Marvelous Chocolate & Cream Cheese Muffcakes

Muffcake /ˈməf-ˈkāk/ (n.) - A deliciously moist sweet bread (no, not the thymus gland), that resembles a cupcake but yet you still want to think of it as a muffin.

These marvelous baked goods are just chocolaty enough for the chocolate enthusiast, yet the moist and dense cream cheese filling provide the perfect vanilla touch for those who are less passionate about chocolate. These muffcakes will be the hit of any party or social function and keep in the fridge beautifully for up to 4 days. The only problem you will have with them is keeping them IN the fridge.



Preheat the oven to 350 F

Grease 12 muffin cups with butter; lightly flour the sides and remove any excess flour.

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/3 C. granulated white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tspn vanilla extract

Chocolate Cake Ingredients:

• 1.5 C. all-purpose flour
• 1 C. light brown sugar
• 1/3 C. unsweetened coco powder (I used Hershey's)
• 1 tspn baking soda
• 1/4 tspn salt
• 1 C. water
• 1/3 C. vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tspn vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Directions:

1. Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat until smooth again. Set aside.

Chocolate Cake Directions:

1. Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl.
2. Mix the water, vegetable oil, white vinegar and vanilla extract in another.
3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the middle. Mix until smooth.

Directions:

1. Divide the batter evenly between the 12 cups.
2. Spoon a few tablespoons of the filling into the middle of each filled muffin cup.
3. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the filling has become golden or cracked.
4. Remove from the oven and let cool before loosening the muffcakes from the tin.

Nutritional Information (if you DARE):
Calories - 257 per serving
Total fat - 13.5g
Saturated Fat 5.6g
Cholesterol 38mg
Sodium 220mg
Total Carbs 31.2g
Dietary Fiber 1.2g
Sugar 17.4g
Protein 4g
Vitamin A 5%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 3%
Iron 8%