Black-Bottom Cupcakes

We were sick yesterday. Fevers, chills, headaches, runny noses-- you name it. It was awful. Around 2pm we realized that we hadn't eaten and Brady wanted cookies. Brady always wants cookies and usually I am happy to bake them for him-- but yesterday I was tired and not feeling well-- so I made cupcakes instead.

Not really.

We started feeling better around 2pm and so even though he asked for cookies I made cupcakes and we were both so glad that I did.

I keep saying that I am not a sweets eater and I never was but Brady is turning me into a believer. I wasn't craving cheetos today. Today I was craving cake.

Darn you black-bottom cupcakes.

Curse you cookie dough cheesecake.

Being bad never tasted so good...

makes approx. 12 cupcakes. i suggest you double it.

Ingredients

For the Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Cupcakes:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
5 tablespoons naturally unsweetened cacao powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup unflavored vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Make the Filling: Beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Set aside.

Make the Cupcakes:
1. Adjust the rack to the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 12-cup muffin tin, or line the tin with paper muffin cups.

2. In a medium bowl sift together the flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl mix together the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla.

3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and stir in the wet ingredients, stirring just until smooth. Stir any longer and you will over mix the batter and end up with less-than-tender cupcakes.

4. Divide the batter among the muffin cups. Spoon a few tablespoons of the filling into the center of each cupcake, dividing the filling evenly. This will fill the cups almost completely, which is fine.

5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the tops are slightly golden brown and the cupcakes feel springy when gently pressed. These moist treats will keep unrefrigerated for 2 to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.