Black Bottom Cheesecakes

I got this recipe from my sister, Monika. This is a delicious little cupcake with "baked in" cream cheese and decorated simply with some cherry pie filling. . . to create a melt in your mouth goodness. Not just for Christmas.

Ingredients:

Filling:
1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
pinch salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cupcakes:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa, sifted
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp soda

1 large egg
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla

topping:
1 can cherry pie filling (won't need the whole can)

Method:

1. In small bowl, blend filling ingredients until smooth, with mixer. Set aside.
2. In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients.
3. In large mixing bowl, beat egg, water, vinegar, oil and vanilla.
4. Stir in dry ingredients, until smooth.
5. Fill well greased cupcake tins, 3/4 full - if using mini size (1/2 full if using large size). This recipe will make about 48 tiny cupcakes.
6. Drop a 1/2 tsp of cheese filling in center of each cupcake. (1 tsp for larger size)
7. Bake at 350ºF for 15 min ( 20-25 min for larger size)

You have several options:


1. Decorate with canned cherries, after they are baked, or just before before serving.

2. Drop a dab of cherry pie filling in center, along with the cream cheese filling, before baking.

3. You can also add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the cheese filling if you like. (not shown)