Not a Frosting Type of Kid

My youngest never really appreciated the frosting on cake. When his birthday would come each year it was always a challenge to come up with a treat that was special, but still was “birthday cake”. Eventually this recipe became the winner. It is a delicious, rich chocolate cupcake that everyone enjoys.

Surprise Chocolate Cupcakes (A birthday favorite)

For the cake:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups cold coffee
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling:

• 8 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Prepare 30 cupcake tins by spraying with non stick spray or by using cupcake papers.

Prepare the filling first. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the egg and sugar and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Set aside.

For the cake: Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir in the coffee, oil and vanilla until smooth. Add the vinegar and fold into the batter. You should see the batter lightly foam as the vinegar and baking soda react together.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Fill cupcake tin (or paper) to 2/3 full. On top of the batter for each cupcake spoon approximately one teaspoon of filling.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick place into cake portion come out clean. Cool.