Easy Cheesecake-Filled Cupcakes (Vegan)

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Servings: 18
Yield: 18 servings

Description

These cheesecake-filled chocolate cupcakes are made with completely vegan ingredients, for a new twist on a sweet treat.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) tub vegan cream cheese
1/3 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons plain non-dairy yogurt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
2 tablespoons white sugar, or as needed

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
2 Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt for cupcakes together in a bowl. Add water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla and beat until combined; be careful not to overmix.
3 Beat vegan cream cheese and sugar for filling together in a separate bowl until smooth. Add vegan yogurt, cornstarch, vanilla, and salt and beat until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
4 Fill each prepared muffin cup 2/3 full with chocolate batter. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on top of the chocolate batter. Sprinkle the remaining sugar on top.
5 Bake in the preheated oven until both the cake and filling appear set, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 30 minutes; these taste best when completely cooled.