Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake

If you like ooey, gooey chocolate-covered cherries, grab a fork and a tall glass of ice-cold milk 'cause it's time for some of that richness right now!

Serves: 8

Chilling Time: 1 hr

Cooking Time: 35 min

Ingredients

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, well drained, divided
• 1/2 cup (3-ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 nine-inch graham cracker pie crust
• 1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1/4 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    
2. In a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, beat cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and continue beating until thoroughly combined. Set aside 8 cherries for garnish, then coarsely chop rest. Add chopped cherries and chocolate chips to cream cheese mixture, mix well, then pour mixture into pie crust.
    
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until center is firm. Chill 1 hour, then spread on whipped topping and sprinkle with cocoa powder. Garnish with remaining cherries. Cover loosely and chill until ready to serve.