Today is a big shout out to my husband. He just returned from a guys weekend in Pittsburgh with one of his buddies. They toured the state and hit part of New York state also. In their quest for the perfect sandwich, they scouted out the famous
Primanti Bros. diner in search for the ultimate pastrami sandwich - it was found there!!
Also in Pittsburgh, is Abby Lee Dance Company Studios, home to the
Dance Moms television show, which I think almost every teenage girl (and some moms) are addicted to - I call it the modern day soap opera for teenagers. Okay, yes even I have gotten sucked into a few episodes...
 |
| Bravery at its best. |
Picture if you will, two 50-year old men walking into this ultimate teens dance studio that is overloaded in bling, fuschia pink and spandex. They were on a mission to find gifts for their daughters. These dads did not dare get on a plane to come back home without tokens in tow. I think that took great courage and love to be able to walk in there to fulfill their dad duties.
 |
| You can never go wrong with a bedazzled sports top. |
They picked out the perfect gift for their active daughters sports tops and shorts. My husband deserved a special goody for his success. I was short on time and had to wing it, but was able to pull off his two favorite desserts in one - cherry cheesecake and brownies with chocolate chips. He is very particular about his brownies...likes them to have a cake texture (not fudge-like). and after the batter has been poured into the baking pan, he likes a couple of handfuls of chocolate chips to be sprinkled all around the pan, before they are baked. Please know that there are just some days I am all about being "semi-homemade". This dessert was awesomely easy and so rich and delicious at the same time.
Cherry Cheesecake Brownies
Dedicated to great Dads everywhere.
(1) box of your favorite Brownie mix
(ingredients needed to make brownies; eggs, canola oil and water)
(1) box of Jello brand No-Bake Cheesecake mix
(ingredient needed to make cheesecake mix; cold milk)
(1) can of cherry pie filling
2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
4 Tbl. butter
Mix your favorite brownie mix according to directions and pour in prepared 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cups of chocolate chips all over batter. Bake according to instructions. Let cool.
Prep the cheesecake mix according to directions. (Do not prepare the included graham cracker crust - save for another day/recipe). Spread prepared cheesecake mixture all over the cooled brownies.
Let chill in refrigerator.
While cheesecake brownies are cooling, prepare the ganache. Microwave the other 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in bowl for about 1-2 minutes. Add the butter and whisk until you see a glistening, glaze texture. Drizzle over cheesecake brownies and continue to refrigerate until ready to serve.
Spoon cherry pie filling over each serving, as needed.
