Cherry Cheese Brownies with Chocolate Glaze. Ribbons of Cream Cheese and Cherries surrounded by Rich Chocolate.

This is an excellent recipe for any special occasion or anytime you feel like spoiling yourself with a luxurious treat.
You could give it a festive spin by using a combination of red and green maraschino cherries.

Cherry Cheese Brownies

Yield: One 9"x12" Pan

Brownies:

1 1/2 Cups of All Purpose Flour

2/3 Cups of Cocoa

1/2 teaspoon of Salt

2 Cups of Sugar

1 Cup of Vegetable Oil

4 Large Eggs

6 Tablespoons of Water

2 teaspoons of Vanilla

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Blend until smooth. Set aside while you prepare the cream cheese filling.

Cream Cheese Filling:

250 gram pkg. of Cream Cheese softened to room temperature

1 Cup of Sugar

2 Eggs

4 Tablespoons of All Purpose Flour

375 ml. jar of Maraschino Cherries (Chopped & Drained)

Cream sugar with Cream Cheese in a small bowl with electric mixer. Add eggs and blend until smooth. Blend in flour and gently fold in Drained, chopped Maraschino Cherries.

Line a 9"x12" pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with shortening. Pour 1/2 of the brownie mixture into prepared pan and spread out evenly. Pour cream cheese and cherry mixture over the brownie mixture in pan. Top with remaining brownie batter. This works best if you spoon small amounts at a time over the cream cheese mixture to cover.

Bake in preheated 300F oven for 60 - 70 minutes, being careful not to over bake. remove from oven and cool in pan on wire rack.

These brownies are great with or without frosting. You can top them with your favorite frosting or butter cream or use the following chocolate glaze, which is a favorite of mine.

Chocolate Glaze

4 Tablespoons of Margarine or Butter

4 Tablespoons of Cocoa

1 Cup of Icing Sugar

1 teaspoon of Vanilla

1 - 2 Tablespoons of Hot Water

Melt butter or margarine in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add Cocoa and stir until smooth. Add Vanilla and Icing sugar stirring with a whisk. Add water one teaspoon at a time until desired consistency. Spread evenly over warm or cool brownies.

This is also nice to drizzle over a cake or top cupcakes with.