Cherry-Cheese Brownies

Chocolate and cherries score high on the “yum!” factor. Served with Chocolate Gelato (see the Index under Frozen Treats) this fabulous Brownie would be a hit at any dinner party or special occasion. 

Cherry-Cheese Brownies:

To Prepare the Brownie Batter:

¾ c. all-purpose flour
⅓ c. sifted cocoa
Dash of salt
½ c. butter or margarine, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
2-to-3 tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325 deg. F. Grease an 8x8-in. baking pan. Dust with sifted cocoa and set aside. In mixing bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, and salt. Cream butter and sugar in separate bowl, beating until no granular texture remains. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Stir dry ingredients into creamed mixture, blending well. Add water and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Stir in nuts. Spoon and smooth ⅓ Brownie batter into prepared pan, reserving remaining mixture. Set aside.  

To Prepare the Cherry-Cheese Filling:

One 4-oz. (125 g) package brick-style cream cheese, softened
1 egg
½ c. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
½ c. maraschino cherries, drained and blotted dry on paper toweling 

With electric mixture, beat together cream cheese and egg until light. While cheese is beating, combine sugar and flour in small bowl, gradually adding to cheese mixture. Quarter maraschino cherries, gently adding to cheese mixture. Do not over-stir. Spoon cheese mixture over Brownie batter in pan. Pour remaining Brownie batter over cheese mixture. Bake 30-to-35 min., until toothpick poked into center comes out dry. Cool thoroughly on rack before slicing. 

Tomorrow: Easy No-Bake Brownies with Chocolate Glaze.