Cream Cheese Chocolate Cupcakes
The chocolate cupcake to end all cupcakes! The cream cheese center makes it incredibly moist. (Nothing worse than a dry cupcake, can I get an amen). These are the best Black Bottom cupcakes I’ve EVER had. You totally don’t need the frosting…but I mean come on, live a little.
You know what is awesome? When all your friends read the Japanese tidying up book, and you don’t. I already told you about how my BFF came to visit me and spent her whole vacation organizing my pantry. Since then, I’ve had two more friends read the book and purge their closets. You know what this means? Free clothes for Karen.
I tried to explain a capsule wardrobe to my brother Nathan. “Basically it’s where you give away all of your clothes that you don’t wear, and just keep the things you really love.”
“You just described a man’s wardrobe.”
I think he’s right. Why do women complicate everything??
In other news, Charlotte was reading a book today when suddenly she looks up and says, “Mom, what do dinosaurs eat when there are not persons around?”
I told her they eat these cupcakes. (Although REALLY I should have told her what my brother tells his kids: that dinosaurs ate spinach, and if they want to be cool like dinosaurs, they better eat their salad.)
My sister-in-law Sandi gave me her mother’s recipe for these cupcakes after I was telling her once that all cupcakes are dry and not worth the calories. (Who’s with me??) But these cupcakes are SO GOOD. And not dry at all. It’s kind of impossible for them to be, because the center is made of molten cheesecake basically.
They are completely from scratch, but not hard at all. Usually I am all for the doctored cake mixes, but I thought this was pretty simple. These cupcakes are so rich that you really don’t need the frosting, but I included it because what’s a cupcake without a little bling?
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Cream Cheese Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 10 ounces mini chocolate chips, divided
For the cupcakes:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 & 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa, I used special dark
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, 1 stick, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- dash salt, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract, optional
For the chocolate curls (optional):
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon shortening
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Start by making the filling. In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat together cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/3 cup sugar, and a pinch of salt. Fold in 6 ounces of the mini chocolate chips. (A little more than half the bag, no need to measure). Scrape the mixture into another bowl.
- Add 1 cup sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt to the empty bowl (no need to wash). Whisk to combine. Then add the water, oil, sour cream, vinegar, and vanilla.
- Beat until combined, then fold in the remaining 4 ounces of mini chocolate chips.
- Line about 20 cupcake tins with paper liners. Fill each one about halfway with the cupcake batter.
- Top the center each cupcake with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. It's okay if it sinks down a bit.
- Bake at 350 for about 19-23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake part comes out clean. If you see any golden spots on the cheesecake filling, take it out right away.
- Let cool on a wire rack.
- To make the frosting, beat together the butter and cream cheese. Add the sugar, salt, and coconut extract, if you're using it. Beat well.
- Pipe or spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes when they are cool.
- If you want to make chocolate curls, add the chocolate chips and shortening to a small bowl. Microwave until the shortening is melted, then stir together until combined. Pour the mixture onto an upside-down baking sheet and spread thin with a spatula.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 4-5 minutes, then use a metal spatula to scrape the chocolate off the pan. Sprinkle on top of the cupcakes and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
If you are piping the frosting, throw your bag into a tall glass to give it structure while you spoon the frosting in. Here’s my recipe for How to make Cream Cheese Frosting. It’s super easy!
I don’t make a lot of cupcakes, but here are some other cakes you will love!
Strawberry Truffle Cake: come on now do the Truffle Shuffle with me
Butterscotch Pumpkin Cake: (You’ll have to click over to get the story behind this photo…)
More cupcakes from friends!
The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes from Sprinkle Some Sugar
S’mores Cupcakes from Life, Love, and Sugar
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting from Cupcake Project
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Can you make white cupcakes from your white cake it’s the best I ever ate
Hi Ken! Yes you can, don’t fill them too much! Like 2/3 of the way.
May I freeze these or how long will they last in the frig…if I don’t eat them😂
Hi Cheryl! Yes in general you can freeze cupcakes. I would freeze before frosting. Store the cupcakes in a ziplock back with the air pushed out. Let thaw on the counter with the bag sealed. They will last in the fridge for about 2-3 days before getting dried out! Enjoy!
I love all of your recipes, but can any of the ingredients like the cupcakes be substituted with almond flour and swerve instead of regular? Trying to eliminate those two ingredients in my diet!!
Hi Debbie! I wouldn’t know, I’m so sorry. Those are two pretty significant changes so I can’t guarantee results. Let me know how it goes!
Why have I not made these yet? “It’s a cupcake, not a salad” is definitely my new baking motto.
Made these for a gal I work with, Oh man oh man oh man…gooooood stuff those cream cheese chocolate cupcakes. Also, the liners you used would be perfect for my nieces 30th 1930’s Birthday party! (and of course these cupcakes will need to be made again) do you happen to remember where you purchased them?
Hey Donna! So glad you enjoyed them. And I’m so sorry, I have no idea where the cupcake liners came from! My mom bought them for me ages ago and I just now found a chance to use them. I think they may have been Wilton liners, you could poke around to see if you find something similar. Sounds like a fun party!!
The filling of these cupcakes is the best!
Blah of course right when I declare I’m giving up dairy, I stumble into your DELICIOUS CRAZY MOIST looking cupcakes!!!!!!! Geez Karen thanks a bunch ;) Ugh. I’m just sitting here imagining you and your fam feasting on these and trying to pretend that brings me joy instead of insane jealousy.
OMG ALSO! My friend JUST told me about the Konmari method and I totally did it with my closet! It’s so great! I feel way less stressed whenever I step into my closet now! Baha if only we could all be so great about our closets all the time like…men…*side eye*
Oh heck yes. Just call me a dinosaur because I’m going to destroy all of these cupcakes!
Oh my goodness! I wish I had friends who were getting rid of clothes!! I like to get rid of things in my pantry.. but to get rid of clothes.. they have to sit in there for about a year not being worn THEN I’ll get rid of them!
Oh my goodness! These look like the cupcakes that make all other cupcakes envious. :). They look so decadent and yummy. I’m definitely making them soon. Yum.
I love Oreo’s, they are one of my favorite type of cookies. I am going to pin this recipe. I think this would be perfect for me to bring to my next bunco night.
I have that Marie Kondo book in my Kindle, but I still haven’t cracked it open yet!! Maybe that’s why my apartment is still such a mess!
These cupcakes look AMAZING! Love that cream cheese filling!
I TOTALLY agree with you on the cupcake thing. I am down with eating all the desserts, but not if they aren’t worth it. This look so incredible! I always say I have no problem cleaning out my closets but don’t make me clean out my kitchen! :)
Lucky you! I need someone to come organize for me…and I need one of these cupcakes!
These look incredible! Love the chocolate chip cream cheese filling!
Thanks Jessica! I love it because the chips get all melty and gooey…mmm.
Omg that cheesecake filling. Must make ASAP! I’m totally a cupcake person, but I’ve never had one like this! :)
If you are already a cupcake person then you have GOT to try these ones Beth! Love at first bite :)
I’m with Taylor (that cream cheese though!) and YES I normally hate cupcakes- like, I just want a fudgy dense brownie that’s probably healthier! But these cupcakes look so rich and moist- def worth it :)
Right?? Brownies all the way normally. This recipe is literally my only exception!
Ha, I’m using that spinach line on my girls. Lol. I totally agree that dry cupcakes are not worth the calories. These however, totally worth every single one! Yummmm :)
The spinach line worked for a long time on my nephews, though they have been catching on lately, haha. Glad to hear I’m not the only dry cupcake hater!!
Oh, my word! Those cupcakes are screaming at me to make them! Love how gooey they are and the frosting is a must for me.
Yeah, let’s be real…the frosting is a must for me too :) Thanks Jocelyn!
Karen now these are the way I want to indulge in dessert! All the chocolately goodness that I want to stuff my face with!
Thanks Meg! I personally am done with all the light summer desserts, in case you couldn’t tell…haha. Bring on the rich.
I have an urge to just write “that cream cheese center though.”
And that’s it.
BECAUSE that is EVERYTHING. Chocolate with creamy goodness on the inside? I want ALL of these! Pinned!
Right though?? It’s allll about that cream cheese :) Thanks Taylor!