Serve this delicious dessert with a glass of red wine such as Lambrusco!

Chocolate-Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

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 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup 2% milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
Additional maraschino cherries, halved

Directions

~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.

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

~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.

~Bake for 20 to 25 minutes (or until center is almost set). Cool on a wire rack for one hour. Refrigerate for at least two hours. Cut into bars; top each with a cherry half. Store in the refrigerator.