Walnut Divinity Recipes

JEWELED DIVINITY

Steps:

• Butter a straight-sided 8-inch square cake pan and set aside. Line with a single sheet of parchment paper.
• Attach a candy thermometer to the side of a saucepan. Add the sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water to the pan and bring to boil, stirring until the sugar has just dissolved. Continue to cook until the syrup reaches 255 to 260 degrees F on the candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• When the syrup reaches temperature, slowly (and carefully) drizzle it into the egg whites with the mixer on high. Once the syrup is fully added, pour in the vanilla and continue to beat until the mixture is no longer glossy and holds its shape, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and, moving quickly, fold 1 cup of the gummy candies into the mixing bowl using a wooden spoon. Transfer the mix to the prepared pan and do your best to spread into an even layer--it will be very sticky. Sprinkle the remaining candies over the top, lightly pressing them in to ensure they stay.
• Allow the divinity to cool completely, about 1 hour. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares and store in an airtight container.

DIVINITY CANDY

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring just until sugar dissolves, and cook until syrup reaches 250 degrees (firm-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, starting on low and gradually increasing to high, beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form. If peaks form before the syrup reaches 250 degrees, reduce speed and keep mixer running on low.
• With the mixer on medium speed, add the syrup in a slow, steady stream (taking care not to hit the whisk or side of the bowl). Add vanilla. Increase speed to high and continue to whisk until mixture holds it shape and begins to lose its gloss, 10 to 20 minutes. Prepare a small bowl of hot water for dipping and a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or two spoons; line up miniature candy cups on a baking sheet.
• Working quickly, use cookie scoop or spoons to drop 1 heaping tablespoon candy into each cup, dipping scoop into hot water as needed to prevent sticking. Press pecans into candy. Let candy cool completely, at least 6 hours and up to overnight. Candy can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

OLD-FASHIONED DIVINITY CANDY

Steps:

• In a heavy, 2 quart saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, hot water, and salt. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Then cook to hard ball stage without stirring, 250 degrees F (120 degrees C.) Frequently wipe crystals forming on the sides of the pan, using a pastry brush dipped in water. Remove from heat.
• Just as the syrup is reaching temperature, begin whipping egg whites: In a large glass or stainless steel mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Pour hot syrup in a thin stream over beaten egg whites, beating constantly with the electric mixer at medium speed. Increase speed to high, and continue beating for about 5 minutes. Add vanilla; continue beating until the mixture becomes stiff and begins to lose its gloss. If it is too stiff, add a few drops hot water.
• Immediately drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. For a decorative flair, twirl the top with the spoon when dropping. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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.

WALNUT DIVINITY

Steps:

• Butter an 8-inch square glass-baking dish.
• Heat sugar, corn syrup, water and salt over low heat in a heavy 2-quart saucepan until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally.
• Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
• Boil, without stirring, until syrup reaches 265° (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
• Just before syrup reaches 265°, beat egg whites in a medium bowl of an electric mixer on high speed just until stiff peaks form.
• In a very slow steady stream, beat syrup into whites.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Continue beating about 6 minutes, or until mixture loses it's gloss.
• Fold in nuts with a rubber spatula.
• Pour candy into baking dish and spread evenly with a rubber spatula.
• Let cool to room temperature.
• Cut candy into 1-inch squares.
• (The divinity can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.).

ALMIGHTY CHOCOLATE DIVINITY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Toast the walnuts on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Process the walnuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade until finely chopped, about 8 to 10 seconds.
• Heat the granulated sugar, water and corn syrup in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil. Continue to boil, stirring often, until the temperature of the syrup reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit, about 5 minutes.
• As soon as the syrup begins boiling, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon whip. Whisk on high speed until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Change the mixer speed to medium. Carefully and slowly pour the 250 degree Fahrenheit syrup into the whisked egg whites and continue to whisk on medium until the meringue is very thick, about 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer. Working quickly, use a rubber spatula to fold the walnuts and then the chocolate morsels into the meringue creating a variegated mixture. Divide the mixture into 24 large heaping tablespoons onto a two large pieces of waxed paper, using a finger to push the mixture off the spoon onto the wax paper. Allow to cool to room temperature for about an hour before storing in a tightly sealed plastic container.

GRANDMA'S DIVINITY

Steps:

• Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line three 15x10x1-in. pans with waxed paper., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup; bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Cook, without stirring, over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 252° (hard-ball stage). Just before the temperature is reached, beat egg whites on medium speed until stiff peaks form., Slowly add hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over egg whites, beating constantly and scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add vanilla. Beat until candy holds its shape, 5-6 minutes. (Do not overmix or candy will get stiff and crumbly.) Immediately fold in pecans., Quickly drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto prepared pans. Let stand at room temperature until dry to the touch. Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature.