Chocolate Polka Dot Cake

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 3 c. (360 g.) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c. (40 g.) dark cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 3/4 c. (350 g.) granulated sugar, divided
• 2 c. (475 ml.) cold water
• 2/3 c. (160 ml.) vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp. white vinegar
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 (8-oz.) bar cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 c. (170 g.) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Grease a 13″-by-9″ pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Whisk in water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla until well combined. Scrape batter into pan and spread in an even layer.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk egg, cream cheese, and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth and well combined. Stir in chips. Dollop cheesecake batter over chocolate batter to create a polka dot effect.
4. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Slice and serve.