Coconut Almond Torte with Chocolate Chips

Today is National Coconut Torte Day. Well you know it just has to have chocolate! I make a great Chocolate Coconut Torte with a thick chocolate ganache, but I also like this recipe from Ghirardelli Chocolate, a hometown favorite.

COCONUT ALMOND TORTE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Ingredients: 

1 1/3 cups Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 1/4 cups whole almonds
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
8 large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoon(s) sugar, or more to taste

Directions

Position rack in the lower third of oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease bottom and sides of 9-inch spring form pan.
In food processor, pulse almonds, salt, and 1/4 cup of the sugar to consistency of crumbs. Set aside. Beat egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tarter at high speed until they hold a soft shape. Gradually beat in remaining 1/2 cup sugar until eggs whites are stiff but not dry. Transfer to a large bowl.
Fold in almond mixture. Set aside 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to sprinkle on top of torte.
Fold remaining chocolate chips and coconut into batter.
Scrape batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with reserved chocolate chips.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until torte is puffed and golden, and  edges are starting to shrink from the sides of pan.
Cool on  rack.
To serve, whip cream with vanilla and sugar.
Remove sides of the pan and transfer torte to serving platter. Serve torte slices with whipped cream.