Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

1 packet (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or any brand)

Cupcakes:
2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt


Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1 egg till smooth. Stir in chips; set aside. Beat melted chocolate, oil, flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, water, 1 egg, vanilla, baking soda, and salt in large bowl with wire whisk or fork until blended and smooth. Spoon 1/2 the batter evenly into 18 greased or paper-lined muffin cups. Top each with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Spoon the remaining batter evenly over cream cheese mixture. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or till toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Cupcakes with Chocolate Spider Web

Cupcakes: Use packaged brand
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Make cupcakes and set aside.


Chocolate web and spider - on a sheet of parchment paper draw an 11 inch circle with a pen or pencil and draw a spider web on it, extending some of ends beyond circle. Tear off a large corner of the paper and on it draw a spider. Turn drawings over onto a large baking sheet. In a metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water melt chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Transfer chocolate to a pastry bag fitted with a #3 plain tip (slightly smaller than 1/8 inch). (alternatively, form a makeshift pastry bag: Transfer chocolate to a small sealable plastic bag and seal bag, pressing out excess air. Squeeze chocolate to one corner of bag and snip off about 1 inch from corner making a small hole). Pipe chocolate on web, beginning with spokes, and on spider. Freeze web and spider on baking sheet until very firm.