Chocolate cream cheese cake..the cupcake version

At the request of my husband I tried this delicious recipe in cupcake form...... I got to say,  not impressed.   Although,  most of my failure can probably be attributed to my inability to fill cupcake cups correctly!   I just don't know what it is,  I can never bring myself to STOP! 

The result was not that disasterous as it could have been,  they are after all eatable, just not perfect! 

I'm going to redeem myself and make a cake or some cookies,  STAT!

Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest

Wilton's Holiday Cookie Contest is going on right now. Mind you there is no baking involved at all, all you have to do is "share your favorite childhood Christmas cookie memory, family cookiemaking tradition, cookie baking tips you've counted on for years, and fun ways you've packaged or presented your holiday cookies."

But don't quit your day job yet! While the prizes won't pay your bills, they'll make your baking experience a bit more enjoyable. Twenty winners will receive "...a fabulous cookie exchange prize package worth $160. " So what are you waiting for?! Go enter! The deadline is October 23rd, 2009.

Ah memories....but which one to share??

chocolate cream cheese cake

It doesn't get any better than this! The best of both worlds; chocolate AND cheese cake...It was love at first bite.....

A lady from work gave me the recipe and I tried it this weekend. I have to say, the best chocolate cake I have ever had. Even I could not manage to mess it up, and believe you me, there were many chances where this recipe could have been sent straight to the trash can but to my surprise, the cake came out perfectly baked and moist. YUM! The icing....delish! it was like eating a silky creamy piece of chocolate. I gave a Big piece to my neighbor, but I admit it, it was "I" who did the most damage.....

But enough, here's the recipe:

Cake:

1 box of chocolate cake mix (the one I tried was Pillsbury Devil's food cake, but you can use pretty much any brand)

Follow the directions on the box

Mix:

2 Pkg (8oz ea) cream cheese

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 tsp. salt

Mix all together until smooth (there is really no exact science, you'll know when to stop)

Put half of the cake mix on bottom of 13"x 9" pan (I actually used a bunt cake mold).

Spoon on cream cheese filling.

Pour the remaining batter on top of the cream cheese filling.

Take a knife and swirl through like a marble cake.

Bake at 350 for about 35-45minutes (you know your oven best!)

Now for the piece of resistance......

Chocolate Fudge Butter Cream Frosting:

1/3 cup butter

1/8 tsp salt

3 squares 1oz ea. unsweetened chocolate melted

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup of milk (use a small can of canned evaporated milk instead for added silkiness)

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

And enjoy!