海角大神

It was thanks to an unexpected snow day this winter that we discovered this chocolate cream cheese cupcake recipe. I have long been a fan of baked goods with cream cheese and crafted聽these brownies聽a few years back but had never found the cupcake version that I felt was perfect. Until now.

Everyone in the family agreed that these are winners. Not only was the cake moist, the cream cheese filling delectable, but it was nice to skip frosting for a change.聽When I say that this is a 鈥減erfect鈥� recipe, I mean that it is perfect for me. Each of us has a unique palate and preferences. My favorite desserts are a little less sweet and usually include cream cheese, sour cream, or buttermilk. Though I love butter in cookies, many of my favorite cake recipes call for oil. And, as a red velvet cake lover, a touch of vinegar in chocolate cake is often a good sign.

If you were nodding your head in agreement as you read the previous paragraph, we may be dessert-compatible. Looking back at my recipe archive of baked goods, I was inspired to make a list of my all-time, never fail, favorite desserts. These are the cream of my crop. No tweaking necessary.聽As part of our 鈥渒eep warm, survive the rest of winter鈥� plan, we are baking regularly.

1.聽Luscious, moist carrot cake
2.聽White chocolate macadamia nut cookies
3. My sister鈥檚 apple crunch cake
4.聽These red velvet cupcakes
5.聽Heavenly banana cake
6.聽Chocolate cake with my secretest ingredient
7. My sister鈥檚聽buttermilk cake with lemon frosting
8.聽Kathy鈥檚 almond tea cake
9. This聽amazing pumpkin bread
10.聽Stephanie鈥檚 banana bread

Well, that should keep you baking for a while!

The best chocolate cream cheese cupcakes
I tweaked聽this recipe from food.com.聽
Yields 20 cupcakes

For the cream cheese filling

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

For the chocolate cake

1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder (use Valrohna 鈥� it鈥檚 worth it!)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vinegar

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare muffin tins by lining with paper liners or greasing them thoroughly.

2. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer for a minute. Then add egg, sugar, and salt and mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and set aside.

3. Fill muffin cups 1/3 full with chocolate cake mixture. Drop a heading spoonful of cream cheese mixture onto each cupcake.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-24 minutes until the cakes are just set. Let cool on a rack.

Related post on Whipped The Blog:聽POM Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting