Lyons Family Cookbook

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

package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/2

cup

sugar

1/3

cup

baking cocoa

1

egg, lightly beaten

1/4

cup

2% milk

1/2

tsp

Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2

cup

chopped maraschino cherries

Additional maraschino cherries, halved

1

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 for topping.

2

Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom of an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until set.

3

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and cocoa until smooth. Add the egg, milk and vanilla; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in chopped cherries. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

4

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.

5

Cut into bars; top each with a cherry half. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 15 bars.

Source

Source: TasteOfHome.com