Ingredients
8 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped3/4 cup butter, cubed3 large eggs, room temperature2 cups sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 cup maraschino cherries, choppedTOPPING:1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 medium)1/3 cup strawberry preserves1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten1/4 cup chopped salted peanutsOptional: Sliced bananas and additional chopped maraschino cherries
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth.
In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar on high speed 10 minutes. Stir in vanilla and chocolate mixture. Gradually stir in flour. Fold in cherries. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan.
For topping, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in mashed banana and preserves. Add egg; beat on low speed just until blended. Spread over brownie batter; sprinkle with peanuts.
Bake until topping is set and a toothpick inserted in brownie portion comes out mostly clean, 40-45 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Cut into bars. If desired, serve bars garnished with banana slices and additional cherries. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
