite part, too 🙂 Double thumbs up combing the all time favorite (PB and chocolate) into a clean and healthy dessert!
Thanks Mary Frances! I tried to save the PB drizzle to eat last… I looked pretty crazy eating all the brownie bits and yogurt around the sides of the ramekin first! 😉 If I’m just eating the brownie, I never share it. It’s so rich and fudgy (which my guy hates, thank goodness) and the perfect size for one!
Oh my gosh those look amazing! Peanut butter and brownies really are soul mates. Love the use of Greek yogurt, since it has nearly the same texture as mousse.
Thank you! You’re right; Greek yogurt is a lifesaver when it comes to making healthier desserts. Especially with chocolate and PB! 😉
Oh no!! That dryer issue sounds like a nightmare!! It’s never fun when things break… Hope it gets repaired sooner rather than later!
Thanks sweetie! I hope so too. With the rental office’s maintenance history, it’ll probably be closer to 3 weeks before they can fit us in though. Boo!
Like all the others I also like the use of greek yogurt. But would it work with plain yogurt? Did you ever try it with plain yogurt?
And also very very nice pictures (pinned). TNX for the recipe!
Thanks! I haven’t tried it with plain yogurt, but that would still work. I just prefer Greek yogurt because it’s thicker and contains a lot more protein per serving! 🙂
Hi Amy, tnx for this info. I am looking forward to doing this recipe.
You’re welcome! I really hope you enjoy it. 🙂
I love these!!! Skinny + pb + brownie is the best ever.
Thanks Dorothy! With how much I love both of those, you know I need to make them skinny. Otherwise I’d be the size of Violet the Blueberry in Willy Wonka! 😉
Oh swoon!! These look incredible! Especially with that pb drizzle! 😉 Pinned!
Thank you so much Jocelyn! You’re so sweet to pin my recipes. I really, really appreciate it! 🙂