Choco-cherry Cheesecake Bars

Total Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (16 1/2 ounce) roll pillsbury sugar cookie dough
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 drops red food coloring
• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, finely chopped, drained on paper towels
• 1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup whipping cream

Recipe

• 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 10-15 minutes or until light golden brown.
• 2 meanwhile, in small bowl, beat 1 egg , until frothy. brush egg over crust. bake 3 minutes longer or until egg 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 coloring; beat until well blended. stir in chopped cherries.
• 4 pour cherry mixture over crust. bake 16-20 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 form heat. cool 20 minutes.
• 6 stir whippping 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.