Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 12 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups water
  • 23 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 -2 tablespoon vanilla extract (I think 1 might be enough)
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 13 cups sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chip
  • 12 cup dried cranberries
  • 14 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Method

  • Preheat oven to 350*F. Line 36 standard-size muffin cups with paper liners.
  • For the batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk toghether the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Stir in the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla; mix just until batter is combined.
  • Fill muffin cups 1/2 full.
  • For the filling: Blend together the cream cheese, egg, 1 cup of the sugar, salt, chocolate chips, cranberries, and pecans (if using).
  • Spoon a generous tablespoons of the filling on top of the batter in each cup; sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoons sugar.
  • Bake 30 minutes, until tops are springy.
  • Remove cupcakes from pans and cool on wire racks.