Mama's Divinity

If you've never had Divinity, you're missing a true southern treat. White and creamy when done right, yellowish and hard as a rock when done incorrectly; it's somewhat of a temperamental candy to make. If you've never made candy before, I'd recommend having a helper in the kitchen for your first time.

The following recipe is courtesy of my Mama.

3 c white sugar
½ c water
½ c light corn syrup

Place all ingredients into a heavy-bottomed pot with a handle. Stir all ingredients together initially, just to combine. Cook over medium heat until the syrup comes to 248 or hard-ball stage on a candy thermometer. Do not stir syrup while it’s cooking.

Additional ingredients:
2 egg whites
1 c chopped pecans

While the syrup cooks, beat two egg whites till stiff peaks form. Set aside until syrup reaches the correct temperature. Once the syrup is ready, turn on your mixer and begin pouring the syrup into the egg whites in a thin trickle. Be careful because the syrup will be extremely hot. Do not be tempted to pour it all at once because the mix will clump together. Once all the syrup is incorporated into the whites, continue to mix until candy starts to cool. Turn off the mixer and beat the candy by hand with a wooden spoon. Add nuts. Stir until the candy starts to hold shape and loses some of its gloss. Using two teaspoons quickly drop spoonfuls of candy onto a piece of parchment paper.

**Notes**
-A candy thermometer works best, but if you do not have one you can tell the candy is done by holding a teaspoonful of the syrup over the pot and watching to see if thin threads begin to “spin” off of the spoon.
-Also, you can check to see if the syrup is done by pouring a small amount into a cup of cold water. If it crackles and turns hard like a lollipop, it’s done.
-Stirring the syrup while it’s cooking will cause the candy to be hard and brittle.
-Using a stand-mixer is best, but you can also use a hand mixer if you’re very careful.
-Can use additional pecans if desired.
-It won't turn out if you make it on a rainy day.

One more note...
Making candy is becoming a lost art, unfortunately; and while I think you should try to make your own Divinity, I understand that life is busy. Seems like there are never enough hours in the day. Here is a link to the Savannah Candy Kitchen located in Savannah, Georgia. They sell Divinity, along with some of the best old-fashioned candy this side of the Mason-Dixon line. The Chocolate Gophers are to die for- trust me!

They also do mail order, just so ya know. ;)