Black Forest Brownie Bars

These delightful black forest brownies have a cheesecake layer infused with dried cherries and topped off with a drizzle of chocolate icing.

Recipe Ingredients:

Bars:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
l cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cherry Cream Cheese Filling:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
4 ounces cream cheese softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup dried cherries, finely chopped

Chocolate Drizzle:
2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon whipping cream

Cooking Directions:

1. For Bars: Preheat oven to 325°F (175°C).
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave, stirring until smooth, Cool.
3. Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
4. In mixing bowl, beat eggs until fluffy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in brown sugar. Add cooled chocolate mixture and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips.
5. Spread batter in a buttered 13x 9-inch baking pan. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.
6. For Cherry Cream Cheese Filling: Cream butter and cream cheese in a bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in vanilla and powdered sugar. Stir in cherries. Spread mixture evenly over brownie layer. Refrigerate until set.
7. For Chocolate Drizzle: Melt the chocolate chips and cream over low heat or in the microwave. Cool slightly. Dip a fork into the mixture and drizzle over the cherry layer. Chill until firm. Cut in 2x2-inch squares. Refrigerate until serving time.

Makes 24 bars.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.