Ever wonder how to get that cream filling? Well, let in this recipe I let the secret out of the bag, and in the best way possible, a moist chocolate cake with an irresistible cream cheese filling. As if you weren’t indulged enough, the Nutella frosting makes you want to give into indulgences more often. 

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup coffee, cooled to room temperature

1/2 cup canola oil

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 177 degrees Celsius. Combine the dry ingredients, sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl whisk together coffee, oil, vinegar and vanilla. By hand or using an electric mixer slowly pour and begin to stir the liquid into the bowl with the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.

Cream Cheese Filling

1 package of cream cheese (8 ounces) room temperature

1/3 cup of granulated sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

zest of one lemon

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

Whip together cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg. Fold in the remaining ingredients.

Fill paper-lined muffin cup one-third full of chocolate batter. Spoon in a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and top with chocolate batter until cream cheese is covered. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in pan and remove to a wire rack. Makes one and a half dozen cupcakes.

Have a special occasion? Make a cupcake cake! Rather than the tradition cake use the cupcakes and form your favorite shapes and characters. When it comes time for service your guests will pull away they’re own piece of the puzzle.

Nutella Buttercream Frosting

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 cup butter, room temperature

3/4 cup Nutella

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions

With an electric mixer slowly whip together sugar, butter, Nutella and cocoa powder. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla and milk and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for piping consistency.

Other ideas: A creative way to make a party unique is by using these scrumptious cupcakes to make a pull-apart cake. I created this football using these recipes for a Super Bowl party. It was a huge success!