Grandma Peggy'S Black Bottom Pie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 c. water
1 envelope gelatin (unflavored)
2 c. milk
4 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. vanilla
9-inch baked pie shell
1/2 c. sugar
1 pt. whipped heavy cream
grated unsweetened chocolate

Preparation

Soften gelatin in water.
Cook in double boiler until it coats a spoon. Scald milk and add beaten egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar to which cornstarch has been blended.
Pour custard you just made with chocolate chips. Stir until smooth. Add vanilla; stir and pour into baked pie shell. Add softened gelatin to remaining custard. Stir; cool in refrigerator until cool but NOT set.
Beat egg whites with 1/2 cup sugar (add sugar when whites begin to thicken). Fold cooled custard into egg white mixture. Pour over cooled chocolate layer. Let sit at least 2 hours. Cover with whipped heavy cream. Garnish with grated unsweetened chocolate, if desired.