Divinity Recipe

Name: Divinity
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 30 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 400 g granulated sugar; 120 ml light corn syrup; 120 ml water; 2 egg whites, at room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 100 g pecans, roughly chopped, plus pecan halves to decorate

Why This Divinity Recipe Works

Divinity is a Southern Christmas candy, a white, soft, cloud-like sweet, half meringue and half nougat, that is made by pouring hot sugar syrup into whipped egg whites and beating until it turns from glossy to matt and holds its shape. It has been made in American kitchens since the early twentieth century, and it is a fixture of Christmas tins in the South, where it is often studded with pecans. It also has a reputation for being difficult, and it deserves some of that. Divinity depends on the weather. Sugar attracts moisture from the air, so on a humid or rainy day the candy will not set, and it stays sticky and soft, which is why experienced cooks make it only on dry, cool days. The method needs care too. The syrup is boiled without stirring to 127°C, the hard-ball stage, and it must be poured into the egg whites in a slow, steady stream while the whites are being whipped, which is easiest with a stand mixer. The mixture is beaten for another five to eight minutes, until it loses its shine and begins to hold a peak, and it must be dropped onto paper at once, since it sets fast. When the candy is right, it has a light, airy texture that melts on the tongue, with a sweetness that is balanced by the toasted flavour of the pecans and a hint of vanilla.

How to Make Divinity

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Line two baking trays with baking parchment. Put the egg whites in the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk.
Put the sugar, corn syrup and water in a heavy saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Clip a candy thermometer on the pan and cook without stirring until the syrup reaches 127°C / 260°F, the hard-ball stage, about 10 to 12 minutes.
When the syrup reaches about 120°C / 248°F, start whisking the egg whites on high speed until they form stiff peaks.
With the mixer running on medium speed, pour the hot syrup into the whites in a thin, steady stream, pouring against the side of the bowl. Add the vanilla.
Beat on high speed for 5 to 8 minutes, until the mixture loses its gloss, holds a peak and starts to look matt. Fold in the chopped pecans.
Working quickly, drop rounded teaspoons onto the trays with two spoons, swirling the tops into peaks, and press a pecan half on each. Leave to set at room temperature for 1 hour, until firm on the outside.

Tips for Making Divinity

Make it on a dry day. Divinity will not set in humid weather, so check the forecast and pick a cool, dry day.
Pour the syrup in a thin stream, and do not scrape the pan. Crystals on the side of the pan can seed the whole batch and make it grainy.
Drop the candy as soon as the mixture loses its shine. If it is beaten too long, it stiffens in the bowl and cannot be shaped.

What to Serve with Divinity

Hot coffee
Christmas cookies
Fudge

Storing & Reheating Divinity

Keeps in an airtight tin, in layers with baking parchment, for up to 1 week. Do not refrigerate. It absorbs moisture and turns sticky in humid conditions.

Divinity FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Divinity take to make?

About 35 minutes of hands-on work — 20 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour of Setting, so allow 1 hour 35 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 30.

What are the key tips for making Divinity?

Make it on a dry day. Divinity will not set in humid weather, so check the forecast and pick a cool, dry day. Pour the syrup in a thin stream, and do not scrape the pan. Crystals on the side of the pan can seed the whole batch and make it grainy. Drop the candy as soon as the mixture loses its shine. If it is beaten too long, it stiffens in the bowl and cannot be shaped.

What should I serve with Divinity?

Hot coffee; Christmas cookies; Fudge.

How should Divinity be stored?

Keeps in an airtight tin, in layers with baking parchment, for up to 1 week. Do not refrigerate. It absorbs moisture and turns sticky in humid conditions.

Is Divinity suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Divinity?

About 99 kcal per serving, with 1 g protein, 17 g carbohydrate and 3 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Divinity Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

99Calories

1gProtein

17gCarbs

3gFat

0gFibre

15gSugar

10mgSodium

Vegetarian Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Low-Carb

Divinity

How to Make Divinity

Tips for Making Divinity

What to Serve with Divinity

Storing & Reheating Divinity

Divinity FAQ: Common Questions

Divinity Nutrition

Reader Reviews

Cooked this? Leave a review

How to Make Divinity

Tips for Making Divinity

What to Serve with Divinity

Storing & Reheating Divinity

Divinity FAQ: Common Questions

Divinity Nutrition

Reader Reviews

Cooked this? Leave a review

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