Divinity Recipe 475

GRANDMA'S DIVINITY

Steps:

• Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line three 15x10x1-in. pans with waxed paper., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup; bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Cook, without stirring, over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 252° (hard-ball stage). Just before the temperature is reached, beat egg whites on medium speed until stiff peaks form., Slowly add hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over egg whites, beating constantly and scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add vanilla. Beat until candy holds its shape, 5-6 minutes. (Do not overmix or candy will get stiff and crumbly.) Immediately fold in pecans., Quickly drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto prepared pans. Let stand at room temperature until dry to the touch. Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature.

DIVINITY

Steps:

• Cook sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart pot over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. (On humid days, use 1 tablespoon less water.) Cook, without stirring, to 260 degrees on candy thermometer (or hard ball stage).
• Beat egg whites in 1-1/2-quart bowl until stiff peaks form. Continue to beat while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites. Add vanilla; beat until mixture holds its shape and becomes slightly dull. (Mixture may become too stiff for electric mixer). Fold in nuts (if you choose).
• Drop from buttered spoon onto waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature, turning candy over once, until outside of candy is firm--at least 12 hours. Store in airtight container.

OLD-FASHIONED DIVINITY CANDY

Steps:

• In a heavy, 2 quart saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, hot water, and salt. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Then cook to hard ball stage without stirring, 250 degrees F (120 degrees C.) Frequently wipe crystals forming on the sides of the pan, using a pastry brush dipped in water. Remove from heat.
• Just as the syrup is reaching temperature, begin whipping egg whites: In a large glass or stainless steel mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Pour hot syrup in a thin stream over beaten egg whites, beating constantly with the electric mixer at medium speed. Increase speed to high, and continue beating for about 5 minutes. Add vanilla; continue beating until the mixture becomes stiff and begins to lose its gloss. If it is too stiff, add a few drops hot water.
• Immediately drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. For a decorative flair, twirl the top with the spoon when dropping. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

EASY DIVINITY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Line 2 large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper.
• Place dry frosting mix, corn syrup, vanilla and boiling water in bowl of electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Mix on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed 5 to 7 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until stiff peaks form. On low speed, gradually beat in powdered sugar, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in nuts. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto lined cookie sheets.
• Bake 5 minutes; remove from oven. Slide parchment paper with candies from cookie sheet onto cooling rack. Let stand about 4 hours on parchment paper or until tops of candies feel firm. Remove candies from parchment paper, using small icing spatula to loosen edges if needed. Turn candies over, and place bottom sides up on cooling racks. Allow candies to dry at least 12 hours. Store in airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

DIVINITY

Steps:

• Cook sugar, corn syrup and water (use 1 tablespoon less water on humid days) in 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking, without stirring, to 260°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a hard ball that holds its shape but is pliable.
• Beat egg whites in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Continue beating while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites, beating constantly on medium speed. (For best results, use electric stand mixer, not a portable handheld mixer since beating time is about 10 minutes and mixture is thick.) Add vanilla. Beat until mixture holds its shape and becomes slightly dull. (Mixture may become too stiff for mixer.) Gently stir in nuts.
• Drop mixture from buttered spoon onto waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature at least 12 hours, turning candies over once, until candies feel firm. Store in airtight container.

DIVINITIES

Steps:

• Mix 4 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup and 3/4 cup water in a saucepan, then cook over medium heat without stirring until 250 degrees on a candy thermometer. Beat 3 egg whites until firm; drizzle the hot syrup into the whites and beat until stiff. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 cups chopped hazelnuts or pecans. Shape into small balls with buttered hands, then roll in more chopped nuts and cool.