The second delivery of popcorn was dropped off earlier this week, and if people perhaps have been fooled into thinking “Hey Popcorn Guy” doesn’t have a sense of humor, rest easy, because he does.  Which was demonstrated in the flavor of popcorn that he brought me to work with….Black Cherry & Red Cherry.  I know right?  He is thinking perhaps that I have more imagination then I really do, however let’s give it a go.  This was a bit of a head scratcher for me and I was up against the ropes for awhile, I’m not gonna lie, then the creative process took over and a recipe was born.  The bars are really tasty and I hope when you find yourself with some Black Cherry & Red Cherry popcorn from “Hey Popcorn Guy” that you will give this recipe a try!

Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Base Layer

1 1/2 cups rice crispy cereal

1 1/2 cups Black Cherry & Red Cherry Popcorn

5 oz. large marshmallows

1/4 cup butter

Second Layer

1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Top Layer

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup milk chocolate chips (this recipe would be amazing with dark chocolate)

You will need a 13 X 9 pan, butter the pan well.  Place the marshmallows and butter in a pan. Place pan on medium heat and begin to melt, continually stirring.  Once the marshmallows and butter have melted together, stir in popcorn and crispy cereal. Press out on the bottom of the 13 X 9 pan , allow to cool.  While the cereal layer is cooling, place softened cream cheese, whipping cream and powdered sugar in a mixer and whip until combined, and then whip for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.  Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the cereal mixture with a spatula.  Melt together in a bowl the chocolate chips.  You can use a double boiler, or what I did was melt it in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between.  Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, stir together once more and spread onto the cheesecake layer.  At this point you can refrigerate the bars, however I did not, I allowed them to cool on the counter and then cut them into squares.