Cupcakes Supreme

1¾ cups flour1 cups sugar, dividedfrac14; cup cocoa1 teaspoon baking sodafrac12; teaspoon salt1 cup waterfrac12; cup cooking oil1 tablespoon vinegar1 teaspoon vanilla extract8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature1 egg1 cup semisweet chocolate chips Chopped almonds, optional garnish

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 18 cupcake cups.In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla and beat thoroughly. Fill muffin cups one-third full with batter.In another bowl, beat cream cheese, egg and sugar until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon about 1 tablespoon mixture into batter. (If you have a bit leftover, distribute among cups.) Sprinkle with additional sugar and almonds, if using, and bake 30-35 minutes, until set.Serves 18.