Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Chocolate. Cheesecake. Cupcakes. How can you go wrong? Annie, who is a cupcake connoisseur, said that these were the best cupcakes she has ever eaten. I will not argue with that award.

Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (I prefer Pillsbury's Devil's Food)
1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding
3 T. cocoa powder (did you know that this is the world's best cocoa powder?)
1 egg + the eggs called for on box, room temperature 
Water, as called for on box
Oil,  as called for on box
2/3 c. milk
1 eight oz. pkg. softened cream cheese
1/3 c. sugar
1 c. mini chocolate chips

Fold together cake mix, pudding, cocoa powder. Add eggs as called for on box (reserving 1 extra egg), water, oil, milk. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, set aside.

In small bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar. Beat in the reserved 1 egg. Stir in mini chocolate chips.

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with cake batter. Drop 1 rounded teaspoon of cream cheese mixture in each. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until cake tests done. 

Yield: 2 dozen cupcakes

Once cooled, top with your favorite buttercream frosting. Mine is Best Buttercream.

If you want to be extra fancy, garnish with chocolate curls. See how to make them!