Chocolate Brownie Smoothie {Recipe ReDux}

Dear Winter,

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with you.  You see, your snow is pretty and on some days it’s nice to curl up with a good book while you whirl around outside;  that’s when I like you.  But this year, I think you’ve been going a bit too crazy.

I don’t meant to be cruel, but I’m completely done with you.  I’m done with your freezing temperatures, buckets of snow, and bleak days.  Please go away, and soon.  I do believe it’s high time for your friend, Spring, to take over.

Consider the smoothie I’m sharing today as a going-away present.  The theme for the month’s Recipe ReDux was beverages, and I thought it would be perfect to create something that reminded me of warm weather and sunshine.  I think that if you taste how good this smoothie is, you’ll realize how wonderful the warm seasons are.  Maybe then you’ll give Spring and Summer a chance to shine.

I really hope I’m right.

This smoothie I’m offering you, it’s very good.  I call it a Brownie Smoothie, and I promise you it tastes even better than it sounds.

I started by making a batch of super chocolate-y brownies.  They tasted amazing and were packed with protein, thanks to the yogurt I added to the batter.  But once the brownies were baked, I decided to do even more.  I really wanted to offer you something good, Winter. 

And good this smoothie is.

 I kept things quick and easy, using only two ingredients, if you don’t count the brownies.  This smoothie is also quite easy to customize.  I wasn’t quite sure of your favorite fruit, and I wanted to give you the chance to decide.  Spring and Summer have some lovely fruits to offer.  If mixed berries aren’t your thing, feel free to use only strawberries, raspberries, or even banana.  As for the milk, any kind you like works: non-fat, low-fat, soy, almond.

I hope you accept my peace offering, Winter.  As you sip this refreshing smoothie, please consider raising your temperatures, brightening the sky, and decreasing the amount of snow you drop of us humans.  I speak for anyone living in a cold climate when I say it would mean a lot.

Much Thanks,

A girl who is completely and totally tired of you (in the most respectful way)

Chocolate Brownie Smoothie

Brownies:

• 2 (5.3 oz) containers of Greek yogurt (300 g total) (I used vanilla flavored, but any flavor that pairs well with chocolate will work)
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup special dark cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda

Smoothie:

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries (or frozen strawberries, frozen raspberries, frozen banana, or another frozen fruit that pairs well with chocolate)
• ¾ cup milk of choice
• 1/3 cup baked brownies (from recipe above)

Preheat oven to 350F.  In the container of a high-speed blender or food processor, combine all ingredients for brownies.  Blend until mixture is completely blended and smooth.  Make sure the oats have broken down completely.  Grease an 8x8 pan (or a loaf pan, for thick brownies) with cooking spray and pour brownie mix in.  Spread into an even layer.  Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until brownies are firm.  Once fully baked, let brownies cool completely and then set aside.  Rinse blender or food processor quickly, and then measure frozen fruit and milk into the bowl.  Blend quickly, until a smoothie-like consistency is reached.  Add brownies and blend again until incorporated.  Top with crumbled brownies, if desired.  Recipe makes 1 large smoothie or 2 small ones, with leftover brownies.  You can use leftover brownies to make more smoothies or you can just eat them on their own.

   

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