Chocolate and Cheesecake Cupcakes

Hey everyone!

I feel like I'm the last person to jump on the bandwagon and try the cheesecake-topped cupcake variety of dessert, and boy am I bummed I waited so long because these are excellent! I didn't get the results that many recipes and pictures show- a more dense cheesecake type layer with a smaller, flatter cake layer. Mine came out more as chocolate cupcakes with a sort of cheesecake layer as frosting. Fantastic! And I can't even count the number of ideas this is giving me for other desserts. Simple and delicious! Let's get going.

Your arsenal- simple ingredients that you probably already have sitting around.

Mix together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

Make a well in the middle and pour the wet ingredients in.

Whisk together until just combined.

Separately, cream together your cream cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla, and salt.

And you'll end up with a fairly liquid-y cheesecake type mixture.

Then fill about halfway with batter, top with a dollop of cheesecake mixture, and I threw a few chocolate chips on top for pretty. Ready for the oven!

Chocolate and Cheesecake Cupcakes
-1 1/2 cups flour
-1 cup granulated sugar
-1/4 cup cocoa
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1 cup water
-1/3 cup veggie oil
-1 tablespoon cider vinegar
-1 teaspoon vanilla
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-1 8 oz. block cream cheese or neufchâtel
-1 egg
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
-1/3 cup granulated sugar
-1/8 teaspoon salt
-chocolate chips
Combine dry ingredients. Create a well in the center and add all the wet ingredients, mix just until all incorporated.
Separately, whip up the cream cheese, egg, vanilla, sugar, and salt.
Fill muffin cups about 1/2 full of the cake batter. Put a dollop of the cream cheese mixture on top.
Feel free to top with a few chocolate chips or whatever else strikes your fancy.
Bake at 350 F for 25-30 mins.

Your finished cupcakes! They rise beautifully and I love the cracking effect that happens on the tops. Plus, these are completely delish- you must try!

savor it!
love, rue