Chocolate Angel Strata Pie

Rich, creamy, unique chocolate pie with a hint of cinnamon. Also a bit tricky because of the meringue, therefore not a beginners recipe. A legacy of my grandmother and a family tradition at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Make sure the eggs are separated well and all the directions are followed to the letter.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 pie

Ingredients

• 2  large eggs, separated
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vinegar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  cup chocolate chips
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  baked  pie crust

Directions

1. Beat egg whites, vinegar, salt and first 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon until soft peaks form.
2. Add sugar slowly to egg white mixture while beating continuously. When stiff spread evenly over baked pie crust. Bake at 325 for 15-18 minutes or until meringue turns light brown and a knife inserted comes out clean.
3. Next place egg yolks, chocolate chips and water in top of a double boiler or melt in a pan over boiling water. Stir constantly until mixture is smooth. Spread a thin layer of chocolate over meringue layer. Chill the remaining chocolate while doing the next step.
4. Combine 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1 cup whipping cream. Whip until stiff. Spread 1/2 of mixture over cooled chocolate layer.
5. Fold together remaining chocolate and remaining whipped cream mixture and spread over pie. There should be four layers:meringue, chocolate, whipped cream cinnamon, and whipped cream chocolate mixture on the top.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours.