Decadent Brownie Yogurt Pie and a Little New York City

I have been a bad girl. A bad, bad girl. These last three days I have eaten my way through New York City. I feel like I need to do a cleansing week of just raw vegetables and lots of juices.

This is the Chobani mitt that has been signed and mailed to all the food blog participants. This is Lindsey’s photo. My mitt is on the way from Lindseyso I borrowed her image. Thanks Lindsey! I can’t wait to sign mine too and send it back to Chobani.

                               
I have had my eye on this decadent and supposedly light version of a Mississippi Mud Pie. Yes, a LIGHT version. Light and DELICIOUS! It is nowhere near a Mississippi Mud Pie. It was more like a Brownie Pie, and that is why I called it that.

My friend’s mother-in-law Ann is from Georgia. She makes THE REAL super high-calorie Mississippi Mud Pie. She told me on Christmas Eve she would even give me her recipe. Ann explained that it calls for a stick of butter, lots of marshmallows, and pecans from Georgia. She made some for their family Christmas Eve party that we are always invited to and I had two tiny squares. TINY. As I felt the enamel peeling away from my teeth, I couldn’t stop thinking about getting her recipe. But since we sort of overdid it during Christmas time, I thought I’d try the lighter version and share with my friend Lauren. I will still make Ann’s version one day.

I will not be telling Ann that I made a light Mississippi Mud Pie. She would just tell me in her sweet Southern accent, “Lora, now that can’t be a REAL Mississippi Mud Pie if it is light.”

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. This Decadent Brownie Yogurt Pie is a dessert that is perfect for the ending of a romantic meal with your sweetie. Or better yet, make it your romantic meal.

Look at these other wonderful Chobani Greek Yogurt recipes by some of my friends:
Sweet Yogurt Bread from Anecdotes and Apple Cores
Blueberry Orange Yogurt Muffins from Gingerbread Bagels
Greek Yogurt Crème Brûlée from A Thought for Food

Decadent Brownie Yogurt Pie

Yield: 10 servings (serving size: 1 slice)
*I used a 7–inch pie plate.

Ingredients

Crust:

• 4.5  ounces  all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
• 2  tablespoons  sugar
• 2  tablespoons  unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 2 1/2  tablespoons  vegetable shortening
• 2  tablespoons  chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/4  cup  ice water
• Cooking spray

Filling:

• 4  tablespoons  butter
• 4  ounces  semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons Nutella
• 6 ounces low-fat Chobani Greek Yogurt
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 4  large egg whites
• 1  cup  sugar
• 1  cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/3  cup  Dutch process cocoa
• 1  teaspoon  baking powder
• Dash of salt

Preparation

1. To prepare crust, weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (about 1 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 4.5 ounces flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor; pulse 2 times or until blended. Add shortening and chilled butter; pulse 6 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. With processor on, slowly pour ice water through food chute, processing just until blended (do not allow dough to form a ball); remove from bowl. Gently press mixture into a 4-inch circle; wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350°.

3. Unwrap and place chilled dough on plastic wrap. Lightly sprinkle dough with flour; roll to a 10-inch circle. Fit dough, plastic wrap side up, into a 7-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray and parchment paper. Remove remaining plastic wrap. Fold edges under, and flute.

4. To prepare filling, place 3 tablespoons butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 30 seconds or until butter and chocolate melt, stirring well to combine. Fold the Nutella into the chocolate mixture. Place vanilla and egg whites in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until foamy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar; beat until soft peaks form (about 2 minutes). Gently fold melted chocolate mixture into egg white mixture. Gently fold in the Chobani Greek Yogurt.

4. To prepare filling, place 3 tablespoons butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 30 seconds or until butter and chocolate melt, stirring well to combine. Fold the Nutella into the chocolate mixture. Place vanilla and egg whites in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until foamy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar; beat until soft peaks form (about 2 minutes). Gently fold melted chocolate mixture into egg white mixture. Gently fold in the Chobani Greek Yogurt.

If you follow my blog, you know we just were in New York City for three days. Three AMAZING days! There was snow in many places. It was gorgeous and we really enjoyed ourselves with some great food! The kids were so excited to see all the taxi cabs and all the enourmous buildings. My son told me he wants to stay in NYC. Except when we reminded him of his “girlfriend” Alexis back home waiting for him in preschool. He quickly changed his mind.

Look at all those noodles! Jackie took this photo! My head is spinning again thinking of the flavors!

We then meandered over to Taralucci e Vino for some sweets, espresso, and hot tea and to chat some more. It was if we all knew each other for a long time. We all connected and I feel thankful to have met these wonderful friends in person.
 
Look at all those noodles! Jackie took this photo! My head is spinning again thinking of the flavors!

We then meandered over to Taralucci e Vino for some sweets, espresso, and hot tea and to chat some more. It was if we all knew each other for a long time. We all connected and I feel thankful to have met these wonderful friends in person.
 

I have so many photos to share from our trip. We spent an afternoon in Eataly! Oh my goodness! I could move there! Before Eataly, we spent a couple of hours in Central Park. I have never seen any thing as magical. All the trees bare from winter’s harsh changes. The ground blanketed in thick, white snow.
I have so many photos to share from our trip. We spent an afternoon in Eataly! Oh my goodness! I could move there! Before Eataly, we spent a couple of hours in Central Park. I have never seen any thing as magical. All the trees bare from winter’s harsh changes. The ground blanketed in thick, white snow.
The park was so peaceful. Except for the occasional sound of the hooves from the horse-drawn carriages passing by.

The park was so peaceful. Except for the occasional sound of the hooves from the horse-drawn carriages passing by.

We also heard scattered throughout the park the musicians doing what they love. When we walked by this gentleman he was playing, “My Funny Valentine”.

We also heard scattered throughout the park the musicians doing what they love. When we walked by this gentleman he was playing, “My Funny Valentine”.

Here I am at Kent State in Ohio with some of my friends that were not my neighbors at Van Campen Hall. Hair that is way too blonde. Very attractive plaid baggy shirt. Really poofy bangs. (My hubby loves to crack up at these photos of me and my poofy hair!lol) While my dorm friends would be studying hard, I would be working on my social skills.

And me in the middle of Central Park on this past Monday. Florida girl all bundled up. That is a faux-far scarf my sister-in-law loaned me so don’t get your panties in a bundle! It does look real pretty in photos though. Why wear real fur? Thank goodness she gave me some warm things to borrow for those three very cold days.

And me in the middle of Central Park on this past Monday. Florida girl all bundled up. That is a faux-far scarf my sister-in-law loaned me so don’t get your panties in a bundle! It does look real pretty in photos though. Why wear real fur? Thank goodness she gave me some warm things to borrow for those three very cold days.