Chocolate-Cherry Cheesecake

Heat oven to 350°F. Coat 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

In saucepan, melt butter and chocolate with water over medium heat until smooth. Let cool slightly. Place cake mix in large bowl. Add melted chocolate mixture; beat to combine. Beat in egg. Stir in nuts. Spread batter in prepared pan.

Rinse cherries; pat dry. Coarsely chop. In bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in almond extract and chopped cherries. Pour over chocolate layer; spread level to edge.

Bake in 350°F oven until center is set, but jiggles when pan is tapped, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Spread 1 cup reserved cherry syrup over top. Let cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Store in fridge up to 1 week.