Classic Southern Divinity Candy (Printable Version)

Snowy white candy featuring whipped egg whites, sugar syrup, and crunchy nuts. A festive sweet treat.

# What You Need:

→ Sugar Syrup

01 - 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
02 - 1/2 cup light corn syrup
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Egg Whites

05 - 2 large egg whites, room temperature
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Nuts

07 - 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

# Directions:

01 - Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
02 - In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high and cook without stirring until syrup reaches 250°F (firm ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
04 - While syrup cooks, beat egg whites with a stand or hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
05 - Slowly pour hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites with mixer running on high speed.
06 - Continue beating until mixture thickens, becomes glossy, and holds its shape, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
07 - Beat in pure vanilla extract.
08 - Quickly fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the mixture.
09 - Drop tablespoonfuls of the candy onto prepared baking sheets, working rapidly.
10 - Allow to stand at room temperature until set and dry, about 2 hours.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like a cloud that somehow decided to become sweet and crunchy at the same time.
  • People genuinely think you spent hours making it, when you really only need 40 minutes.
  • No butter, no cream, no guilt—just pure, honest candy that melts on your tongue.
02 -
  • Humidity is the enemy—make divinity on a dry day or it won't set properly, staying slightly sticky instead of turning into that perfect light candy.
  • The syrup temperature matters more than anything else; even 5 degrees off changes the texture from perfect to disappointing.
03 -
  • If the mixture gets too stiff before you finish dropping it, spoon it into pieces instead of dropping it—slightly thicker divinity still tastes just as good.
  • Try topping each piece with a pecan half or candied fruit before it sets for a fancy presentation that barely takes extra effort.
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