Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

This is one recipe that I have been making since I was in the fifth or sixth grade. I still have the original page that was torn out of an old Snoopy recipe organizer from Hallmark circa 1980 or so. I have seen a lot of similar recipes lately, which inspired me to dig this one out. The original gives a recipe for the cake part, but I am a cheater and just use a box mix. (Gasp!) It is the cheesecake-like filling that makes them special.

Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

1 chocolate cake mix, prepared using package instructions

Using an electric mixer, combine the following until fluffy:
      1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
      1 egg
      1/3 cup white sugar
      1/4 tsp. salt

Add:
     1 cup (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tin with paper liners. Fill liners 2/3 full with cake batter. Drop a heaping teaspoonful of cream-cheese-chocolate chip mixture into each cupcake.

Bake according to package directions. Frost when cool with your favorite frosting.  I topped mine with chocolate chips, too. Enjoy!

Renee's Lemonade Pie

My mother-in-law, Renee started making this pie before Brandon and I were married, and quickly became one of my Dad's favorites. The tartness of the lemonade is offset by the ice cream and yummy whipped topping.  Refreshing after a HOT summer day!

Renee's Lemonade Pie
1 graham cracker crust (better with homemade, but pre-made is ok, too)
1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream, softened
1 large can of frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 (8 oz) tub of whipped topping, thawed

Combine ice cream, lemonade, and about 3/4 of the tub of whipped topping.  Pour into graham cracker crust.  Cover and freeze until firm. When frozen, top with small dollop of leftover topping, if desired.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE