"Divinity, the Right Way"

Back in the day, I used to make this for my church group functions and family Christmas Eve dinners. It became more of a contest later on because everybody else brought theirs too. They even gave out prizes for the best. This recipe won at least a couple of times.

Recipe

2 2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup water

2 egg whites (yes, you need to separate the eggs)

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup broken pecans(optional)

candy thermometer

Directions

Heat sugar, corn syrup and water in a 2 qt. sauce pan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Then, cook without stirring to 260 degrees on candy thermometer or until a small amount dropped onto very cold water forms a hard ball. Remove it from the heat. Beat egg whites until the stiff peaks form. Continue beating while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into the egg whites. Add the vanilla and beat until the mixture holds it's shape and becomes slightly dull. It may become too stiff for the mixer.

Fold in the pecans and then drop the mixture from the tip of a buttered spoon onto waxed paper.

Makes about 4 dozen candies.

Now, if it is a humid day or night that you are making them, you need to use, at least, a tablespoon less of the water. The draw back to making this candy is that it is so light and airy that it doesn't do well around humidity.

This became a tradition in my early family days. It was an initiation, if you will, that all of the girls in the family should learn to make "Divinity". It was at every church function during Christmas time, whether it be a dinner or choir practice.

Here's a fun fact. The name "Divinity" was believed, by some, that because of it's snow white nature and pure sugar sweet taste that, if made properly, melts in your mouth, is because it had some kind of connection or Holy bond, if you will. Well, it doesn't mean that at all. The name "Divinity" was given simply because it taste divine! There was never any religious value put on it whatsoever. It was believed to have been started in the 1900's and they added other ingredients to it like dried fruits such as apricots. I tried that once and it didn't seem to work for me very well.

But, back then they didn't use corn syrup. That ingredient was not added until well after the 1900's

Anyway, you don't really see a lot of this made anymore, except in confection stores around Christmas time. It is not the best thing for you health wise. Only serves to send you to the Dentist, upset the delicate balance of your digestion thus causing stomach distress. Not very merry, if you ask me. It's pretty and perfect looking all the while hiding the menacing fact that it can rot your teeth and ruin your appetite.

It's intimidating to make because it's a lot like making a glass object. You rely mainly on environment, temperature and luck! But, don't let it scare you, once you have the knack it's kind of a cool recipe to make at least once and a good physics lesson.

There are different ways to make Divinity but, I think that the ingredients are basically the same. But you can make different shapes, for instance, some people pour the whole thing into a pan, instead of dropping it by spoonfuls on waxed paper, and cutting it into squares. I have found a video that I think will help it not to be so intimidating because it is kind of an art.