Chocolate-Cherry Cheese Cake

Chocolate Layer 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut in pieces 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips OR: 4 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate 1/3 cup water 1 box (18.25 ounces) chocolate devils food cake mix 1 large egg 2/3 cup walnuts, chopped Cheesecake Layer

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling, drained, syrup reserved
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

Chocolate Layer

1. In saucepan, melt butter and chocolate with water over medium heat until smooth. Let cool slightly. Place cake mix in large bowl. Add melted chocolate mixture; beat to combine. Beat in egg. Stir in nuts. Spread batter in prepared pan.

Cheesecake Layer

1. Rinse cherries; pat dry. Coarsely chop. In bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in almond extract and chopped cherries. Pour over chocolate layer; spread level to edge.
2. Bake in 350 degrees F oven until center is set, but jiggles when pan is tapped, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Spread 1 cup reserved cherry syrup over top. Let cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Store in fridge up to 1 week.

Photo by Holidays By Family Circle