Southern Divinity Candy Classic (Printable Version)

Snowy white candy with whipped egg whites, sugar syrup, and crunchy nuts, perfect for holidays.

# What You'll 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
02 - In a heavy saucepan, mix 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 - Beat egg whites in a stand or hand mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.
05 - Slowly pour the hot syrup in a thin stream into whipped egg whites while mixing on high.
06 - Continue beating the mixture until thick, glossy, and holding shape, about 6 to 8 minutes.
07 - Beat in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
08 - Quickly fold the chopped nuts into the mixture.
09 - Rapidly drop tablespoon-sized portions onto the prepared baking sheets.
10 - Let the candy stand at room temperature until set and dry, approximately 2 hours.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's impossibly light and melts like candy-flavored air, making it feel fancier than it actually is.
  • Once you nail the technique, you'll understand why this old-fashioned candy has survived generations of holiday tables.
02 -
  • Humidity is your enemy—make divinity on a dry day, and if you live somewhere humid, pick a cooler morning when moisture levels are lower or it will refuse to set properly.
  • The candy should go from whipped egg whites to dropped pieces in minutes; if it sits too long in the bowl, it hardens and becomes impossible to work with.
03 -
  • If your divinity turns out too soft, you either didn't beat it long enough or your syrup didn't reach 250°F—next time, use a reliable thermometer and set a timer for that full 6–8 minute beating phase.
  • For extra festive divinity, place a pecan half on top of each piece right after dropping it on the sheet, or dust with colored sugar before it sets completely.
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