Chocolate Almond Coconut Macaroons

For me, summer just wouldn't be complete without a trip to Johnson's Island.  What, you haven't heard of this tiny green sanctuary in the middle of the Sandusky Bay?  It's okay - not very many people have - and I'm fairly certain that the island residents prefer it that way.🤪

​The small island in Northern Ohio is a far cry from tropical but it holds a special place in my heart.  It's the place where I had the privilege of spending my childhood summers.  The childhood utopia where I learned to fish, to swim, to ride a dirt bike, to forage for wild raspberries and play ghost in the graveyard after dark ... in an actual cemetery. 👻🤣

Lucky for me, my parents have made this slice of mid west paradise, their permanent home.  Even though the over 700 mile journey from my house can be a challenge, I visit as often as I can.

As a kid, I didn't appreciate this idealistic place to grow up.  I assumed that every kid spent their summers riding bikes through the woods and jumping off dangerous cliffs into rocky waters below. 😳  It wasn't until I got older and started to visit with my boyfriend (now my husband) and later, my kids, that I realized what a treasure this little island really is.  And of course, they fell in love with it too. 

My mom is an amazing cook and she's an expert at fixing meals on "island time".  Like when word get around that the fish are biting, no matter what time of day it is, you grab your worms and head to the "hot spot" which means that all other plans get cancelled.  Fishing trumps dinner every time. 🤣🎣 And when we wake up to one those perfect Northern Ohio summer days, we grab the sunscreen and heads to the boat. 🚤  Any meals that were planned for the day get either packed in a cooler and loaded on the boat for a picnic or put back in the refrigerator for another day.

Like I said - my mom's become an expert at making delicious meals despite the crazy schedule.  I'm not nearly as flexible as she is with my meal planning, but then again, I don't live on an island. 😅  I did however, manage to whip up a quick batch of Chocolate Almond Coconut Macaroons while I visited this summer.  Sure I had to mix together the batter and put them in the frig while for a few hours while we attended a summer regatta party.  But I was able to come back and bake them just before I went to bed.  #islandlife 😂

Chocolate Almond Coconut Macaroons
2 egg whites
3 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond
2 1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Whisk together egg whites, sugar, salt, vanilla and almond extract until foamy.

Fold in coconut, almonds and chocolate chips.  Refrigerate 30 minutes.  

Scoop out 12 equal portions onto silpat lined baking sheets.  

Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 until golden brown.  

Let cookies cool on sheet 5 minutes. 

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Where are my gluten free and dairy-free followers?  This recipe is for YOU!  Well, it's for me too.  I'm not gluten or dairy intolerant and I love these as much as you will.  Enjoy!

​Ciao!

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