I am going to beg the forgiveness of all of my healthy readers in advance. I have already secured it from my IRL friends by letting them serve as taste testers for this delicious homemade divinity recipe. 🙂
I enjoy baking and making candy during the holiday season, but when doing a lot of baking the cost can add up. The great thing about divinity candy is it is made from items that most people have on hand and all of the ingredients are fairly inexpensive except for the nuts, which are optional. It makes a great food gift because it has the “wow factor”. People think it is hard to make, but I am going to break it down into steps so you can see how easy it is.
How to Make Divinity – Candy Recipe and Tips
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Equipment Needed:
Free standing mixer
candy thermometer
In a medium sauce pan, mix sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook over a medium-high heat, while stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.
Clip candy thermometer to the pan. Continue cooking over medium-high heat without stirring until it reaches 260 degrees ( hard-ball stage).
Once you no longer need to stir the sugar mixture, you can prepare the egg white. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium until they form stiff peaks, when pushed with a spoon.
Gradually pour the hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over the egg whites, while the mixer is still set on medium ( I am wondering if I should have vlogged this step?!?) After all of the hot mixture has been added to the egg whites, increase speed to high and beat for about 3 minutes.
Turn off mixer and scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla. Continue beating on high until the candy starts to lose its gloss ( about 5-6 minutes). When beaters are lifted, the candy should fall in a thick ribbon and form a mound.
Stir in nuts, if you like, then drop with a tablespoon ( I use a 1 tablespoon cookie dough scoop
) onto wax paper.
Let them set until they have cooled and the outer layer has become somewhat dry and not sticky ( 1 –2 hours). Store in an airtight container.
Printable Divinity Candy Recipe
- 2½ cups sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup water
- 2 egg whites
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- In a medium sauce pan, mix sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook over a medium-high heat, while stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Clip candy thermometer to the pan. Continue cooking over medium-high heat without stirring until it reaches 260 degrees ( hard-ball stage).
- Once you no longer need to stir the sugar mixture, you can prepare the egg white. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium until they form stiff peaks, when pushed with a spoon.
- Gradually pour the hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over the egg whites, while the mixer is still set on medium.After all of the hot mixture has been added to the egg whites, increase speed to high and beat for about 3 minutes.
- Turn off mixer and scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla. Continue beating on high until the candy starts to lose its gloss ( about 5-6 minutes). When beaters are lifted, the candy should fall in a thick ribbon and form a mound.
- Stir in nuts, if you like, then drop with a tablespoon ( I use a 1 tablespoon cookie dough scoop) onto wax paper.
- Let them set until they have cooled and the outer layer has become somewhat dry and not sticky ( 1 –2 hours). Store in an airtight container.
More Homemade Candy Recipes:
Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
Chai Spiced Divinity with Pecans
What treats do you enjoy making during the holidays?
Debra says
I just made this divinity tonight. My first time making it. I’m excited to see how it turns out. My husband said it was good after licking the spoons. haha
Lynn Miller says
I used my Kitchenaid stand mixer with whisk attachment. I followed the time whipping minutes at first but the final whipping minutes I cut down to 3 minutes and it still came out dry.
Alea Milham says
Don’t use the whisk attachment.
Roz says
This is a great recipe. So easy to follow and the divinity is great. I slightly toasted my pecans before chopping them and adding to the mixture.
Lisa says
THANK YOU!!! his is my husband’s favorite candy. My husband and I have been married 16 years, and for 15 of those years I have attempted to make, and fail miserably at making this particular confection (they’d never set, always a gooey, runny mess, that he scraped into a bowl and ate by the spoonful anyway) And thanks to your step by step tutorial WITH PICTURES and times and everything, I can finally say that year 16 of attempting, I FINALLY DID IT!! I can’t wait to surprise him when he gets home 🙂 Thank you so much again!
Alea Milham says
I am so happy my recipe was able to help you make your husband’s favorite candy! He sounds like a great guy!
Jane says
I have tried for years to master this along with my father as we both loved it when I grew up. As he passed this year, I wanted to try again to master this. Your instructions made it a success. Thank you for helping me to honor his memory with this shared treat.
Alea Milham says
Thank you for your kind words. I am so pleased that my recipe was able to help you honor your father’s memory. Focusing on the things you both enjoyed is a lovely way to honor him!
Chassity Hawkins says
I’ve tried making divinity twice now, the first time was way to dry, the second time was way to soft and to marshmallowey. Both were different recipes. I’m going to try this for the 3rd attempt and hopefully the 3rd time is a charm!! I’m determined to get this right! Any tips or tricks?
Raquel says
Love this! I have never made Divinity before Alea! Happy Thanksgiving!
Leigh says
Oh it’s been years since I have made divinity. I must try it again!
Regina says
I have a lot of leftover divinity from a party. Any ideas how to turn it into something else?