Most Divine Triple Chocolate Pie

Ingredients

Chocolate Shell

• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 ounce semisweet baking chocolate, grated
• 2 tablespoons water

Filling

• 1 (1/4 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1/4 cup sugar (for filling)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
• 1 cup milk
• 3 egg yolks, beaten
• 3 (1 ounce)  unsweetened chocolate squares
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup sugar (for meringue)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Topping

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• sugar, to taste (optional)
• 1/2 ounce semisweet baking chocolate, grated

Directions

1. 1

   Chocolate Shell:.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 400°F.

3. 3

   In a small bowl with a pastry blender or the back of a fork cut together shortening, flour and salt until it resembles crumbs.

4. 4

   Stir in grated chocolate.

5. 5

   Sprinkle water over. Mix lightly just until dough holds together.

6. 6

   Roll out and line a 9-inch pie plate; flute edge.

7. 7

   Bake for about 12 minutes. Cool.

8. 8

   Filling:.

9. 9

   Mix gelatin, 1/4 cup sugar, salt and instant coffee powder in a large heavy saucepan or double boiler; blend in milk and beaten egg yolks; add unsweetened chocolate.

10. 10

    Heat slowly, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is slightly thickened (do not let it boil).

11. 11

    Pour mixture into a large bowl; add vanilla and stir until smooth and blended. Cool in refrigerator until mixture mounds.

12. 12

    Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy in a medium-sized bowl; beat in 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, until meringue stands in stiff peaks.

13. 13

    In a second bowl, with the same beater, beat 1 cup of cream until stiff.

14. 14

    Beat cooled chocolate mixture until smooth; fold in meringue, then fold in whipped cream.

15. 15

    Pour into baked, cooled chocolate shell. Chill until firm enough to hold its shape when cut.

16. 16

    Topping:.

17. 17

    In a small bowl beat remaining cream (and sugar if desired) until stiff.

18. 18

    Mound whipped cream on firmed pie.

19. 19

    Grate semi-sweet chocolate over whipped cream.