Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. For filling, in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and 1/2 teaspoon salt until combined. Fold in chocolate chips; set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, remaining 1 cup sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. In another bowl, whisk water, oil and vinegar; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
3. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full with batter. Drop filling by tablespoonfuls into the center of each. Bake until a toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean, 24-26 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4. For frosting, in a large mixing bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, cocoa, butter, milk and vanilla; beat until blended. Frost cupcakes; if desired, sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator.