Skinny Peanut Butter Brownie Parfaits

 

 

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…

 

 

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