Monday, July 19, 2010

Dessert recipe: choco-cherry cheesecake bars


My regular readers know I like to post lots of photos.  Today I'm trying something new.  At least new-to-me, because we've all seen the wonderful mosaics bloggers have been creating for years. Do you like the mosaic I created?  The super simple, free online program I used is from Big Huge Labs.

The theme for this mosaic is red of course, and also tea towels and baking.  The easy dessert recipe is from Pillsbury, but you can use your favorite sugar cookie dough should you prefer to make it from scratch.  You can find organic food coloring and organic maraschino cherries at healthier grocery stores if you want to avoid chemicals and corn syrup.

This dessert post is shared with:
Ruby Tuesday, Rednesday, Wordless Wednesday.

Bon appetit,


Choco-Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe
 
Simple chocolate-topped bars have a creamy filling and tender cookie crust.

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
1 egg, separated
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 drops red food color
1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries, finely chopped, drained on paper towels
1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup whipping cream

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In ungreased 13x9-inch pan, break up cookie dough. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, beat 1 egg white until frothy. Brush egg white over crust. Bake 3 minutes longer or until egg white is set.

3. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add egg yolk, 2 eggs, the condensed milk, almond extract and food color; beat until well blended. Stir in chopped cherries.

4. Pour cherry mixture evenly over crust. Bake 16 to 20 minutes longer or until set. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in medium saucepan, heat chocolate chips and butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Cool 20 minutes.

6. Stir whipping cream into chocolate mixture until well blended. Spread over cooled bars. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store in refrigerator.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

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24 comments:

  1. Wow these sound so great! Chocolate and cherries paired is a winner at the least but cheesecake too? fabulous!

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  2. what a great combo chocolate and cherries

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  3. This looks great. I have to bring a dessert tonight for a meeting, so maybe I'll try this. I don't have any whipping cream on hand, but I don't think that would be hard to modify.

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  4. The cherry bars look so elegant,love the luscious chocolate layer.

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  5. Hiya from a fellow dessert-lover, who has been known to eat 2 desserts instead of main course!
    Bars look yummy, irresistable.
    And your header re women on the Titanic, I'll be quoting that in future!

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  6. I'm not really into cheesecake, but they look wonderful!

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  7. What a yummy looking treat. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe and linkin up. By the way, I also host a tasty tuesdays meme. I'd love for you to link up next week. I actually still have mine up today too if you are interested.

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  8. Oh I coped that recipe down for sure. Love your mosaic, too. Thanks for sharing with us.
    ´*•.¸(´*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•*´
    ♥•.*.Thank you.*.•♥
    ♥•.*.from Vicki.*.•♥
    ¸.•*´(¸.•*´♥´*•.¸)´*•.¸

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  9. Drool on my keyboard...love your mosaic too :-)

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  10. These look great, and I love you little milk glass dish!

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  11. That's a great mosaic Joy! I'm embarrassed to say that I still don't know how to make one though. So I've bookmarked that link, and I'll give it a try.
    I've just jotted down this recipe, and I think my family will love it. Anything with maraschino cherries in it is sure to be a hit. Thanks so much for sharing it!
    Happy REDnesday!
    Carol

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  12. Just as the waistband was starting to show a litle room...

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  13. Love your mosaic and YUM, love the cookies! :) Thanks so much for sharing the recipe with us.

    Happy Rednesday,
    Sally

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  14. Joy, I thought you were a nice person, but today I have a seen a mean streak in you that has never been there before {:( I'm stuck here at work and you show this, this, yummy thing in full color on your post. (ARGH) (Sigh) I forgive you. ;)
    Have a cherry a day!

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  15. I am going to try those, they look so good!

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  16. Thanks for another great recipe! Your mosaic looks wonderful. I really do like all the red details.
    Fondly,
    Ann
    @
    The Tattered Tassel

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  17. That looks yummy and what a cute platter-- I've been wanting to try a mosaic too-- thanks for the link!

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