For Jenny Muth, because it's her birthday

Here is the recipe I said I would post a while ago...

***Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes***

2 egg whites
1 egg
1/3 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. baking cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. 1% buttermilk

FILLING:
1 c. fat-free ricotta cheese
1/4 c. sugar
1 egg white
1/3 c. flaked coconut
1/2 tsp. coconut or almond extract (I used almond and it was just... wrong)
2 tsp. confectioner's sugar

In a mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, egg, applesauce and vanilla. Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa and b. soda; gradually add to egg white mixture alternately with buttermilk. Spoon half of the batter into 18 muffin cups coated with nonstick cooking spray.
In another mixing bowl, beat the ricotta cheese, sugar and egg white until smooth. Stir in coconut and extract. Spoon 1 TBS in the center of each muffin cup. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with remaining batter.
Bake at 350 for 28-33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in cupcake comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.
Yield: 1 1/2 dozen