Nana's Black Bottom Pie

Directions

1. 1
   Combine 1/2 cup of the sugar and cornstarch, set aside.
2. 2
   In a saucepan, add the milk to the egg yolks, then add the sugar/cornstarch mixture.
3. 3
   Stir until combined.
4. 4
   Cook and stir over medium heat, until the custard coats a spoon.
5. 5
   Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla.
6. 6
   In a separate bowl, add the chocolate to 1 cup of the hot custard and stir until melted and combined.
7. 7
   Pour the chocolate custard into the pie shell and chill.
8. 8
   While the chocolate custard is chilling, soften the gelatin in the cold water, then add it to the remaining hot custard.
9. 9
   Stir until the gelatin is dissolved.
10. 10
    Stir in the rum extract.
11. 11
    Chill the rum custard until slightly thickened.
12. 12
    Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
13. 13
    Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, beat until stiff peaks form.
14. 14
    Fold the rum custard into the egg whites.
15. 15
    Chill slightly, if necessary, until the mixture mounds.
16. 16
    Pile the rum custard mixture over the chocolate layer.
17. 17
    Chill until set.