Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes

Total Time: 43 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 33 mins

Ingredients

• 2 egg whites
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

Recipe

• 1 in a mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, egg, applesauce and vanilla. combine the flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to egg mixture alternatively with buttermilk. spoon half of the batter into 18 muffin cups coated with nonstick cooking spray.
• 2 in another mixing bowl, beat the ricotta cheese, sugar and egg until smooth. stir in coconut and extract. spoon 1 tablespoonful in the center of each muffin cup.
• 3 fill muffin cups two-thirds full with remaining batter.
• 4 bake at 350f for 28-33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in cupcake comes out clean.
• 5 cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; cool completely. dust with confectioners' sugar.