Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Yesterday was my niece's 12th birthday party. It was a super late celebration, considering her birthday was really on March 19! As I had already given her present weeks ago, I thought of baking something for the party. I haven't baked for a while now...I used to bake nearly everyday. I would surf the net endlessly to search for something new to try...until I noticed I was slowly gaining weight. I had to stop.


That looks mouth-watering, doesn't it? It's one of those recipes I discovered over the internet. The original recipe was for big cupcakes, the ones you bake on 2 1/2" muffin cups. I like it better small. These little cuties are always a hit.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Ingredients:
For cream cheese filling:
250g package of Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg

For the chocolate cake:
3 cups plain flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups water

Topping: Chocolate bits/chips

Procedure:
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and egg in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

2. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C. Line muffin pans (1 3/4" diameter) with small paper cups.

3. Stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Spoon about 1 teaspoon (or less if it seems too much for you) into the center of each cupcake. Top with 1 Chocolate piece.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan and move to wire wrack. Cool completely.

This recipe makes dozens of small cupcakes (Sorry, I don't know exactly how many). Indulge!!!!!