Black Bottom Cupcakes: Positively Dreamy

• The fluffy chocolate cake is similar to devil’s food cake and relies on cocoa powder for its chocolate flavor.
• The cream cheese filling is a simple mix of softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. To gild the lily, mini chocolate chips are folded into the filling.

Mini chocolate chips vs. regular chocolate chips

Mini chocolate chips are the best choice for the cream cheese filling because they’re light enough to stay suspended in the filling; regular chocolate chips would sink. If you have a bag of regular chips, just use the same amount and give them a rough chop before folding them into the filling.

Should black bottom cupcakes be refrigerated?

Because black bottom cupcakes have a cream cheese filling, it’s best to refrigerate them. Pack leftover cupcakes in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. While you can enjoy them cold, straight from the fridge, I like to leave them out on the counter for 20 minutes or so to come to room temperature before eating.

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Makes 12

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 3/4 plus 1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 2 large eggs, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup whole or 2% milk
• 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons apple cider or distilled white vinegar

Directions:

1. Place 8 ounces cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl if using an electric hand mixer). Let sit at room temperature until softened, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 F. Line a standard 12-well muffin pan with paper liners.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beater with a rubber spatula. Add 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar, 1 of the large eggs, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Beat on low speed until combined and mostly smooth (a few lumps are okay), about 1 minute more. Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips and beat on low speed until just combined.
3. Bring 1/2 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. As soon as the water comes to a simmer, turn the heat off. (Alternatively, use an electric or stovetop tea kettle and bring it to a boil.)
4. Place 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, the remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
5. Add the remaining 1 large egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons apple cider or white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk to combine. Pour in the hot water and whisk to combine. The batter will be quite thin.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the wells in the pan, filling each no more than 3/4 full. Dollop each with 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture, dividing it evenly among the cupcakes.
7. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sheela Prakash is a senior contributing food editor for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.

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