CREAM CHEESE FILLED CUPCAKES

This recipe was given to me by a sweet friend and neighbor in Italy labeled "picnic cupcakes" and used chocolate cake mix.  I make them often and LOVE them!  You can use any cake mix, recently I did red velvet and would love to try lemon next time.

1 box cake mix plus ingredients to make cupcakes 

FILLING 

8oz cream cheese, softened 

1 egg 

1/3 cup sugar 

1 cup chocolate chips 

Mix cake batter as directed. Fill cupcakes 2/3 full.  In mixing bowl, beat all ingredients for filling.  Drop a tablespoon of filling into each cupcake.  Bake as directed.

FROSTING 

8oz cream cheese 

1 stick butter, softened 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

pinch of salt

4 cups powdered sugar 

Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla and salt until creamy, slowly add in sugar.