Irenes Divinity Recipes

EASY DIVINITY

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over low heat until a candy thermometer reaches 260°F.
• When the sugar mixture is close to 260°F, beat the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer on high speed. Beat until stiff peaks form.
• Slowly pour the heated sugar mixture into the bowl of beaten egg whites. Set the mixer on high speed and beat until the mixture holds its shape (15-20 minutes).
• Fold in the vanilla and finely chopped pecans. Spray 2 spoons with nonstick cooking spray. Use one spoon to push the candy off the other spoon onto the lined baking sheet.
• Let the divinity set for about an hour before serving.

DIVINITY

Steps:

• Cook sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart pot over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. (On humid days, use 1 tablespoon less water.) Cook, without stirring, to 260 degrees on candy thermometer (or hard ball stage).
• Beat egg whites in 1-1/2-quart bowl until stiff peaks form. Continue to beat while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites. Add vanilla; beat until mixture holds its shape and becomes slightly dull. (Mixture may become too stiff for electric mixer). Fold in nuts (if you choose).
• Drop from buttered spoon onto waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature, turning candy over once, until outside of candy is firm--at least 12 hours. Store in airtight container.

DIVINE DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a small heavy-bottomed pot dissolve the sugar in the corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil. Boil to thread stage (the candy thermometer should read between 223 to 234 degrees F). Brush down the inner wall of the pot with a heat-proof pastry brush and a small amount of water to prevent crystal formation.
• In the meantime beat egg whites with mixer and whisk attachment until they hold stiff but not dry peaks. Pour 2/3 of the boiled syrup mixture in a thin stream over the beaten egg whites, whisking all the time on high speed. Put the remaining mixture back on the heat and cook to soft ball stage (the candy thermometer should read between 234 to 240 degrees F). Whisk into the egg white mixture with the mixer on high speed. Add extract. Continue whisking until mixture forms stiff peaks.
• Pour into a buttered 9 by 13-inch pan. Let cool and cut. Store in an airtight container for chewier divinity or leave uncovered for a crispier texture.

PERFECT DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a 2 quart saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt.
• Cook to hardball stage, (260 degrees), stirring only until sugar dissolves.
• Meanwhile, as temperature of syrup reaches 250 degrees, beat egg white till stiff peaks form.
• When syrup reaches 260 degrees, very gradually add the syrup to egg whites, beating at high speed with electric mixer.
• Add vanilla and beat until candy holds its shape, 4-5 minutes.
• Stir in the chopped nuts or cherries, if desired.
• Quickly drop candy from a teaspoon onto waxed paper, swirling the top of each piece.
• Let cool.

IRENE'S DIVINITY

Steps:

• Beat egg whites until stiff; set aside. In saucepan, boil together sugar, corn syrup, and water to soft-ball stage (between 234°-240° on a candy thermometer). Pour 1/2 of syrup over beaten egg whites, beating it in. Boil remaining syrup to hard-ball stage (between 250°-265°); add slowly to mixture. Beat until right consistency for candy. Add a pinch of salt and flavor with vanilla. Stir in nuts. Drop by teaspoon on greased sheet. Store in covered tin.