Black Bottom Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Filling

• 1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese
• 1 egg
• 6 oz. chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp. salt

Batter

• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tbsp. vinegar

Directions:

1. Make the filling. Mix together cream cheese, egg, chocolate chips, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
2. Make the batter. Mix together flour, cocoa, salt, sugar, and baking soda. Add the oil, water, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix well.
3. Pour batter into greased muffin cups about 1/2 full. Top with 1 spoonful of the cream cheese filling. Sprinkle with sugar (or slivered almonds--optional). 
4. Bake in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes.

Serves: 16-18

Submitted by Sue Richichi, her mother's recipe