In another bowl, mix together the oil, buttermilk, cocoa, eggs, and food coloring.
1 cup vegetable oil, 2/3 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon red food coloring*
Combine the wet ingredients and the dry ingredients together just until moistened.
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar together. Fold the cream cheese mixture into the muffin batter, being careful to not overmix.
8 oz cream cheese
Divide the batter between the prepared muffin tins.
In another bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup of sugar and the 1/4 cup of flour. Add the butter and cut in using a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the muffins.
1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons butter
Bake the muffins in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 17-20 minutes.
Notes
*I use liquid food coloring because that is what I keep on hand, but you can also use gel food coloring. If you use gel, you will need a lot less. I would start with several drops and add until you have the color that you want.This is slightly adapted from the recipe that I originally published here in 2013 (and in my cookbook). The only changes are that I made 18 muffins instead of 24 and cut the streusel topping in half.Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.