Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• FROSTING:
• 3-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions

• For filling, in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and 1/2 teaspoon salt until combined. Fold in chocolate chips; set aside.
• In a bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and remaining sugar and salt. In another bowl, whisk the water, oil and vinegar; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
• Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full with batter. Drop filling by heaping tablespoonfuls into the center of each. Bake at 350° for 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For frosting, in a large mixing bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, butter, milk and vanilla; beat until blended. Frost cupcakes; sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 20 cupcakes.

Nutritional Facts1 serving (1 each) equals 358 calories, 17 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 36 mg cholesterol, 268 mg sodium, 52 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.

From Taste of Home