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Mini Black Bottoms Cupcakes

4 from 4 votes

A delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. Very easy to make and super easy to eat!

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Mini Black Bottoms – a deliciously moist and fudgy cake topped with cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips.

 

Mini Black Bottoms - a delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. So easy to make and super easy to eat! www.savingdessert.com

These Black Bottoms are very easy to make and travel well.

This time of year it seems like everybody’s having little gatherings, luncheons, Saturday night parties, church events and pot luck extravaganzas at the office.  That’s where these fantastic little Mini Black Bottoms come in.  They’re very easy to put together, bake, pack and share.

Just imagine a moist chocolate cake with a dollop of chocolate chip cheesecake in the middle.  The cheesecake flavor comes through loud and clear while the mini chocolate chips add a little texture and an extra bite of chocolate.

 

Mini Black Bottoms - a delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. So easy to make and super easy to eat! www.savingdessert.com

These Mini Black Bottoms may not be super fancy, but oh my they are good … and perfect for any event, or any time of year.

It’s been YEARS since I’ve made these.  When I say years, I mean more than 20, at least.  Do you ever forget about old recipes and then one day it dawns on you that maybe your readers would love this recipe too?!

 

Mini Black Bottoms - a delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. So easy to make and super easy to eat! www.savingdessert.com

This recipe came from my sister-in-law’s best friend who ran a successful catering business for years.

I received this recipe back in the early 1980’s but forgot about them for a long time. These mini-black bottoms were always one of her most requested recipes and are perfect for all kinds of events.

 

Mini Black Bottoms - a delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. So easy to make and super easy to eat! www.savingdessert.com

I baked these in mini cupcake liners but they’re not necessary.

The Mini Black Bottoms hold together perfectly so as long as you pack them with wax or parchment paper between layers, they should do well.  They bake up beautifully without the liners in mini-muffin tins. The paper liners just make you have to work that much harder before popping them in your mouth!

 

Mini Black Bottoms - a delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. So easy to make and super easy to eat! www.savingdessert.com

The chocolate cake recipe has a unique and surprising ingredient … vinegar!

Just like baking with buttermilk, vinegar does some amazing magic on these tiny bites. These chocolatey bites are moist and tender and oh so good!

 

Mini Black Bottoms - a delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. So easy to make and super easy to eat! www.savingdessert.com

Can you freeze mini black bottoms?

Flash freeze the mini cupcakes until frozen. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw overnight and your’e good to go!

This recipe makes about 48 Mini Black Bottoms so there’s plenty to share, with a few extra to taste-test, and couple more to hide in the back of the refrigerator for later.   Oh don’t forget to try one warm from the oven.  You may just swoon!  Be sure to PIN so you can find this recipe later when you need it!

 

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A plate of mini black bottoms cupcakes with cheesecake and chocolate chips in the center

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Mini Black Bottoms

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 48
Course: Dessert
Author: Tricia
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4 from 4 votes
A delicious fudgy cake topped with a cheesecake dough mixed with mini chocolate chips. Very easy to make and super easy to eat!

Ingredients

For the cheesecake mixture:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 large egg
  • â…“ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 ounces mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 1/4 cups)

For the chocolate cake mixture:

  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch processed)
  • 1 cup water
  • â…“ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a (24 count) mini-muffin pan with vegetable spray.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, blend together the cream cheese, egg, â…“ cup granulated sugar, and salt until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chocolate chips. Set aside.
  • In a clean medium mixing bowl, combine all the chocolate cake ingredients. Gently blend (using clean beaters or a wooden spoon) until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are incorporated.
  • Scoop 1 tablespoon of the chocolate mixture into the wells of the muffin tin. Allow the chocolate "bottoms" to rest for 5 minutes. Scoop 1 teaspoon of the cheesecake mixture into the center of the chocolate cake.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done. Immediately remove the mini Black Bottoms from the pan and cool on a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter until all Black Bottoms are baked.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature or for longer storage, in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

  • I use just one 24-count mini muffin pan. After baking the first batch, I cool the pan enough to pick up then wipe out the cups with a paper towel. I redcoat the pan with vegetable spray to prevent sticking of the second batch. Continue with the remaining batter.
  • If using mini-paper liners, be sure to spray with vegetable cooking spray.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Here are a few more easy recipes you might enjoy!

I find myself looking for ways to use my mini muffin tin!  Click on the photo for more information:

The small print: If you decide to purchase something at Amazon after following my affiliate link, I receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog.

Originally posted December 2016 – updated September 2018

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65 Comments

  1. Stacey

    2 stars
    The flavor was good but called for way too much batter in each muffin cup-overflowed all over. Had to throw them away and start over. Super bummed.

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Sorry you had trouble Stacey. Sounds like you used a heaping tablespoon of batter instead of just one level tablespoon. The cream cheese portion is just one small teaspoon. Hope you’ll try again sometime. Glad you liked the flavor.

      Reply

  2. Julie G

    5 stars
    I made these little treasures this morning and they are wonderful! Sooo simple to mix up after carefully weighing all my ingredients. I can’t say it enough to new bakers…get yourself a kitchen scale. You can’t go wrong if you weigh everything using proper measurements.

    I ended up with 45 mini black bottoms and still had a little cream cheese mixture leftover. I filled the last 3 liners just with the cream cheese mixture and got 3 little cheesecakes! Divine.

    I had both regular liners and parchment ones. Using half of each, and spraying the regular liners, I found they were equally fine. The mini cupcakes released perfectly from both.

    When I compared my end result with your photos, they look exactly as yours do. I used a cup of room temperature black coffee in lieu of the water. I like how coffee enhances the chocolate flavor. Otherwise, followed the instructions to a T. Another perfect recipe, Tricia!! You are my go to for no-fail, tried and true recipes!!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Thanks so much Julie! These are indeed little treasures. So easy to pop in your mouth and are perfect with a cup of tea. I also LOVE the addition of the coffee. We often use espresso powder in chocolate recipes, but your adaptation of coffee in place of the water is brilliant. Bravo!!

      Reply

  3. Emily

    I had the same issue as Maeghan. The cake batter seemed very liquidy but I thought after letting it sit for a few minutes it might thicken up enough to hold the cheesecake. The little tsps of cheesecake just sank to the bottom and got covered up by the cake batter. Only tiny amounts showed if at all when done.

    I made the cheesecake mixture the day before, then took it out to thaw a bit while I mixed up the chocolate cake recipe. I thought I followed the recipe to a T, but now that I re-read it, I THINK my cocoa powder might be dutch-processed. I’m not at home now so I don’t have it in front of me, but I think I may have made that mistake. Still, I don’t think that would make the batter so liquidy to cause the cheesecake mixture to sink. But it could cause other necessary chemical reactions to occur or not occur, I’m a novice so I don’t know enough! I also see Tricia noted, maybe it’s the baking soda. I honestly don’t think my baking soda is more than a month or two old though, but I will get more.

    And… :/ I ran out of mini cupcake liners… gah. So the mini black bottoms that were made in a greased pan and not in the paper liners, were stuck to the bottom of the pan because of the cream cheese and basically fell apart. I was so disappointed. I’ve made delicious regular black bottom cupcakes before and was excited to make minis! But I know mistakes are for learning, so if others have had success with this recipe (and it is a simple one) I will try again with regular cocoa and a fresh box of baking soda, and see if that helps. And a whole container of cupcake liners. 🙂 Hope my mistakes prevent others from making the same!

    Reply

    • Cheryl Henry

      I made mine with Hershey’s, it said Dutch processed on the box. Its all I had so I tried it and it all came out perfect making these mini cupcakes. The cheese mixture didn’t sink or anything. The only thing I did do was get brand new ingredients.

      Reply

  4. Maeghan

    My cheesecake part did not come up in the top. The cake is covering the cheesecake part. What could I have done wrong? I did just a tbsp of batter and tap of cheesecake. I let the batter sit 5 minutes before putting adding cheesecake. I’m stumped!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Meaghan. I am not sure what happened. You may need to check your baking soda is still active. If it did not react with the vinegar, the dough may not have had enough lift to hold up the cream cheese. I’ve never had that happen and I’ve been making these for years and years. Hope you’ll try again. To test that you baking soda is till good, use THIS testing method.

      Reply

  5. Julie G

    I haven’t made these years! Thanks for reminding me how good they are. I’m adding them to my cookie tray for Christmas. Great tip on spraying the mini liners. They always stick a little so I’m sure that’ll help. I used your glaze from the pfeffernusse cookies on my ricotta cookies and loved it! I have to try the pferrernusse soon too.

    Reply

  6. Windy Calder

    This recipe is an old family favorite!! I remember you copying my recipe many years ago when you were here in Denver, Colorado. I had gotten this recipe from my life long friend Barbara Eaton, who went on to have a successful catering bussiness. These delicious chocolate bites were one of her most requested dessert items. What a fun blast from the past!! ?

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Thank you so much Windy! You solved the mystery and now that you mention it, I remember Barbara as well. Thank you both for sharing this recipe with me. Please tell Barbara that I don’t know where she got this recipe, but we all love it and send a great big thanks!! XOXO hope to see you all soon Windy and thanks for reading and following along 🙂

      Reply

  8. Susan

    I love it when I remember an old favorite recipe that I’ve forgotten about! These look so delicious, Tricia, and loved watching your YouTube video 🙂

    Reply

  11. Denise

    Thanks so much for pinning this recipe. It is also something I used to bake years ago but lost the recipe and for some reason, forgot about them. They are delicious and I will definitely put them back on my goodie list.

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      I agree Denise – that’s what happened to me. I came across the old hand written copy and couldn’t believe it had been years since I made them. Thanks and Happy New Year!

      Reply

    • Jules

      I cannot get these to turn out properly- everytime I make them the cream cheese mixture spreads out into a thin layer instead of being a nice bite of cheesecakey goodness. What am I doing wrong?
      They still taste good, but not like they should!

      Reply

      • Tricia Buice

        Sorry you’re having trouble Jules. Make sure you’re allowing at least 5 to 10 minutes for the chocolate batter to rest before adding the cheesecake. You can also try refrigerating the cheesecake mixture to ensure it’s not too loose before adding to the muffin tin. Do you live in a high altitude area?

        Reply

  13. Abbe@This is How I Cook

    I think we have the same cookbooks! I found this in a wholegrain cookbook back in the 70’s. Not sure what it was doing there, but I have been baking these for years. I did put them on my blog awhile back, but as a bundt cake. They really are one of our favorites and I would be so happy to find them on any tray!

    Reply

  14. Sara

    So these are one of my favorites, they were ALWAYS on the dessert table when I was a kid. Totally making these with my kids ASAP, they’ve never had them before!

    Reply

  16. cheri

    Hi Tricia, these little beauties are perfect for entertaining, love the size. I’m not the best baker, but I am trying. You make these sound easy to prepare. Gorgeous Pics!

    Reply

  17. Liz Berg

    A blast from the past. Like you, I resurrected my recipe a few years ago for a holiday gathering. Yours look perfect! Think I need to make these gems once again!!

    Reply

  19. Robyn Gleason

    Oh, these are so drool-worthy, Tricia! Your photography is stunning and I love that they’re so easy. I’m actually getting brave about baking!
    I’d love to be able to make these for everyone at Christmas. Perfect!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      I know you can make these Robyn! They really are easy – just read the recipe a few times before starting. That’s my recommendation for any recipe and it seems to help when baking. Enjoy!

      Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Haha Toni – these have been around for a long, long time. I think they are normally made as a cupcake but I’ve always made the minis. Great to hear from you! Hope you have a blessed Christmas 🙂

      Reply

        • Tricia Buice

          I have not tested these as full size cupcakes. You may be able to find similar recipes on Pinterest or Google and use that as a guide. Sorry! If you make them please let us know and we’ll pass that info along. Thanks for the great question.

          Reply

  25. John/Kitchen Riffs

    I do have recipes that I’ve completely forgotten about. Really good recipes — how can one forget? But it happens. That’s one of the reasons I started blogging — so I’d remember! Anyway, these really look unforgettably good. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      So many recipes, so little time John! I started blogging to pass on some of our family favorites too – and so I could remember. My husband says there are so many good recipes – he wishes we could make them all more often. Have a lovely holiday!

      Reply

  26. Monica

    Just love these little brownie cakes. They look wonderful and so great for a gathering. It’s so nice to discover an old recipe like this and bring it back to life. Your photos look amazing!

    Reply

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