Shelly's Recipe

CHERRY CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

Category: Brownies/Blondies

1 (16 oz) can dark sweet cherries
1 (15 oz) box brownie mix
2 large eggs, divided
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp sugar
3/4 cup flaked coconut
1 tsp almond extract

Drain cherries and reserve 1/4 cup cherry juice. Put brownie mix in a large bowl. Add 1 egg, oil and reserved cherry juice; mix well. Gently stir in cherries. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese and sugar until well mixed. Add remaining 1 egg, and mix well. Stir in coconut and almond extract. Lightly grease an 8x8x2-inch baking pan. Spoon brownie mixture evenly into pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture over brownie mixture. Use a knife to swirl cream cheese mixture into brownie mixture. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Let cool. Cut into squares or bars. Makes 9 squares; 18 bars.