Divinity Candy is a classic Christmas treat that makes a great gift and party favor throughout the whole holiday season.
As we prepare for the holiday season, the struggle to find a treat that would be perfect for gift baskets and party trays becomes a real concern. In some ways, it can be difficult to find something that can be portable but keeps well at room temperature and won’t get destroyed in a gift bag.
Divinity Candies have been a classic American Christmas favorite for more than a century. They bring a soft, nougat-like flavor that is a unique, but homemade addition to your gift baskets.
Reflecting on the recent conclusion of what I call “the candy apple season”, I am reminded of how tricky it can be to make candy. Many can sympathize with the difficulty of getting your temperature just right to not overheat the candy, making a new treat entirely.
To counteract these difficulties, remember to ensure that you are measuring the temperature of the candy and not the pot. This means that you must ensure that the thermometer is not touching the bottom or sides of the pot, as this will greatly affect the reading.
old fashioned divinity
Also, it is helpful to know that the water is an ingredient that will vaporize and leave the recipe entirely as the candy gets heated. This is intentional, as the water is just there for efficient heating in the beginning.
However, water leaving the recipe is an important thing to know about because the temperature will stop climbing at precisely 212 °F, as water absorbs all of the energy as it boils-off.
Once it is gone, you need to be prepared for the temperature to climb quickly once again (be patient and don’t increase the output of the stove).
divinity dessert
Despite the intricacies of the candy-making process, the combination of the sugar with the egg whites will create a soft, candy that everyone is sure to love. As the candy is being made, the egg whites allow it to take on more of a whipped consistency, creating the desired effect.
Once cooled for about 6-8 hours, the candy should no longer be sticky. This makes it a perfect homemade recipe for adding to gift baskets and a good way to add toppings that will stay-put when put into a bag.
Here are some commonly asked questions
Why is the candy still sticky after letting it dry for 6-8 hours?
Due to the whipped consistency of the candy, it collects moisture from the atmosphere. If your humidity is > 50%, then the candy will remain sticky. Unfortunately, this means you have to pay attention to the weather and the relative humidity inside your home for this one.
Why do the egg whites have to be at room temperature?
This will affect the overall consistency of the candy. If the egg whites are not at room temperature, the mixture will be less whipped and denser.
Divinity Cookies
I don’t like the toppings called for in this recipe. Can I substitute them?
Yes, you can substitute the toppings in this recipe because they are added after all cooking of the candy is finished. Therefore, they will not affect the consistency of the candy.
Can I use a sugar substitute?
I have not personally tried it, so I can’t say how that would turn out. But if you would like to try it, I suggest a product that offers a 1:1 swap. Please let me know how it turns out.
How to make Divinity Candy?
- Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add a candy thermometer to a medium-heavy saucepan taking care to not let it rest against the side or bottom of the pan.
- Heat the sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat until it reaches the hard-ball stage (250- 260 °F).
- While the syrup is cooking, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Once the sugar reaches the proper temperature, remove it from the heat and very slowly AND VERY CAREFULLY pour it into the whipped egg white, whipping on high speed constantly.
- Add the vanilla and continue beating on high until candy holds its shape. (about 10- 15 minutes)
- Spray a cookie scoop or 2 spoons with cooking spray or cooking oil. Then drop scoops of candy onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Immediately add whole pecans on top or another garnish, if using.
- Allow the divinity to dry and harden for several hours or overnight at room temperature.
- Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Pecan Divinity
To make Divinity Candy You Will Need:
- granulated sugar
- light corn syrup
- cold water
- egg whites, room temperature
- vanilla extract
- Optional pecans, raisins, dried fruit, or sprinkles for garnish.
Try these easy no-bake treats
- Christmas Coal
- Peppermint Oreo Balls
- Easy No-Cook Fudge
- Peppermint Bark Cookies
- Christmas Puppy Chow
- Christmas Crack
Divinity Candy Recipe
The recipe does not say how long to whip the egg white mixture. How long do I do this?
The time will depend on your mixer, I found it best to beat on high speed for 5 minutes and then let the mixture and mixer rest for 2-3 minutes, then repeat several times.
What does it mean to beat the mixture until stiff peaks form?
This simply means that the mixture is so thoroughly beaten, that if you were to dip a spoon into it, then pull it out, the mix will make a point that stands by itself.
Recipe Divinity Candy
Products I love when making divinity candy…
This divinity recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made homemade candy before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this vintage candy recipe.
If you love this Easy Divinity Candy recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Homemade Candy Recipes
- Candied Pecans
- Buckeyes
- Meringue Cookies
- Easy No-Cook Fudge
- Oreo Peppermint Bark
- No-Bake Chocolate Haystacks
- Homemade Gumdrops
- Sugar Cookie Truffles
- Chocolate Nut Clusters
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
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Homemade Divinity Candy
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup of cold water
- 2 egg whites room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional pecans raisins, dried fruit, or sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add a candy thermometer to a medium-heavy saucepan taking care to not let it rest against the side or bottom of the pan.
- Heat the sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat until it reaches the hard-ball stage (250- 260 °F).
- While the syrup is cooking, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Once the sugar reaches the proper temperature, remove it from the heat and very slowly AND VERY CAREFULLY pour it into the whipped egg white, whipping on high speed constantly.
- Add the vanilla and continue beating on high until candy holds its shape. (about 10- 15 minutes)
- Spray a cookie scoop or 2 spoons with cooking spray or cooking oil. Then drop scoops of candy onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Immediately add whole pecans on top or another garnish, if using.
- Allow the divinity to dry and harden for several hours or overnight at room temperature.
- Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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