Black Bottom Cups

Ingredients

• 2 (3-oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 (6-oz) pkg. (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds, if desired (don't have to)
• 2 tablespoons sugar, if desired

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 muffin cups with paper baking cups.
2. In small bowl combine cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and egg; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips; set aside.
3. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla; beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
4. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Top each with 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture.
5. Combine almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar; sprinkle evenly over cream cheese mixture.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until cream cheese mixture is lightly golden brown.
7. Cool 15 minutes and remove from pans. Cool completely.