If you’re a fan of rich chocolate cupcakes and creamy cheesecake, these cream cheese-filled chocolate cupcakes are about to become your new favorite. Moist and chocolatey on the outside with a surprise swirl of tangy cream cheese in the center, they strike the perfect balance between decadent and not-too-sweet. No frosting needed, these treats are bakery-worthy straight from the pan.
Chocolate Cupcakes That Don’t Need Frosting
These indulgent chocolate cupcakes are great for bake-sales, care packages or birthday parties. No frosting needed so they will travel well and turn out perfect every time.
I was first introduced to these chocolate cream cheese cupcakes, or black bottom cupcakes from my college roommate’s mom. She called them chocolate muffins and would mail these rich chocolate cupcakes to her and she would generously share them with us.
I was lucky enough that her mom shared the recipe with me and I’ve been making them for 40 some years now and every batch has turned out perfectly, even on those late nights when your kids tell you they need to bring a dessert to school the next day. 🤪
What’s great about this recipe for black bottom cupcakes is that they are scrumptious without frosting. While more of a cupcake than a muffin because of the decadent rich batter, the original name has always stuck in our house although most people call them black bottom cupcakes due to the layering of chocolate and cream cheese.
There have been times when I’ve frosted them, but seriously they don’t need it. If you want to frost they/re amazing with a chocolate cream cheese frosting.
These are so moist and the cheesecake filling with chocolate chips makes them one of my all time favorite easy desserts.
When you bite into the cupcake you’ll get a cheesecake filling that goes great with the moist chocolate cupcake. Both are delicious by themselves, but combined are even better.
Ingredient Notes for Cream Cheese Cupcakes
You mostly need pantry staples with a few additions. Check the recipe card below for all of the details.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – use an unsweetened, good quality cocoa like Ghirardelli.
- Cream cheese – make sure it has softened to room temperature to make it easier to work with.
- White vinegar – this might seem like an odd ingredient to add to cupcakes but it helps them rise when it reacts with the baking soda.
- Chocolate chips – you can use any type, dark, milk or semi-sweet. If you make mini muffins, use mini chocolate chips instead of regular.
How do you make black bottom cupcakes
Step 1: whisk
Step 2: pour
Step 3: mix
Step 4: assemble
Let them cool on a wire rack before eating and keep refrigerated due to the cheesecake filling.
They are perfect for taking to school parties or soccer games and great to ship off to a college student. You can’t really mess these up. It’s nice to have a recipe that you know will turn out great even if you’re having a bad baking day or making them last minute.
These work perfectly as mini cupcakes, just use mini chocolate chips and shorten the baking time.
Credit goes to Debbie Hudgins’ mom for this Curry family favorite.
What is the best way to ship cupcakes
Since these have a cream cheese filling, you will need to ship next day delivery, that will get them there in a day or two. Before shipping, freeze them in a freezer bag and then place the freezer bag in a disposable airtight container. This will protect them during the shipping process. Starting out frozen, will keep them from getting too melty while they ship.
I would not recommend shipping these to a very hot climate or in the middle of summer.
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Easy Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes (No Frosting Needed)
Ingredients
- 1½ cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 egg
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup sugar
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º. Line or spray 18 muffin tins.
Chocolate Batter Instructions
- Whisk together flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, soda, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
- Blend water, oil, vinegar and vanilla and pour into the well of the dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth and spoon into muffins tins.
Cream Cheese Filling Instructions
- Beat cream cheese, ⅓ cup sugar, and egg with an electric mixer. Stir in the chocolate chips. Spoon on top of the cupcakes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 18 cupcakes or 60 mini cupcakes. If making mini cupcakes, bake for about 12-15 minutes and use mini chocolate chips.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- These freeze well and can be shipped unless it’s really hot outside.
- Muffin liners aren’t required but certainly help with clean up.
- If making mini cupcakes, use mini chocolate chips and about 1 teaspoon of filling per cupcake.
Nutrition
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Kelley Cates says
I made 1/ 2 recipe of the black bottom cupcakes. Only made 6?
Barbara Curry says
I make mine so that they just come to the top of the muffin tin once they have baked, this will be 18 cucpakes. If you want larger cupcakes then you can add more batter and just make a dozen. It’s a personal preference.