How to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (2024)

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by Alea Milham 27 Comments

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How to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (1)How to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (2)

I am going to beg the forgiveness of all of my healthy readers in advance. I have already secured it from my IRL friends by letting them serve as taste testers for this delicious homemade divinity recipe. 🙂

I enjoy baking and making candy during the holiday season, but when doing a lot of baking the cost can add up. The great thing about divinity candy is it is made from items that most people have on hand and all of the ingredients are fairly inexpensive except for the nuts, which are optional. It makes a great food gift because it has the “wow factor”. People think it is hard to make, but I am going to break it down into steps so you can see how easy it is.

How to Make Divinity – Candy Recipe and Tips

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Equipment Needed:

Freestanding mixer
candy thermometer

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan, mix sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook over a medium-high heat, while stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.

How to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (3)How to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (4)

Clip candy thermometer to the pan. Continue cooking over medium-high heat without stirring until it reaches 260 degrees ( hard-ball stage).

Once you no longer need to stir the sugar mixture, you can prepare the egg white. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium until they form stiff peaks, when pushed with a spoon.

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Gradually pour the hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over the egg whites, while the mixer is still set on medium ( I am wondering if I should have vlogged this step?!?) After all of the hot mixture has been added to the egg whites, increase speed to high and beat for about 3 minutes.

Turn off mixer and scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla. Continue beating on high until the candy starts to lose its gloss ( about 5-6 minutes). When beaters are lifted, the candy should fall in a thick ribbon and form a mound.

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Stir in nuts, if you like, then drop with a tablespoon ( I use a 1 tablespoon cookie dough scoopHow to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (9)) onto wax paper.

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Let them set until they have cooled and the outer layer has become somewhat dry and not sticky ( 1 –2 hours). Store in an airtight container.

Printable Divinity Candy Recipe

4.6 from 5 reviews

Divinity

How to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (12)

Print

Author: Alea

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

  1. In a medium sauce pan, mix sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook over a medium-high heat, while stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.
  2. Clip candy thermometer to the pan. Continue cooking over medium-high heat without stirring until it reaches 260 degrees ( hard-ball stage).
  3. Once you no longer need to stir the sugar mixture, you can prepare the egg white. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium until they form stiff peaks, when pushed with a spoon.
  4. Gradually pour the hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over the egg whites, while the mixer is still set on medium.After all of the hot mixture has been added to the egg whites, increase speed to high and beat for about 3 minutes.
  5. Turn off mixer and scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla. Continue beating on high until the candy starts to lose its gloss ( about 5-6 minutes). When beaters are lifted, the candy should fall in a thick ribbon and form a mound.
  6. Stir in nuts, if you like, then drop with a tablespoon ( I use a 1 tablespoon cookie dough scoop) onto wax paper.
  7. Let them set until they have cooled and the outer layer has become somewhat dry and not sticky ( 1 –2 hours). Store in an airtight container.

More Homemade Candy Recipes:

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe

Traditional Toffee Recipe

Pumpkin Pie Fudge

Chai Spiced Divinity with Pecans

Homemade Candy Round Up

What treats do you enjoy making during the holidays?

About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. Ann says

    I did try this year thre times but not using your recipe, just thinking! Could I have messed up by keeping my mixer on high from being to end? Having company for dinner this evening, this will be on my mind all night, but weather may stop me I am in Mississippi

    Reply

  2. Shelly says

    Do you have any helpful hints on how to get it from the bowl to a tray? I do not seem to do it with any consistency.

    Reply

  3. Lynn Miller says

    I used my Kitchenaid stand mixer with whisk attachment. I followed the time whipping minutes at first but the final whipping minutes I cut down to 3 minutes and it still came out dry.

    Reply

    • Alea Milham says

      Don’t use the whisk attachment.

      Reply

  4. Roz says

    This is a great recipe. So easy to follow and the divinity is great. I slightly toasted my pecans before chopping them and adding to the mixture.

    Reply

  5. Lisa says

    THANK YOU!!! his is my husband’s favorite candy. My husband and I have been married 16 years, and for 15 of those years I have attempted to make, and fail miserably at making this particular confection (they’d never set, always a gooey, runny mess, that he scraped into a bowl and ate by the spoonful anyway) And thanks to your step by step tutorial WITH PICTURES and times and everything, I can finally say that year 16 of attempting, I FINALLY DID IT!! I can’t wait to surprise him when he gets home 🙂 Thank you so much again!

    Reply

    • Alea Milham says

      I am so happy my recipe was able to help you make your husband’s favorite candy! He sounds like a great guy!

      Reply

  6. Jane says

    I have tried for years to master this along with my father as we both loved it when I grew up. As he passed this year, I wanted to try again to master this. Your instructions made it a success. Thank you for helping me to honor his memory with this shared treat.

    Reply

    • Alea Milham says

      Thank you for your kind words. I am so pleased that my recipe was able to help you honor your father’s memory. Focusing on the things you both enjoyed is a lovely way to honor him!

      Reply

  7. Chassity Hawkins says

    I’ve tried making divinity twice now, the first time was way to dry, the second time was way to soft and to marshmallowey. Both were different recipes. I’m going to try this for the 3rd attempt and hopefully the 3rd time is a charm!! I’m determined to get this right! Any tips or tricks?

    Reply

  8. Raquel says

    Love this! I have never made Divinity before Alea! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  9. Leigh says

    Oh it’s been years since I have made divinity. I must try it again!

    Reply

  10. Regina says

    I have a lot of leftover divinity from a party. Any ideas how to turn it into something else?

    Reply

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How to Make Divinity Candy - Recipe and Tips with Picture Tutorial (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my divinity candy set up? ›

If your divinity candy fails to harden, add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and beat again. Allow it to rest for about 15 minutes. This will absorb more moisture and will allow your sweet treat to harden. If you want your divinity candy to soften up a bit add hot water a tablespoon at a time and beat it again.

Why is divinity hard to make? ›

As sugar attracts water, any humidity or moisture in the air can affect how your divinity turns out. Divinity should be dry and set within two hours, but have patience.

Why is my divinity not fluffy? ›

There could be several reasons that your divinity did not turn out fluffy: The syrup was not at the right temperature when it was added to the egg whites. The egg white and syrup mixture was not beaten long enough. The humidity was too high.

How long does it take for divinity to set up? ›

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.

Why is my divinity not holding its shape? ›

Just like any other divinity, you must beat it long enough, so don't lose patience with the process! Mixture will thicken once you beat in enough cool air and it begins to look dull and not shiny. If you try to drop it when it is still too hot and thin, it will not hold its shape and it is not ready!

Does humidity affect making divinity candy? ›

Consider this: divinity hates humidity. It's best to make divinity on a cool, dry day. If it's humid (over 50%) or rainy, the candy might end up with a more gooey, or grainy texture.

What to do with failed divinity? ›

But if your divinity fails to harden, you can beat in two tablespoons of powdered sugar and allow the mixture to rest a few minutes; if the candy hardens too much, you can blend in hot water a tablespoon at a time until the perfect, fluffy consistency is reached.

Why is my divinity chewy? ›

Why is my Divinity chewy or crumbly? If the texture of your divinity just isn't right, it may be that your temperature was off. Make sure to cook your sugar syrup to 260°F, and beat your egg white-syrup mixture until it loses its glossy sheen for the right final consistency.

What causes divinity to be sticky? ›

Because of the high sugar content, divinity needs dry air to dry itself. On high humidity days, the divinity will absorb moisture from the air. This means the divinity will have a gooey texture to it.

What is the best way to store divinity candy? ›

Layer fudge pieces or divinity between waxed paper in an airtight container to prevent from quickly drying out. Store at room temperature up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

What's the difference between divinity and nougat? ›

Divinity has a sweet and creamy flavor with hints of vanilla, while nougat offers a sweet and nutty taste.

Can you freeze divinity in the fridge? ›

Yes, divinity can be frozen for up to one year! Flash freeze the candy for a few hours or up to overnight, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature.

What is the shelf life of divinity? ›

Product Care and Storage
ProductShelf Life
Divinity Rounds2 weeks
Divinity Bars8 weeks
Gummi items24 weeks
Fudge (all flavors)4 weeks
34 more rows

Does divinity have to be refrigerated? ›

It does not need to be refrigerated but should be consumed within a week of making!

What beater to use for divinity? ›

KitchenAid recommends using the wire whip for making divinity candy.

What can I do with divinity that didn't set up? ›

But if your divinity fails to harden, you can beat in two tablespoons of powdered sugar and allow the mixture to rest a few minutes; if the candy hardens too much, you can blend in hot water a tablespoon at a time until the perfect, fluffy consistency is reached.

Why is my candy not setting? ›

The simple answer is that there is too much moisture in your candy. One or more factors could be contributing to this problem. In hard candy making, it is important to cook all the water out of the sugar/corn syrup/water mixture.

Why does divinity fail? ›

You can't make it if it is "too" humid or if it's raining. The moisture in the air will keep the candy from setting and drying properly.

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