Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups hot water
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Combine the hot water and instant coffee, then add to the dry ingredients along with the oil, vinegar, vanilla and eggs. Mix until smooth and well blended. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the 1/4 cup of sugar.

Bake for 45 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Make the topping while the cake is cooling. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Spread over cooled cake.