Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
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Soft, chewy and snow white, this old fashioned divinity candy is made with just 4 simple ingredients! This nostalgic Southern candy has a sweet flavor, pillowy texture and tastes just like the version grandma used to make.

Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Table of Contents

  • Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Divinity Candy
  • Cooking Tips
  • Storing + Freezing
  • More Homemade Candy Recipes
  • Divinity Candy Printable Recipe

Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy Recipe

This is one of those classic old fashioned holiday desserts to make around Christmas time. Not only does it taste incredible, but the bright snow white color, similar to a meringue cookie, is perfect to add to a Christmas goodie plate. Divinity is a nougat like candy and the best way to describe it is as a marshmallow taffy.

My grandma made divinity candy every year at Christmas (along with cream cheese mints, homemade caramels and saltine cracker toffee). She always stored it in these metal film containers in the freezer and I love that I have one to store it in as well. Anytime someone would stop by, she would pull the divinity out to share.

Below is the recipe card she gave me. As you can see, it didn’t have many instructions so we had to call my grandpa to help us remember her tips and tricks. It took us a few times to get it just right, but I’m so happy with how it turned out. We all loved it!

Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (3)

Ingredients

  • Sugar: The bulk of the sweetness comes from the granulated sugar in this recipe.
  • Corn syrup: This helps create that chewy, taffy-like texture. Make sure to use light corn syrup.
  • Egg whites: These get whipped until stiff peaks form, much like a meringue.
  • Vanilla: For an extra boost of flavor, I always add a few teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
  • Pecans: These are optional, but I love the added flavor. You can either fold them into the batter or sprinkle a few on top of each piece.

How to Make Divinity Candy

Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (4)
  • PREPARE. Preparation is key for this recipe. Get out 2 baking sheets and line them with parchment or wax paper. Then place 2 small spoons and a knife on top. You’ll want to also have your electric mixer handy as well. Plug it in and add the beater attachment. Then pour the vanilla and egg whites into the bowl of your mixer, but don’t mix yet. It helps to have everything prepared and ready to go because you’ll need to work fast when making the candy.
  • BOIL. Add the sugar, corn syrup and water in a large sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Make sure to continue stirring the whole time so that the mixture doesn’t burn. Clip a candy thermometer to the pan.
  • WHIP. While the sugar boils, turn your electric mixer on and start whipping the egg whites and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  • MIX. When the sugar mixture has reached 240°F on your thermometer, turn the heat to medium high and drizzle half of the mixture slowly into the bowl with the egg whites. Place the pan back on the burner and cook until the temperature reaches 260°F. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the mixer and mix on high speed. When the other half of the sugar mixture reaches 260°F, pour it slowly into the egg whites. Scrape down the sides again and beat on high speed until it no longer has a glossy finish (about 5 to 10 minutes). Then fold in the pecans if desired.
  • SCOOP. Immediately after you’re done mixing, start spooning the mixture onto the parchment lined baking sheets. You need to move quickly or else it will harden. Then let the divinity set for about 1 hour.
Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (5)

Cooking Tips

  • Don’t make on a rainy day. For some reason the humidity won’t let the divinity set right and it will look like a puddle in the photo above.
  • Sugar on edges. If the sugar starts to come up on the edges of the sauce pan, use a pastry brush dipped in hot water to wipe it down.
  • Scrape the sides. Make sure to use a spatula to scrape the sides of your mixing bowl immediately after pouring in the sugar mixture.
  • Consistency. When you’re mixing the last step, watch for a marshmallow cream consistency. If the mixture is still shiny, it’s not ready. As soon as the divinity starts to thicken and lose its shine, start testing with a spoon on the paper. Make sure that the candy mounds into a ball and doesn’t flatten. If it flattens, keep mixing on high for another minute and then test again.
  • Multiple people. Make sure to keep a close eye on the entire process. This recipe works best with 2 people helping as it moves fast and it’s easier to have one person mixing the egg whites and one person watching the candy on the stove. It also helps to have an extra person to help getting the candy onto the paper before it hardens.
Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (6)

Storing + Freezing

This homemade divinity will keep for up to 2 weeks if stored in a covered container at room temperature (I store mine in a metal tin like my grandma did). I like to add a layer of parchment or wax paper before adding the candy, so that the bottoms don’t stick to the container. You can also freeze the candy for up to 3 months.

Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (7)

More Homemade Candy Recipes

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  • Best Homemade Toffee
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  • Easy Buckeye Recipe

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Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (12)

Divinity Candy

5 from 6 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

Soft and chewy divinity candy made with just 4 simple ingredients! The sweet flavor and pillowy texture tastes just like the version grandma used to make.

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Let set: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 36

PrintRatePin

Ingredients

  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup light karo syrup
  • ¾ cup water
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

  • Line 2 baking sheets with wax or parchment paper. Place 2 smaller spoons and a knife on top (so it’s all ready to go) or grab a medium cookie scoop if you have one.

    In a large bowl of an electric mixer, add the egg whites and vanilla. Add the beater attachment and plug in the mixer so it’s ready to go.

  • In a large sauce pan, combine the sugar, karo syrup and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir constantly so it doesn’t burn.If the sugar starts to come up on the edges, use a pastry brush dipped in hot water to wipe it down. Clip a candy thermometer to the pan.

  • While the mixture is boiling, start whipping the egg whites with vanilla in the mixing bowl. Beat until a stiff peak forms. Leave the beaters on as we’ll add the sugar mixture into this bowl.

  • Once the candy mixture reaches 240°F, turn the heat to medium-high and drizzle about half the mixture SLOWLY into the bowl with the egg whites. Place the sauce pan back on medium high heat until it reaches 260°F. Scrape the downsides of the mixer and mix on high speed. When the remainder of the sugar mixture reaches 260°F, slowly pour into the egg white mixture. Scrape down the sides and then beat on high speed until the candy loses its glossy finish (about 5-10 minutes).

  • When the beaters are lifted up, the candy shouldn’t drizzle off. Test a spoonful on a piece of wax paper. If it begins to flatten, keep mixing on high and check another spoonful after a minute. Fold in pecans if desired.

  • Once it’s ready, you need to move fast or it will harden quickly. Take your spoons or cookie scoops and scoop onto the paper. Allow 1 hour to set.

  • Store in a covered container at room temperature for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Categorized as: American, Candy + Fudge, Christmas, Desserts, No-Bake

Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (13)

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

More about Jamielyn Nye

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Add a comment

17 comments

    • Susan Burnsed

    Actually you can make it on a rainy day. I never wood because it wouldn’t turn out until my mother in law said if humidity is high just remove 1tbls of water out and it does beautifully.

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      Hi Susan! Thanks for sharing your tips with us for the divinity :)

      • Reply
    • GrammaJAK

    LOL. Back in 1980 I made a batch of divinity – I don’t remember what went wrong, but it “puddled” on the wax paper overnight and spread out. I figured I had nothing to lose, scraped it off into the bowl, beat it a few more minutes, dropped it by tsp again, and it was fine. Mind you, it had cooled so I couldn’t believe it! This post made me remember and gave me a good laugh.

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime

      That’s so funny! Sounds like a happy accident :)

      • Reply
    • MaryAnn Pulu

    I make this every year and have never put in the syrup mixture until the candy thermometer has reached 260 . What’s the purpose of adding some at 240?

    • Reply
      • Jamielyn Nye

      That’s how my grandma always did it, so I follow suit :)

      • Reply
    • Linda Sellers

    Do you beat the first half of the syrup mixture that you add to the egg whites while the other half is heating up to 260? thanks.

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime

      Yes, while the sugar mixture is boiling on the stove, start whipping the egg whites with vanilla in the mixing bowl. Beat until a stiff peak forms and then stop. You can leave the beaters on because you’ll use them again when you add the sugar mixture into the bowl.

      • Reply
    • Dorothy

    I remember that my sister used to make divinity and she would leave some “white” sometimes with pecans and the other part of the batch she would stir in a few tablespoons of cherry gelatin and we would have cherry divinity. Such a good memory!

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime

      Cherry divinity sounds delicious! I’ll have to try it sometime :)

      • Reply
        • Nancy Baggerly

        that does sound good .. when would you put it in??

          • I Heart Naptime

          Once you beat the egg whites until a stiff peak forms, then you can beat in the gelatin.

        • Renee Goerger
        • Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (18)

        Be still my candy-loving heart! Thanks for the great recipe!!

        • Reply
        • wilhelmina
        • Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (19)

        This worked perfectly! I have had issues making divinity in the past an have shied away from it for a while, I am so glad I found this recipe! Now off to make another perfect batch!

        • Reply
        • Beth (Ireland) Graham

        Just like you, your grandma was a good cook. If I had to pick one recipe that most reminds me of Ina, it would be her divinity!

        • Reply
          • Jamielyn Nye

          Divinity and caramel will always remind me of my grandma Ina! Thanks for leaving a comment Beth. It’s good to hear from you!

          • Reply
            • Emmy
            • Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (20)

            I love Divinity! Merry Christmas everyone who sees this
            and a VERY Happy New Year!!!!

        Divinity Candy Recipe (4 ingredients!) - I Heart Naptime (2024)

        FAQs

        What is divinity candy made of? ›

        Divinity is a confection made from egg whites, corn syrup, and sugar. It's similar to nougat, fudge, or marshmallow. Tip: replace the sugar with brown sugar to create "sea foam." Other ingredients can be used to give the candy other tastes, like chopped dried fruit and chopped nuts.

        Does humidity affect making divinity candy? ›

        Consider this: divinity hates humidity. It's best to make divinity on a cool, dry day. If it's humid (over 50%) or rainy, the candy might end up with a more gooey, or grainy texture.

        What is the difference between meringue and divinity candy? ›

        In a meringue, the sugar syrup is cooked to about 240°F or until the sugar forms a soft, malleable ball when a spoonful is dropped in cold water. For divinity, the sugar is taken a bit further to 250°F (or the firm ball stage) where it can hold more structure.

        How long can you store divinity candy? ›

        How do you store divinity candy? Improper storing is one of our top five candy-making mistakes. To ensure it stays fresh, store your divinity candy in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks.

        Why is divinity candy so hard to make? ›

        Humidity equals wet, and wet equals candy that often won't set. Even in the cooler and less humid months, it can be a challenge to make old fashioned divinity - that being a divinity that is purely sugar, corn syrup, water, egg whites, chopped pecans, a little vanilla - and a goodly amount of elbow grease.

        Why is my divinity chewy? ›

        Corn Syrup – This is added to stop the sugar from crystalizing giving you a very smooth, chewy texture that's not grainy. Sugar – White granulated sugar is the best for this recipe, avoid brown sugar or it'll affect both the taste and look of the divinity.

        Why can't you make divinity on a rainy day? ›

        High humidity hastens the breakdown of sugar as it cools. Once the candy has cooled to the point where it can no longer evaporate moisture, it can actually begin to reabsorb moisture. This produces a softer product than may be desirable.”

        Why is my divinity runny? ›

        And don't try making divinity when the humidity is above 60%. No matter how long you beat the mixture, it will remain too runny to form into mounds.

        Why is my divinity not fluffy? ›

        There could be several reasons that your divinity did not turn out fluffy: The syrup was not at the right temperature when it was added to the egg whites. The egg white and syrup mixture was not beaten long enough. The humidity was too high.

        Do you refrigerate divinity? ›

        Store the divinity at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Make sure the environment is not humid, as excess moisture in the air will make the candy sticky.

        Why is divinity candy called divinity? ›

        It's a billowy light, super-sweet, airy candy confection and it tastes...well, divine. Hence the name.

        Is nougat the same as divinity? ›

        The only difference between making nougat and making Divinity, I saw, was that nougat requires that after blending beaten egg whites without about half of your hard-ball-stage syrup, you heat the rest to near hard-crack before blending it in. So the Divinity process is basically an easier version of the nougat process.

        Can you make divinity on a rainy day? ›

        So, the axiom: “You cannot make divinity when it's raining.” But not so today. With modern electric stand mixers, well-sealed homes against the weather, and central heat/air that help modify humidity, the candy-maker can no longer blame the weather for a bad batch of candy!

        Can candy go rancid? ›

        Yes, candy does expire, but the good news is that most types of candy are good to eat for six to 12 months,” says registered oncology dietician, Kaitlin Mckenzie. The shelf life of a candy also depends on the type of candy and where you store it.

        Does divinity candy go bad? ›

        Storage. Homemade divinity candy can go stale, so it's important to store it in an airtight container or freezer bag in a cool dry place. Consume within two weeks. Divinity candy can also be frozen for up to two months.

        Is divinity the same as marshmallow? ›

        Old fashioned divinity is a vintage recipe for a meringue-based candy that I would describe as somewhere between fudge (even though there is no chocolate in most divinity, it is often even referred to as Divinity Fudge), nougat, and marshmallow.

        What is the difference between fudge and divinity? ›

        Typically known as "divinity," this fudge is unlike your average. This is because it's a fluffy white or artificially tinted fudge. Whereas traditional fudge is made from your usual baking ingredients (sugar, butter, milk and cream) -- divinity is created out of sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, and artificial flavoring.

        Is divinity a type of nougat? ›

        Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Divinity is a nougat-like confection made with whipped egg white, corn syrup, and sugar. Optional ingredients such as flavors, chopped dried fruit and chopped nuts are frequently added.

        Is divinity candy the same as nougat? ›

        Divinity candy is an old-fashioned confection made with very simple ingredients such as sugar, egg whites, water, vanilla, and corn syrup. It is nougat-like in texture, but slightly lighter, and nuts, dried fruit, or candy are often added.

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