Valentine's Day is the perfect time to serve these wonderful brownies, but don't limit yourself to once a year. These delicious, fudgy cheesecake brownies that are full of gooey cherries would be good for any holiday or no holiday at all!
1 c. butter, melted, cooled slightly
2 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 T. vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. all-purpose or whole wheat flour
1 c. cocoa
1/2 t. salt
cherry cheesecake filling:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 can cherry pie filling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x13 inch pan with aluminum foil; spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Brownies:
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth; add vanilla and eggs; whisk until combined. Add flour, cocoa and salt; stir until combined.
Spread half of the batter, which will be thick, into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Cherry Cheesecake filling:
With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, egg, vanilla and sugar until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter. Top with spoonfuls of cherry pie filling, but not so much pie filling that the center would be too gooey and not set up nicely.
Drop spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter on top of the pie filling. You won't be able to spread the brownie batter, so just try to cover all of the filling with the batter. Smooth out the batter or try to swirl, as desired.
Bake 30-35 minutes, until center appears set. Your brownies might still have a little jiggle to them.
Allow to cool to room temperature before cutting. They are easier to cut if refrigerated for a few hours.