Black Bottom Cupcakes

I first saw this recipe years ago in a Sunset magazine. This is Brent's favorite chocolate treat.

Preheat oven to 350. Line 16 muffin pans with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, beat until smooth:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar

Add and beat until smooth:
1 large egg

Stir in:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

Set aside.

Whisk together thoroughly in a large bowl:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add:
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir with a rubber spatula just until smooth. Fill lined mufin cups about half full. Place a heaping tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into the center of each. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cakey part of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely.