Description
Classic Divinity Candy is a smooth, fluffy, and airy confection made with sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, and vanilla. This sweet treat, optionally topped with pecans, sets beautifully on wax paper and offers a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s perfect for sharing or gifting during holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Divinity Base
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Pecans (optional)
Tools
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Wax paper for lining baking sheets
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line 3 baking sheets with wax paper and lightly spray the surface with non-stick cooking spray. Set these aside to be ready for shaping the divinity.
- Make Sugar Syrup: In a 3.5-quart saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer, whisk together the sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Then increase the heat to high without stirring and cook the syrup until it reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit on the candy thermometer.
- Beat Egg Whites: While the syrup cooks, beat the egg whites in a stand mixer until stiff peaks form. This will provide the fluffy base for your divinity.
- Combine Syrup and Egg Whites: Once the syrup hits 250 degrees Fahrenheit, slowly and carefully stream the hot syrup into the egg whites while the mixer is running on low speed. Continue streaming for about 2 minutes to fully incorporate the syrup and egg whites together.
- Add Vanilla and Beat Further: Add the pure vanilla extract to the mixture. Then increase the mixer speed to medium and continue beating the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it loses its shiny appearance and becomes thick enough to hold its shape when spooned. If the mixture or mixer gets hot during this process, turn off the mixer and allow it to rest for 2 to 3 minutes every five minutes to cool down and prevent overbeating.
- Test Mixture Consistency: Spoon a small amount onto wax paper. The divinity should no longer spread and should hold its shape. If it spreads out, continue mixing until it holds firm shapes.
- Spoon Onto Sheets: Working quickly, use two spoons sprayed with non-stick cooking spray to scoop and scrape spoonfuls of divinity onto the prepared wax paper. Gently swirl the top with the spoon to smooth the surface. Optionally, place a pecan on top of each piece for added flavor and decoration.
- Allow to Set: Let the divinity candy sit on the wax paper for about 1 hour to fully set and harden.
- Serve or Store: Serve the divinity immediately or store it in an airtight container for up to two weeks to maintain freshness.
Notes
- You can use a cookie scoop sprayed with non-stick cooking spray to portion the divinity onto wax paper faster and with uniform sizes, although this method results in less smooth tops compared to using spoons.
- Ensure the candy thermometer is accurate for proper syrup cooking temperature; undercooked syrup will make divinity too soft and overcooked will make it hard and brittle.
- Be cautious when streaming hot syrup into egg whites to avoid splashing and burns.
- If the divinity mixture becomes too warm during mixing, resting helps to cool it and achieve the perfect texture.
- Store divinity in a cool, dry place to prevent it from becoming sticky.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
