Dark Chocolate Macaroons

4oz unsweetened dark chocolate, chopped
8oz unsweetened, shredded coconut
6oz sweetened, shredded coconut
2/3 cup sugar
6 Tbs cocoa powder
3 large egg whites
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1) Heat oven to 325F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2) Heat approximately half of the dark chocolate in a small saucepan, until just melted. Then, off the heat, stir in the remaining bits of dark chocolate. Stir until smooth. The residual heat should be enough to melt them and leave the mixture lukewarm; if it's not, heat the mixture again until just melted, but not very hot.
3) In a food processor, blend the coconut for one full minute. Add sugar and cocoa powder, blend another full minute. Add egg whites, salt and vanilla. Blend until combined, then add the melted chocolate until smooth.
4) With a tablespoon measure or cookie scoop, scoop batter into 1-inch mounds. You can arrange the cookies fairly close together, as they don't spread but just puff a bit.
5) Bake cookies for 15 minutes, until the macaroons are shiny and just set. Let them rest on the tray for 10 minutes after baking (or you can let them fully cool in place, if you're not in a rush to use the tray again), as they'll be hard to move right out of the oven. They'll firm up as they cool, but still remain softer and less dry inside than traditional macaroons.
6) Optional: They can be dusted with powdered sugar, if desired.

Review: This recipe called for 14oz unsweetened, flaked coconut. However, I had a bag of sweetened and a bag of unsweetened (both from Trader Joe's) that equaled 14oz perfectly. I worried it would make the recipe too sweet, but it was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't make it any other way!! They were densely chocolatey, not too sweet, and oh so moist. I made these for a back to school affair and they got lots of great reviews. This was especially noteworthy, considering I found these fairly easy to make!!

Adapted from:
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/04/dark-chocolate-coconut-macaroons/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+smittenkitchen+%28smitten+kitchen%29