As long as I can remember Mom has made Divinity . . but only at Christmas time. I love it .. too much! I had never watched mom make it and while it isn’t hard, it’s a bit tedious and I wanted to watch her make it before I tried it myself. Yesterday we made it together and now I can do it on my own . . I think! Most recipes for divinity require that it be made on a day when the humidity is low but in southwest Louisiana, we wouldn’t have many days when we could make divinity because the humidity is rarely low. But, the recipe mom uses can be made on a humid day .. on a rainy day or on a dry day and it always works. Mom said she’s never had a batch not work.
Mom and Dad went to run some errands and I made another batch of fruit cakes while they were gone so now we have fruit cake and divinity.
Here’s Mom’s No Fail Divinity:
In a small pot, place 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Boil to 238º.
In a large pot, place 3 cups sugar, 1 cup light Karo syrup and one cup water. Boil to 260º.
Put the larger pot on the stove a few minutes before putting the smaller pot. Cook slowly so the syrup doesn’t scorch. If the smaller pot reaches its temp before the larger pot, just keep the smaller pot on very, very low until the larger pot is ready.
In a large mixing bowl, beat 3 egg whites til stiff. Add 1 tsp. vanilla.
Pour syrup from small pot into large pot. Stir til well blended.
With the mixer running, slowly (very slowly – just a drizzle) pour the syrup into the egg whites. Beat until it begins to get glossy and begins to hold it’s shape when a spoonful is lifted. Add 2 – 3 cups pecans. Stir them into the mixture and working very quickly, spoon onto waxed paper.
It helps to have two people working because with just one, the candy will start to set up before you get it all spooned out. Mom and I used two teaspoons each . . one to dip and one to scrape the candy out of the other spoon onto the waxed paper.
And you’ll always need a tester to be sure it’s perfect!
Hilary McDaniel says
I thought u lived in Missouri, not LA. Candy looks good but too sweet for me
Sherry says
Too sweet? Is there such a thing? I haven’t had divinity since I was a child when my mom and aunt used to make it once a year. I just might have to try it again. Thanks Judy.
Judy Laquidara says
I’m with Sherry . . I don’t think I’ve ever had anything too sweet. I love sugar!
Angie says
Judy, That sounds just like my mother in law’s Divinity recipe. She passed away 2 yrs. ago, but loved to tint some of the white Divinity pink and green. She had this little plastic tree with arms that extend out in the shape of Christmas tree—which I have inherited. She would place the Divinity around on the little plastic tree branches. Very pretty as dinner centerpiece. Question: Does you mother have a Kitchenaid Mixer? My older Sunbeam mixer really struggles with the last step beating process of making this recipe. Hey, maybe I need a new Kitchen Aide mixer? If so, which model? Your Dad looks great after his heart problems.
Patti says
Your Dad is so adorable!
Diana W. says
I agree, I love the candy tester!
Kathy E. says
ooooooo…. You have “flung a craving on me”!! My mom and grandmother always made divinity, but I have never done any. I WILL save this recipe. I probably won’t get any made this year, but perhaps another time. Thanks so much for sharing!
Kat in Tamale Land
Quiltinggranna says
So glad to get a guaranteed tried and true recipe I may actually have to try–I know it can be persnickety! One question I have is do you begin both pots cooking at the same time and remove the smaller one when it reaches proper temp, and add to the other pot when it reaches temp? My dad made this every year at Christmas and I have never been brave enough to try it.
katie z. says
I just made divinity for the first time today! I had to do a corn syrup since I didn’t have any in the house and didn’t want to buy any (what do I do with the rest of it?). It was yummy.
Mary C in WA says
You are so tempting us all this week with your Christmas treat baking and cooking! My mom made the Divinity and I have never had mine turn out, one year we had Patties, flatter than a pancake. I might have to try your mom’s method. I saw this on FB “More snacks mean bigger slacks”
Pat says
I, too, was curious about the same thing Quiltinggranna asked. I was thinking if I did the first pot and then when it was done, I did the second pot….that the first one would have cooled down too much to mix well with the second pot. So……I guess there are at least two of us who need a little bit more “coaching” about this! LOL
Perry says
Judy, are you beating the egg whites until they have stiff peaks? Aud and I were talking about making some divinity today. I used to make it all the time, but haven’t in years. I remember my recipe was one of those that you didn’t make on a humid day. Will have to find it, it is my grandmother’s. Thanks for sharing this, as usual you are a wonderful inspiration.
Vicky says
I love divinity. My dear sweet aunt used to make it at Christmastime just for me!!!!
Gwen. says
Thank you for the recipe! I am going to try this soon! I have never seen a recipe with two different syrups before. That must be the secret to not having to worry about humidity. I haven’t tried any since I have had my Kitchen Aid. Burned out the motor on an old cheap stand mixer. The last time I tried it was with DMIL’s old Sunbeam and it was very sticky! I love that you drop it! So many recipes put it in a pan like fudge and cut squares. That’s not the way I grew up with it being done. We dropped like you.
Jackie Warren says
Your divinity looks like the divinity I usually make. However my recipe is lots simplier, maybe it isn’t really divinity..?? Anyway the recipe is on a box of Betty Crocker Fluffy White frosting mix. You mix the frosting mix with corn syrup, vanilla, boiling water and a box of pwd sugar. Beat until it forms stiff peaks, then drop by teaspoons onto wax paper. I make it in the afternoon, then before going to bed, I turn each piece over so that it can dry completely. Sometimes I make red or green and of course add pecans. I have used this recipe for years and it has never failed. It’s all so good. Isn’t the Christmas season fun….Love your blog. Your friend from across the state line.
Denise says
Where do I send my resume to apply to be next year’s taste tester?? 🙂
JudyL says
You can come to my house any time and taste test everything I make!
jayayceeblog says
Oh, this brings back memories. I grew up with my great grandmother making the best divinity. I’ve never had any like it since and I’ve never been able to make it. I might have to give your recipe a whirl!
Lizzy Hentze says
Question from Down Under! What is divinity? Is it like a nougat? I might have to try to make some if it’s that good!
Marie says
Oh the memories!! Last time I made divinity was 1988 for my Dad for Christmas. Then Dad passed away in January of 1989. I just couldn’t make it, but maybe this year I’ll make a batch as I am making Christmas Care Tins for my girls and their families. Cookies, fudge, haystacks and now divinity will be a part of this Care Tin. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Marie says
Judy, Sorry for posting twice, but years ago when I made divinity all the time, I use to make Pecan Logs too. Once the divinity is ready to spoon, I would make logs, maybe 4 or 5 inches long and an inch or two around, whatever you like. When they set up, I would roll them in melted caramels and then roll them in chopped up pecans. Put them on waxed paper and let them dry. Now I remember why I quit baking so much. Oh gosh these are sooo good!!
Mary L says
I don’t eat very many sweets but have to agree that divinity is one of the special treats for the holidays. For mine, I prefer black walnuts.