Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Don't these just scream Valentines? They are pretty romantic looking if you ask me. Mine are a little fat but you know I tend to overfill my tins. Oh well, they are sweet and delicious...yummy chocolate cupcakes, with a center of strawberry cream cheese and then topped off with a strawberry cream cheese frosting. 

1 1/2 c flour
1 1/4c sugar divided
1/4 c cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c veg oil
1 c water
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
12 oz cream cheese divided (room temp)
1 whole egg
3 tbsp + strawberry jam 
4 drops of food coloring
2 tbsp butter ( room temp)
4 oz strawberry cream cheese
2c confectioners sugar
strawberries, cut in half

Preheat oven to 350º and line cupcake tins with 18 paper liners.
In a large bowl sift together flour, 1c sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In small bowl, combine vegetable oil, water, vinegar and vanilla. Make a well in dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients. Stir mixture just until combined. Fill up the tins about 1/3 full with chocolate batter...yes I know I overfilled mine again :)
To make cream cheese filling: in a medium bowl combine 8oz  original cream cheese, 1/4 c of sugar, egg, strawberry jam and food coloring. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Distribute scoops evenly right on top of chocolate batter. Bake for 22 minutes until cream center is firm.

For your frosting: combine the remaining 4 oz of original cream cheese, butter and 4 oz of strawberry cream cheese. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add confectioners sugar and mix until desired consistency.
Spread frosting on top of cooled cupcakes and add a strawberry to finish it off. I melted some jam and glazed tops of berries for a little shine.


Today I am linking up with
http://hoosierhomemade.com/easy-valentine-cupcakes-cupcake-tuesday/
and with Cole for

and over at Lisa's