Cherry Cheesecake Coca Cola Brownies

This post is for the February Behind the Curtain Dessert Challenge! Every month Miss Sheryl @ The Lady Behind the Curtain hosts this amazing challenge.  We are given two new ingredients every month to work with and then we must create a new dessert recipe using those ingredients.  For Valentine's Day we were given Cherry and Coke. Since I've already made Cherry Coca Cola Cupcakes I had to put on my thinking cap and come up with something new.  After a few baking fails I did find a winner! Enter the Cherry Cheesecake Coca Cola Brownies.

Cherry Cheesecake Coca Cola Brownies

Brownie
18.4 oz Supreme Original Brownie Mix with Hershey's in a pouch
1/4 cup Coca Cola
1/2 cup oil
1 extra large egg, lightly beaten

Cheesecake
8 oz cream cheese, softened
6 Tbsp (1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp) sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 extra large egg

1/2 recipe for Easy Homemade Cherry Pie Filling or 1 15 oz can of Cherry Pie Filling.

Preheat oven to 375˚ F. If making your own cherry pie filling follow these directions now. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl add the brownie mix.  Snip the end of the Hershey's syrup and add to the dry ingredients along with the Coca Cola, oil, and lightly beaten egg.  With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon mix until all the dry ingredients are completely incorporated. But don't over-mix.

Spray a 8x10" baking dish and pour in the brownie batter, spreading evenly with the spatula.

In a separate bowl beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla.  Beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Carefully spoon the cheesecake mixture on top of the brownie batter already in the pan.

Using a knife, swirl the batters together using a figure 8 motion.

Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top of the cheesecake and brownie mixture.  Repeat the figure 8 pattern using the knife again over the mixture creating a marbled pattern with all three layers.

Bake in your preheated oven for 40-50 minutes until the top is set completely but not cracked. Remove to a cooling rack.

Cool completely.

Cut and serve. This is fabulous topped with whipped cream.

Refrigerate any leftovers! 

This tastes even better the next day which makes it the perfect make ahead dessert.