Chocolate covered cherries are a popular candy treat, but you usually only have them during the Christmas season or for Valentine’s Day. If you have a taste for them at other times of the year, this recipe for Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Bars offers a very similar taste that will satisfy your cravings.
These bars are both delicious and easy to make. Unlike the candy, though, they must be stored in the refrigerator.
CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE BARS
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
Additional maraschino cherries, halved
Place the flour, brown sugar and butter in a food processor; cover and process until fine crumbs form. Stir in walnuts. Set aside 3/4 cup of crumb mixture for topping.
Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish or pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until set.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and cocoa until smooth. Add the beaten egg, milk and almond extract; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the chopped cherries.
Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until center is almost set.
Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and then cut into bars. Top each bar with a cherry half.
Store in the refrigerator. Makes 15 bars.
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