5 from 6 votes

Light and Fluffy Divinity Candy Recipe

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Light and Fluffy Southern Divinity Candy with bits of pecan is the perfect Christmas holiday candy. Super sweet and fun to eat, this slightly chewy delicious confection takes a little patience but is worth the wait. 

divinity candy are perfect tiny sugary clouds of vanilla and bits of pecan rolled into a light meringue style dessert treat
Southern Candy Recipe

Divinity Candy Recipe

Divinity candy, named because of how “divine” the light and fluffy sugar based candy really is, is a Southern based pecan filled cloud.

Before setting out to make divinity, please note that working with egg whites requires patience. Additionally, the temperature in your home cannot be too humid or hot and because of this, Divinity candy is often a Christmas treat (especially for the South). 

If you have never had divinity before, its like a meringue and is considered a classic, old fashioned family treat.  

Scroll to the bottom for a printable version of this post, including all measurements and instructions, so you can follow along in your kitchen without being on your phone. 

Here is what you need to gather to get started: 

  • white sugar
  • corn syrup
  • water
  • salt
  •  egg whites
  • chopped pecans or walnuts
  • vanilla

RELATED CANDY RECIPES: Butter Mints , Peanut Butter Fudge, Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe, Christmas Cream Cheese Mints

Divinity Candy Tips

You need to use a large saucepan because at about 225 degrees the mixture begins to triple in size as it boils and bubbles up and can boil over!

You need a candy thermometer because it will take a bit to come to 260 degrees.

I let mine set overnight, but if made in winter, can usually let it set for 4-6 hours to harden.

This takes about 20-25 minutes to make and then time to harden.

Note on shape: This is a recipe that you have to make over and over again and then you’ll perfect the dollop. I am not that great at making a perfect dollop! 

 

there are two important steps in candy making
While your sugar mixture is heating up, you start to beat the egg whites

How to make Divinity Candy 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Add sugar, corn syrup, water and salt to a large saucepan and heat on medium heat for 8-10 minutes until a candy thermometer reaches 260 degrees.

*While the mixture above is cooking, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.

 

you need a thermometer to make divinity
Make sure you have a candy thermometer – also your mixture will rise so use an extra large sauce pan

Remove from heat and slowly stream sugar mixture into egg white mixture while mixer is beating on high speed.

It will take 2-3 minutes to pour the candy into the egg whites.

Continue to beat candy on high for 6 minutes or until mixture holds shape.

Fold in chopped nuts and vanilla and mix well.

candy will solidify and ready to mix in the nuts
Once the candy is ready you can transfer to parchment to dry

Butter two spoons and drop rounded tablespoons of candy onto prepared parchment sheet.

Let divinity candy set, overnight until dry.

Store in an airtight container.

Makes 20-24 candies.

no oven needed to dry out your divinity
In a non humid environment, divinity candy dries right on the counter over night

 

Have questions or tips on this recipe?

Please come back and let me know how it worked for you! Your feedback allows me to grow and improve my recipes. 

 

super easy simple flavorful mouthwatering candy
Delicious divinity candy recipe that makes making divinity easy!

 

 

5 from 6 votes

Light and Fluffy Divinity Candy


Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 day 40 minutes
Additional Time 1 day
Divinity candy is a light and fluffy Southern confection that is a staple for holiday candy desserts and with loads of pecan pieces, a very common confection in the south.

Ingredients
 

  • 2-1/4 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • How to make Divinity Candy 
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • *While the mixture below is cooking, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add sugar, corn syrup, water and salt to a large saucepan and heat on medium heat for 8-10 minutes until a candy thermometer reaches 260 degrees.
  • Remove from heat and slowly stream into egg white mixture while mixer is beating on high speed.
  • It will take 2-3 minutes to pour the cand
  • y into the egg whites.
  • Continue to beat on high for 6 minutes or until mixture holds shape.
  • Fold in chopped nuts and vanilla and mix well.
  • Butter two spoons and drop rounded tablespoons of candy onto prepared parchment sheet.
  • Let divinity candy set, overnight until dry. Store in an airtight container.
  • Makes 20-24 candies.

Notes

Can you freeze Divinity Candy? This candy is made of sugar and egg whites, so its very susceptible to breakage. While you COULD freeze it, I do not recommend it. 
How long can you Store Divinity Candy? Typically, if kept dry, 1-2 weeks. 
My divinity is not Setting: If its too hot or humid, its difficult for the egg whites to dry and set. 
Additional Divinity Tips that may help you while cooking
  1. You need to use a large saucepan because at about 225 degrees the mixture begins to triple in size as it boils and bubbles up and can boil over!
  2. You need a candy thermometer because it will take a bit to come to 260 degrees.
  3. I let mine set overnight, but if made in winter, can usually let it set for 4-6 hours to harden.
  4. This takes about 20-25 minutes to make and then time to harden.
  5. Note on shape: This is a recipe that you have to make over and over again and then you'll perfect the dollop. I am not that great at making a perfect dollup! 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 32mg | Sugar: 39g

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.

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5 from 6 votes
5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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5 Comments

  1. Looking forward to making some of your wonderful recipes. Would love to receive posts from you but do not belong to Facebook. Do you send out weekly or daily posts? My address is below if you do. Thank you. Linda

    1. Linda, its something I am working on but do not have set up yet. Most people do not want “another” email so I have been hesitant to send it out. I am happy to hear you are interested so Ill spend some time seeing if its something I can incorporate here! Thank you SO much!
      Also if by any chance you have Pinterest, the recipes are also added here – https://www.pinterest.com/SaltySideDish/_created/
      Trisha

  2. Donna Carter says:

    I came across your recipe and it brought back some really, Precious Memories for me. Me , my mom and my granny use to make divinity every year for Christmas gifts. So much fun.
    They both have left me now and I haven’t made it since. My sweet granny died in 1986 & Mom died in 2014, so it’s been a few yrs.
    While looking at your recipe, it has encouraged me to try it on my own this year, so; thank you for putting your recipe out here . I think it was, My Christmas miracle.
    I’ll post a picture as soon as I make it and show how it turns out.
    Merry Christmas to you all.

    1. Trisha Haas says:

      So glad this recipe invoked some positive memories for you. Let us know how it goes!

    2. Diane Dowding says:

      I just stumbled upon this recipe as I reminisce about my mom making divinity for every holiday when I was young. I have not had it in years. My mom passed in 2016, she was born in 1927. I am now 54 and miss her special holiday treats and delicious holiday dinners. My husband got me a kitchen aide stand up mixer for Christmas and can’t wait to make my mom’s divinity now. Thank you for sharing a similar special memory!
      Mom’s are special,
      Diane 🙂