Romanian Cheesecake with Cherries and Chocolate (Pască cu Cireși și Ciocolată)

This dessert is simply out of this world!  It's rich, decadent and oh, so delicious!  This is a very tasty spin on a Romanian classic dessert I grew up with.  The addition of dried cherries and chocolate is well worth as it totally elevates this piece of heaven.  Enjoy!

 Ingredients:
For chocolate bottom:
-1 cup sugar
-2 stick (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
-4 large eggs
-1/3 cup milk (whole or 2 %)
-a pinch of salt
-1 Tbs baking powder
-1 Tbs rum extract
-1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-1 cup flour
For filling:
-1 1/4 cups sugar
-1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
-2 large eggs
-3 cups ricotta cheese (whole milk)
-1 cup heavy cream
-1 cup flour
-5 oz dried sweet cherries
-1 Tbs vanilla extract
-zest from 1 lemon
-1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F.  Coat the bottom and sides of a 9 inch spring form pan with baking spray (the one with flour and butter).  Set aside.
Let's make the chocolate layer of our cheesecake. In your electric mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter until nice and smooth.  Add the eggs, one at a time and beat until well incorporated.  Add remaining ingredients, one at a time, with the mixer on low setting.  Mix until well combined.
Pour into prepared pan.  Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.  Do not turn off the oven!
While the bottom is resting, let's make the filling. Cream the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and mix very well.  Add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined.
Pour filling over chocolate bottom. Bake in preheated oven for 75-80 minutes or until golden brown and the toothpick comes out clear.
Remove from oven and place pan on wire rack.  Cool completely.  Run a knife along the edges to release the springform side. Slice and enjoy!