Honey-Brownie Pie

I know you have all heard me gush about how much I love my job as a nurse in a rural North Georgia hospital, and how grateful I feel to be able to look forward to going to work every day! Regardless, though, sometimes life shifts you in unexpected directions... Despite the best intentions of my doctors my hip remains a mystery and continues to get steadily worse, the hospital won't allow me to continue working in my temporary position in the operating room forever, and I'm not likely to be physically able to return to my regular job on the medical-surgical wing in the near future, if ever. Thus, last Friday was my last day working in the job I've loved so dearly for the past year.

I can't remain sorrowful for long, however, because I have truly been showered with blessings - without even searching for a new job, God provided one for me... One of my dear friends from nursing school, Chalete, told me months ago that the pediatrician's office where she works wanted to hire a new nurse, and when I recently came to the difficult decision that I needed to change jobs, and asked Chalete if the position was still open (not hoping for a minute that there was a chance it actually was still open...) Chalete responded that the job was indeed still available, and was mine if I so desired! How fortunate I am... I might not fully understand why I'm supposed to change life plans and experience an elaborate variety of medical tests, but I know my path leads me on a purpose, towards good things. I'm confident I will love my new job as well, and I still plan on visiting my friends at the hospital on a regular basis!

Knowing I was mourning my departure from my current job, Shari, one of my co-workers in the operating room, so kindly told me that she would make sure my last day at work would be a celebration of my new future, rather than a day of tears! Inspired by her kindness and wise words, and also longing to find some small way to tell my co-workers how much I treasure their friendship, I decided to bake something totally grand to bring to work on my last day... Honey-Brownie Pies! I baked one of these decadent pies last weekend for our barbecue day with Emily and Aaron, and I just knew this was the sort of dessert I was going to be fixing again quite soon... With complex notes of honey, the creamy texture of pudding, and the decadent, fudgy lusciousness of brownies, this dessert transformed our taste-buds. Forever.

Little did I know that I would arrive at work on Friday morning to be greeted with a going-away feast my co-workers had prepared! Lentil stew, biscuits, cinnamon-raisin bread, and other such gorgeous culinary delights ensured that we did indeed have a party amidst our busy day of surgeries! I'm so, incredibly honored and touched by my co-workers' thoughtfulness. I hope they know this little treat I baked for them is really love and warmth and friendship, wrapped inside a fluffy confection of cocoa and honey...

Honey-Brownie Pie

3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup SmartBalance Light

1 1/4 cups raw turbinado sugar

1/2 cup honey

2 eggs

3 T skim milk

Graham cracker pie crust pressed into a round 9" pie pan

~ Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

~ Stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, and salt, and set aside.

~ In a large bowl, cream the Smart Balance Light and the turbinado sugar until light and fluffy.

~ Beat in the honey.

~ Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

~ Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, stirring after each addition.

~ Pour the batter into the graham cracker crust. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes - until a toothpick inserted 1 inch from side of pan comes out clean. Cool the pie on a wire rack, and serve with whipped cream!